Layers

Detroit’s Royce da 5\'9\" is something of a rapper’s rapper: hard-working, well connected, indifferent to trends but passionately dedicated to the craft. And he brings it all together on *Layers* with textbook boom bap, as confident and cinematic as it is cool. “Highest exalted/Call me commercial?/I’m highly insulted,” he drawls on “Shine,” delivering a workingman’s credo that surfaces again on the album’s title track, alongside Pusha T and Rick Ross: “I philosophize with wise words from learned lessons/In my world, mistakes turns to blessings.” Not that he’s too humble to flex when he’s ready—just listen to “Hard.”

Royce 5’9” has done his most visible rapping as a plus-one. Trying to move beyond that supporting role, he loads his sixth solo album with big-time producers, skits, and careful introspection.

After more than two decades in the rap game, Detroit's Royce 5'9" (aka Royce Da 5'9") has often been celebrated for his guest verses and col...