"Boblo Boat" set the tone. Nostalgia, so deftly realized you could almost smell the scents of the carnival. Now, the second chapter of Royce Da 5'9"s anticipated Book Of Ryan has arrived. Penultimate cut 'Stay Woke" carries the tradition as far as aesthetic is concerned, with orchestral production reminiscent of his origin story, Rock City. On that front, Frank Dukes and !llMind delivered in spades. With a vintage backdrop on deck, Royce breaks the chosen narrative to deliver a study in the art of lyricism. Blending autobiographical detail with clever wordplay, Royce manages to showcase two elements in his extensive toolkit.
"I'm five years sober, trauma from my childhood constantly haunts me till I finally cry tears over," raps Royce, alluding to one of the project's dominant themes; rediscovery of self. Don't get it misconstrued. The bars are sharper than ever. "I stuck to my promise to mama, stay focused," raps Royce. "Double entendre, I'm tryna vocally smoke ya, you will be mist."
Quotable Lyrics
I'm fly as a dive in the sky in a harnass
Anyone alive sleeping on me can die in Pajamas
Police call me a threat to society though I am a promise
I am a one of one like Isiah Thomas
You can't fathom thinkin' deep enough to sink the abyss
You think you Pac, I'm thinkin' of sinkin' your Demetrius Shipp