It takes time to digest an album, especially as dense as this, I'd rather they take their time after letting the music sit with them lol whats the rush
I was hoping they would talk about the antivax lines but overall still a great. I loved this project but those lines... Didn't really make me want to replay it much less though. Hella replay value
The only thing that's been worrying me for a minute now is how well-informed and knowledgeable rappers who approach complex topics with very valid points and perspectives, actually spread misinformation about vaccines and it really takes away from the music. From Nas to Freddie Gibbs and now Royce... Being anti-vaxx in 2020 shouldn't be a thing and actually makes me second guess everything they're saying as fake woke takes when it comes to serious matters 'cause it's hard for me to take anti-vaxxers seriously tbh, which is sad because I've been a fan of some of these dudes since I was basically a child. With that being said, this one is solid, not blown away by it but it was cool.
I think it's more of being conscious of the Tuskegee experiments & Henrietta Lacks, which aren't fake at all than just the flu vaccines. It's an awareness of a serious misconduct & attack on Black people by our own government
Ricardo Gonçalves yeah i agree. I wish ppl close to them will tell them how much worse it will be if not esp with this corona spreading But overall it’s harmless cause ppl should not be getting medical advice from rappers But yeah cringe
That's also his position as the father of a kid with autism, if he wholeheartedly feels that was the cause of his kids autism after doing research then that's just how he feels, agree to disagree and rock with the rest, you're never going to agree with everything someone else says lol
You're not wrong, but you saying they're fake woke because of their stance on vaccines ignores a great deal of context about the medical practices used on minorities in the US. I disagree with the position, but this isn't like when suburban moms peep a couple of blogs and think vaccines will make their kids retarded. It's a byproduct of the same historical legacy that's lead to any number of conspiracy theories popping up in hip hop over the years, and I think you should look into that aspect of it before you conclude that you cant take their views on other topics seriously
@@ishiggy2577 Okay, maybe that's my bad and I didn't express myself in the clearest way. I'm not saying I don't take them seriously or that they're fake woke per se, I'm still a fan and I still wholeheartedly stand behind a lot of what they've brought to light, just that it always makes me reconsider all that whenever I hear that particular stance or any other that may sound completely asinine to the reality of the world today. It does get weird afterwards and I can't help it, it does come off as if you don't know what you're talking about. I am well aware of scientific and medical misconduct that was laid upon African-Americans, I had looked into the mentioned above Tuskegee and the HeLa cases before, which had international coverage, for example, and I can empathize with the distrust and the disgust, I understand those remarks having a fucked up historical background but I still don't think one thing should lead to another. Even less the "vaccines causes autism" take, which actually has a suburban mom going online tone to it. Again, I can empathize with the pain and the need to direct it somewhere but there's not even a proven correlation there, so, there's that. As of 2020, vaccines are necessary for your immune system to build the necessary antibodies to withstand most viruses, singledhandedly erasing some of them in most countries in the West since we had access to the most important ones for our survival for the longest. It is one of the main reasons why the human species managed to basically double its population in the last 3 decades or so and drastically lower child death rates. To negate it, even if it is due to past inhumane acts, is going backwards and if such remarks gain traction, you're basically setting some people up from generations to come with an even tougher time dealing not only with the threats that already exist today but also new viruses and evolved variations of older ones that regular antibiotics and shots that we already have today may be able to kill. And that's basically why I feel how I feel and I said what I said about noticing them tackle such a topic in that way. I'm not trying to beat people over the head with it or sound as if I operate in some kind of superior moral ground but it's seriously hard for me to not be bothered by it.
He doesn't need to drop something better than this, I would appreciate a whole different album and he's only getting better so he's def going to drop another album.
I loved the album Royce is such a dope a rapper.... My favorite line it was Whoever Superman, I got kryptonite in these hands / But I'd rather soup-a-man, leave you liquified with these cans /I don't care if you rap niggas is trendin' topic, your shit is garbage / You couldn't make a classic out of that trash if you had Brenda drop it..... Bruh😱😱😱😱😱
My favorite lines was simply: A rich man wrote this wit a poe man's focus/The sick man quote this but the dope man sold this. Rare that I actually feel a bar physically. My chest deadass felt pain
Bob Bob I get that vibe too. I think it’s because they captured a similar essence, and it was in their own way respectively. This album made me a fan of Royce
Fantastic album, just kinda wish there was less anti-vax shit haha, granted I get he's coming from something that happened in his life with his family, so I see why that's in his mind
Since Royce has become sober, gone to therapy, and reflected on his family and life.....his content has improved tremendously. His music is incredibly relatable and well thought out. His artistic vision on display for many people to see (finally). I knew from the moment he called this album "The Allegory" that it would be something special. I have to go back and listen again and again. If we know anything about a literary device, it's that you have to analyze it. The meaning behind so many these tracks will more clearly unveiled as we continue to listen to the tracks. Royce is the type of individual that I would gladly sit down and have a conversation with.
Totally agree with the “grown up rap” comment. I’m 36 years old and have listened to hip hop primarily for most of my life. This sounded like an adult making something other adults could appreciate. Strange how rare that is but this album stands out because of it. Artful, intelligent and layered work. Sadly this probably won’t get as much attention as the next Migos excretion. Hip hop fans need to celebrate this album. I do.
Royce isn't doing anything new or innovative. He's literally doing the exact same thing that EVERY OTHER "woke" black artist has done for decades now. The only saving grace is that Royce is a dope ass rapper, and a pretty damn good producer, but you can miss me with that anti-vaxxer hotep bullshit. I'm a microbiologist who does medical research for the good of all humanity. Fuck Royce! Sad so many people are going to be influenced by this album because of Royce's position/credibility in hip hop.
How y’all not hear White Gold before, when you JUST reviewed Em’s album with all 3 of them on You Gon’ Learn? Yall should’ve listened to that album more cause you kinda slept on it for real
Therockbestwrestler they really did sleep on it. It was top notch lyricism. But they got caught up on “a few bad hooks” and “a few corny lines”. Makes me think they didn’t catch much of anything on that album.
I know it's corny, but man, I really gotta thank you for all the work you guys have been putting into this. It can't be easy to put out this many reviews this steadily, just know we all really appreciate it.
Especially if you make the calculations. I don't know if their stuff is really able to pay them yet. Cause they still don't have as many followers as, for example, Fantano. Thats really shame cause you can see the guys put a lot of love and effort in this. If they only would have more subscribers, this channel would even be more awesome I guess.
I really like that you mentioned those 3. Each are even more impactful when looking at who made them. Kendrick showed that he was going to remain true to him with all his success which has been a big TDE thing. He hit the world with serious topics and settled none on it. Lupe showed that when he and basically any artist can truly create the art they want, (with no hindrance from outside forces like a label or worrying about gaining new fans and instead focusing on the core fans) it can turn out as a masterpiece that demands multiple replays. And Royce showed that like Lu growth is monumental in everything including their art. Royce showed that like Layers and Book of Ryan when he has a goal in mind he will execute it to his liking and hit the nail on the head.
2020 has been fantastic so far for Hip Hop. Royce and Em came with 2 incredible projects. Wayne came with a good project. Im sure Kendrick is gonna drop something. Its gonna be a dope year
Royce has my album of the year so far. Boldy James, Mac Miller, & Denzel Curry came with some strong projects, but none of them slapped me the way The Allegory did.
You should have spoken on the antivax lines. It's not just simple ignorance. It's harmful to everyone when it's spread by someone respected. It blew my mind to hear someone who seems to understand so much about the world spout that garbage.
Bangin this in souther Cali..Album of the year so far...I finnng Love this album so many life lessons learned from here knowledge dropped in my life a grown man with kids we Needed this in the game my life needed this The youth needs 2 hear this any1 lost in life just put this on and u will c a better perspective on life thanks dead end hip thank u royce very inspiring niggas put this on and get right take care of your kids
@mac Stanford em album was very sick murdering shit on there I agree..Royce's album is just a complete album 4 me on some grown man stuff really educated me on subjects both are really good
I really enjoyed the album a great body of work. Royce said that he didn't make the best beats but the right beats, that's the perfect statement in regards to the production.
@Iroquois Pliskin I work in medical research. I know what goes into clinical trials for vaccine testing. The numerous studies done across different countries that show no link between vaccines and autism is more than valid and sound enough. If you're asking for 100% proof, that will never happen because nothing in medicine is proven to be 100% safe. This is what you dumbasses don't understand. It's about benefit vs. cost, and the benefits of a vaccinated population far outweigh the costs of a handful of people having bad reactions. Royce himself basically admitted that he's intellectually dishonest when it comes to this anyway because he studies "what [he] want[s] to believe." FOH with that bullshit.
Royce been in the game for over 20 years and he just now delivered his best album, his last album was his best album. This man is doing great things. He a GOAT for real
Great review fellas... I definitely learned something from this album. Royce continues to amaze me, not only as an emcee but now as a producer and teacher....
lendra2010 saying that they would have agreed with Royce’s blatantly anti-science take just because they are black is pretty fucking dumb dude. You can acknowledge the terrible things done by the US healthcare system towards black people now and throughout history, which are very real and disgusting, without extrapolating that into promoting blatantly false propaganda that is not only not based in any scientific consensus but is also extremely harmful in general. I mean Jesus Christ, we’re in the middle of a fucking global pandemic right now, it should be pretty fucking obvious what kind of danger spreading an anti-vax ideology can have. Furthermore, at least in the US (I’m not educated on other places) COVID is disproportionately harming black people, to spread the anti-vax message will only lead to more racial injustice in terms of health outcomes in the US.
Man, I'm so blessed to have stumbled across this channel! As an old school hip hop head that lost some interest in the 00s and then had my passion reignited more recently by Royce, Griselda, JID, etc. it is so refreshing to go back and watch these reviews. This album is a masterpiece and it made me laugh to hear Myke mention Tricked as the only track he didn't feel quite so much, and for pretty much the same reason I felt a similar way. Great job guys, I look forward to checking out more of these reviews!
Del'Ray Coles I only disagree because Field Negro and I Don’t Age have the same beat so it wouldn’t mesh well. But otherwise, you 100% correct. It would’ve been perfect.
I personally absolutely loved the album. The anti-vax takes are irresponsible from someone otherwise intelligent like Royce but I can see why he would feel how he feels. Album is really fucking amazing outside of those two bars and that skit.
Myke C-Town Nah not at all bro. But imo the allegory of the cave by Plato is more so about the idea, that what one sees as our objective reality is filtered and edited. The cave men who sees the shadow on the wall does not understand that it is 1. a shadow of an object and 2. he himself can perceive this object, once he is outside of his cave, and by that study and understand what the shadow is/was and how it is connected to the object projecting the shadow. Royce definitely put out a project that takes A LOT of research and studying new info. Great review and album!
@@ArmLegLegArmHead47 Ah word up. I always focused more on the idea of the puppeteers behind the prisoners and how that fosters the idea that what we see at face value isn't always fact. That things can be manipulated without us knowing it, even though we do have the option to figure this stuff out. We just have to do it. But your second point was totally forgotten by me! It's been soooooo long since I've read about this stuff. So thank you for the extra info!
Myke C-Town It’s all good, you’re welcome. I definitely need to listen to the album with a focused mind...Royce is really a different level of MC at this point.
Ey guys im not really into most of the things u review and in general not such an intense music listener that i know every album released past years etc. BUT I just love ur conversations, to me it doesnt even matter what its about. I just love the dynamic of the group the very solid argumentation and different oppinions. I dont know since when im following but just watching u guys discuss with so much passion is always astonishing!!! Much love from germany !
Damn DEHH on another level. Just throwing us so many great videos. Glad I didn’t have to wait long for this one. Royce is the truth. Criminally underrated
I’m really appreciating the rate these uploads are coming in at. And yes this Royce record is special. It will be mentioned in many Top 5 and Top 10 lists for sure.
Plato uses the cave allegory to explain man with and without philosophy. Man without philosophy is chained to the world without knowing the metaphysical forms beyond it which dictate and govern what we perceive of the world. With philosophical understanding, he comes to know the world beyond its illusory, material appearance. It's a far more sophisticated thought than any harebrained conspiracy theory.
Y’all do a great job inspiring the younger gen with the way y’all break down albums. I strive to always get better and hopefully one day I write bars that y’all decide to dissect. ✊🏽
For real. It’s so cohesive and the lyricism is excellent. The production is a great fit for Denzel too. Of course I’m a little biased because that record got my metalhead friend way more into rap. He basically hasn’t turned it off since I showed it to him.
Franklyn Perez I guess they don’t care for him anymore, they skipped Zuu and I doubt they’re gonna do unlocked since they just did allegory and that came out last Friday but unlocked came out at the beginning of the month
Rahsaan these people sometimes review big artist but most of the time it’s literally underground rappers that only they like, unlocked is so good and so was zuu but they don’t give it a shot
I cant believe Royce actually made an All-Time Great LP album like I felt he could. I know PRhyme is a classic but doing his own production and it being an LP. So proud of Royce da 5'9. I'm just hoping he get his flowers whenever his time is up in life. One of the greatest MCs ever
Great review, really made me look forward to hear it. Already have it in my playlist but didn't have time for it yet. Royce has always been fire but in the last couple of years he really evolved. He is easily one of the illest out there but still doesn't get enough mainstream recognition. Whatever he has the whole package now, he can rhyme his ass off, has bars and enough to say.
Interesting part of Plato's allegory I think Myke left out: the prisoners are chained up and unable to actually turn around and see that there are puppeteers (or whatever) behind them. Royce is tryin to do with this album what Plato thought philosophical education was to do: free people so that not only do they see that there are puppeteers behind them, but also so that they see the Sun, which is what's really real. Dope shit, Royce. I think the execution of it on some things is a little whack (some of his ideas are def just shadows, man) but it's dope as hell.
@@devzeppilin Shoulda been clearer: I think some of the things that Royce thanks are REAL ideas are actually shadows. There def are some intentional shadows on the album. You're right on that
The next part of the story is when the rescuer unchains the prisoners and begins to lead them up the tunnel towards the light. The farther they get from their comfortable prison of shadows, the more scared they become. One prisoner decides to pick up a stone and club the rescuer over the head, killing him instantly. The prisoners then return to the comfort and safety of the cave and return themselves to their chains. Sorry to bum you out but thats really how it goes.
Overall really good project but i feel the second half is the real stand out( From Overcomer down to the end). Not that the other tracks were bad but the songs got significantly better at this point.
Key thing about the allegory of the cave- The people who are in the cave are strapped to chairs and cannot get out.They can't turn their heads to see. In the story, someone escapes sees the truth of their reality- that everything they see is just a shadow of something else. They return to their prison and try to free their fellow captives. The other captives dont believe them and kill the person that escaped and return to watching the shadows. Specifically, it was Plato talking about how people killed his teacher, Socrates. That's just some more context for folks that thought the story in the beginning is interesting. DEHH and Royce, thanks!
Let’s see if this early year album will make it to their end of the year lists. Usually early year projects get forgotten about. Main reason why I like that this channel also do mid year top 5s.
Tricked is one of the best rap songs I've heard in a minute. I'd love to have a spiritual/religious conversation with Royce but, I think this is my favorite Royce album and his best. And I said the same about layers and the same about book of Ryan. He's on a great run. Another win for the city.
Barrel kicking like it's Snoop in Manhattan 😯😯 Really enjoyed Vince being on this album. That's real dope considering Eminem and Vince had their lil back and forth.
after listening to the allegory i noticed the face value factor that yall was talking about was kind of like what j cole's last 2 albums especially kod.great project was really impressed.
The pendulum OverComer Upside down Dope man Fubu Rhinestone in Ryan du rag Young world Black Savage Thou Shall I play forever I love the whole album, but they’re my favorite songs. I agree with Myke that Tricked was the only song I didn’t like. But I’m not a huge Crooked I fan either though 🤷🏻♂️
I love these guys, and I love their reviews. Having said that, it's disappointing when albums with substance like ADD-2 "Jim Crow: The Musical", and Kemba's "Gilda" are not even reviewed but Royce gets this super deep dive into his concept. Royce has bedm top tier lyricist for a while, and now he is entering a space that other rappers have lived in and were downgraded for. Now that Jay, Royce, and others who have become mainstream with these messages they are more palatable and ultimately elevated. It's really frustrating. Mickey Factz, Homeboy Sandman, I Am Many, and so many others have made amazing conceptual projects that delve into the very topics that are being praised but sadly go ignored.
@@redpillproductions7187 you might want to reread what I actually wrote. I dont need to give Royce his flowers. I have purchased every single Royce album, and know full well that his best projects are "Street Hop" and "PRhyme".
@@ericdavis1758 that's perfectly fine that you don't like the album. We all like/dislike albuns for differing reasons. If my point was missing, it wasn't to have consent on what we all like. Moreso, it was to highlight the intricacies in hip-hop albums. Kemba is discussing loss in a way that many do not in hip-hop. He is doing it uniquely and with ultra lyricism. Without being mundane or repetitive he is exploring how the hood leads to disease: mentality, physically, and spiritually. What I am asking for is a deep dive into all of the albums, like them or not. The issue that Myke and Ken bring up doesnt just apply to Royce and Kendrick. It applies to Sylvan Lacks, Skyzoo, KA, and multiple other rappers. They are not given the respectful study and researching of lyricism, conceptually, or exposure that other more accepted rappers are. Period.
And the idea wasn't even well executed... What "knowledge" and "awakening" is Royce bringing here that hasn't already been done by EVERY OTHER "woke" black rapper for the past few decades?
Royce dropped four singles for this one. I took the Ice Cream skit a little different. I viewed it as Royce saying a lot of women doing the only fans stuff and acting one way on social media are acting different in real life, but the ice cream man not caring could be what he was going for. The track You Gon' Learn from Em's album was produced by Royce and was meant for this album, but Royce gave it to Eminem.
I was like feefo where i heard Royce rap and i knew he could spit, but i never was a fan, now with book of Ryan and the allegory i have become a huge fan. Im 21, and i learned things i didn't know and have been playing this nonstop since its dropped. Royce is a legend 🐐
I thought I was the only one who thought this album ain’t feel like 22 tracks 😂😂. Royce out did himself...to me Layers is Royce best project but man this one right here is fighting for that #1 spot. It’s so many gems in this album it’s crazy. The fact that this man is getting better with age is scary. He’s already top 5 ever in my opinion and the fact he producing now .....FUUUUCCCCKKKK!!!!!! What can’t Royce do 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Feefo: "I want to get the numbers right"
*gets numbers wrong*
Snyde lol, that shit cracked me up
fake news Feefo back at it
@12:48 let’s see, like this post of you’re under 23 years old and listened to this album in it’s entirety. I think the kids are listening
im 15 years old ive been listening to royce since streethop
Currently their video is at 15k views and your comment is at 20 likes lol. The kids arent listening
NATE E it shows that 21 kids are listening 🤷🏻♂️
21
I’m 20 and not even American and damn near cried after that “Black People in America” skit. If this album is really for us, then he got us.
Oh y’all getting quicker
I've noticed that too
Fr, I was expecting this to drop in a couple of weeks lol
Faster than Fantano, they fast af boiiii
It takes time to digest an album, especially as dense as this, I'd rather they take their time after letting the music sit with them lol whats the rush
I’m starting to think they getting music sent to them early.
Beezy's eyes are shining, that man is loving life with this album
I LOVE I LOVE LOVE LOVE!
FELLOW DETROIT REPRESENTER
Produced By Khirey Akeem oh no.
You know it's real when Beezy gets enthusiastic and starts spilling the words during a review. Much love and respect DEHH
I was hoping they would talk about the antivax lines but overall still a great. I loved this project but those lines... Didn't really make me want to replay it much less though. Hella replay value
Lol people really trip off difference in opinion on the antivax thing, as if that takes away how good the music because you disagree.
@@devzeppilin its not even opinion tho the shit he was saying has been debunked and disproven years ago. Its a fact.
Same, that and the idea of a black exodus to Africa (Why give white nationalists what they want?), both small warts on an otherwise flawless album.
@@devzeppilin that's like saying me encouraging you to drink bleach is just a "difference of opinion"
It's an allegory
DEHH killing it with the regular uploads!
When Benny said “butcher coming ____” I was in the car and was scared shitless.
Will Carlson you can’t even type the n word in a quote?
Jacob Hartwell I mean I prefer not too as a white male. I’m not making a political stand by it tho. Just a personal preference.
@@willcarlson1120 I respect it.
I respect you censoring that word man. As a black male I don't say it either. But it's so prevalent these days
Jacob Hartwell it’s best to just not say it at all.
The only thing that's been worrying me for a minute now is how well-informed and knowledgeable rappers who approach complex topics with very valid points and perspectives, actually spread misinformation about vaccines and it really takes away from the music. From Nas to Freddie Gibbs and now Royce...
Being anti-vaxx in 2020 shouldn't be a thing and actually makes me second guess everything they're saying as fake woke takes when it comes to serious matters 'cause it's hard for me to take anti-vaxxers seriously tbh, which is sad because I've been a fan of some of these dudes since I was basically a child.
With that being said, this one is solid, not blown away by it but it was cool.
I think it's more of being conscious of the Tuskegee experiments & Henrietta Lacks, which aren't fake at all than just the flu vaccines. It's an awareness of a serious misconduct & attack on Black people by our own government
Ricardo Gonçalves yeah i agree. I wish ppl close to them will tell them how much worse it will be if not esp with this corona spreading
But overall it’s harmless cause ppl should not be getting medical advice from rappers
But yeah cringe
That's also his position as the father of a kid with autism, if he wholeheartedly feels that was the cause of his kids autism after doing research then that's just how he feels, agree to disagree and rock with the rest, you're never going to agree with everything someone else says lol
You're not wrong, but you saying they're fake woke because of their stance on vaccines ignores a great deal of context about the medical practices used on minorities in the US. I disagree with the position, but this isn't like when suburban moms peep a couple of blogs and think vaccines will make their kids retarded. It's a byproduct of the same historical legacy that's lead to any number of conspiracy theories popping up in hip hop over the years, and I think you should look into that aspect of it before you conclude that you cant take their views on other topics seriously
@@ishiggy2577 Okay, maybe that's my bad and I didn't express myself in the clearest way.
I'm not saying I don't take them seriously or that they're fake woke per se, I'm still a fan and I still wholeheartedly stand behind a lot of what they've brought to light, just that it always makes me reconsider all that whenever I hear that particular stance or any other that may sound completely asinine to the reality of the world today. It does get weird afterwards and I can't help it, it does come off as if you don't know what you're talking about.
I am well aware of scientific and medical misconduct that was laid upon African-Americans, I had looked into the mentioned above Tuskegee and the HeLa cases before, which had international coverage, for example, and I can empathize with the distrust and the disgust, I understand those remarks having a fucked up historical background but I still don't think one thing should lead to another.
Even less the "vaccines causes autism" take, which actually has a suburban mom going online tone to it. Again, I can empathize with the pain and the need to direct it somewhere but there's not even a proven correlation there, so, there's that.
As of 2020, vaccines are necessary for your immune system to build the necessary antibodies to withstand most viruses, singledhandedly erasing some of them in most countries in the West since we had access to the most important ones for our survival for the longest. It is one of the main reasons why the human species managed to basically double its population in the last 3 decades or so and drastically lower child death rates.
To negate it, even if it is due to past inhumane acts, is going backwards and if such remarks gain traction, you're basically setting some people up from generations to come with an even tougher time dealing not only with the threats that already exist today but also new viruses and evolved variations of older ones that regular antibiotics and shots that we already have today may be able to kill.
And that's basically why I feel how I feel and I said what I said about noticing them tackle such a topic in that way.
I'm not trying to beat people over the head with it or sound as if I operate in some kind of superior moral ground but it's seriously hard for me to not be bothered by it.
All we did was slang dope
Doot Doot Doot Doot Doot 🔫💥💥💥💥💥💥
Ayo
Crowd chants: ALL WE DID WAS SLANG DOPE
@@SYMShutYoMouth god bles you bro
AHHHHH AHHHHH AHHHHH AHHHHH AHHH AHHHH AHHHH AHHH.. AHHHH
He doesn't need to drop something better than this, I would appreciate a whole different album and he's only getting better so he's def going to drop another album.
I loved the album Royce is such a dope a rapper.... My favorite line it was
Whoever Superman, I got kryptonite in these hands / But I'd rather soup-a-man, leave you liquified with these cans /I don't care if you rap niggas is trendin' topic, your shit is garbage / You couldn't make a classic out of that trash if you had Brenda drop it..... Bruh😱😱😱😱😱
Thou Shall, yeah that's what I was waiting to hear them quote too. From that Russell Wilson line all the way to this👆 these bars had me on repeat
My favorite lines was simply:
A rich man wrote this wit a poe man's focus/The sick man quote this but the dope man sold this.
Rare that I actually feel a bar physically. My chest deadass felt pain
Feel like this is Royce’s To Pimp A Butterfly did anyone else get that kind of vibe?
Bob Bob I get that vibe too. I think it’s because they captured a similar essence, and it was in their own way respectively. This album made me a fan of Royce
Bob Bob yes thats actually the first album I thought of midway through the album.
That's high fucking praise. Between the review and this comment, I gotta check it out
Yep, from first two tracks I started getting that vibe
Fantastic album, just kinda wish there was less anti-vax shit haha, granted I get he's coming from something that happened in his life with his family, so I see why that's in his mind
Since Royce has become sober, gone to therapy, and reflected on his family and life.....his content has improved tremendously. His music is incredibly relatable and well thought out. His artistic vision on display for many people to see (finally).
I knew from the moment he called this album "The Allegory" that it would be something special. I have to go back and listen again and again. If we know anything about a literary device, it's that you have to analyze it. The meaning behind so many these tracks will more clearly unveiled as we continue to listen to the tracks. Royce is the type of individual that I would gladly sit down and have a conversation with.
He probably could’ve always produced but he was fucked up all the time man... this is incredible
Totally agree with the “grown up rap” comment. I’m 36 years old and have listened to hip hop primarily for most of my life. This sounded like an adult making something other adults could appreciate. Strange how rare that is but this album stands out because of it. Artful, intelligent and layered work. Sadly this probably won’t get as much attention as the next Migos excretion. Hip hop fans need to celebrate this album. I do.
Royce isn't doing anything new or innovative. He's literally doing the exact same thing that EVERY OTHER "woke" black artist has done for decades now. The only saving grace is that Royce is a dope ass rapper, and a pretty damn good producer, but you can miss me with that anti-vaxxer hotep bullshit. I'm a microbiologist who does medical research for the good of all humanity. Fuck Royce! Sad so many people are going to be influenced by this album because of Royce's position/credibility in hip hop.
@@loganleatherman7647 damn bro you must be busy now, look how quick the world changes
Album of the year so far
Knew that this album would be dope after hearing Field Nergo but. Album was better than I thought it'll be. Royce smokes these beats too.
I wish Field Negro was on the album
FIELD NEGROSSSS yooooo I swear to god that's the first thing I thought of after seeing the tracklist bruh that track was profound asf
that was fast boys !! i expected this to drop in about another week. y'all killing it this year !!!
How y’all not hear White Gold before, when you JUST reviewed Em’s album with all 3 of them on You Gon’ Learn? Yall should’ve listened to that album more cause you kinda slept on it for real
word
Therockbestwrestler And White Gold was on AE by Danny and a few other projects they’ve reviewed
And that was an amazing hook on You Gon' Learn
Cause that album forgettable as fuck lol
Therockbestwrestler they really did sleep on it. It was top notch lyricism. But they got caught up on “a few bad hooks” and “a few corny lines”. Makes me think they didn’t catch much of anything on that album.
album of the year for me so far.
It holds up 2 months later lol
Elzhi GOTTA DROP man...Detroit been holding it down for a LOOOOONG time now
True facts, shout out Noveliss and csf, apollo brown, black milk, elzhi, boldy james, danny brown
To name a few
Hell yeah
Phonte said it best. This ain't like sports where you lose a step as you get older. You can be 40 plus and still give these young dudes buckets.
I know it's corny, but man, I really gotta thank you for all the work you guys have been putting into this. It can't be easy to put out this many reviews this steadily, just know we all really appreciate it.
Especially if you make the calculations. I don't know if their stuff is really able to pay them yet. Cause they still don't have as many followers as, for example, Fantano. Thats really shame cause you can see the guys put a lot of love and effort in this. If they only would have more subscribers, this channel would even be more awesome I guess.
TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY.DROGAS WAVE. THE ALLEGORY PROBABLY THE 3 MOST POWERFUL ALBUMS THIS LAST 5 YEARS.
tradez401 totally agree.
Drogas fkn wave bruh. I'm glad you mentioned that classic...though comparing the 3 is an interesting debate 🤔
I really like that you mentioned those 3. Each are even more impactful when looking at who made them. Kendrick showed that he was going to remain true to him with all his success which has been a big TDE thing. He hit the world with serious topics and settled none on it. Lupe showed that when he and basically any artist can truly create the art they want, (with no hindrance from outside forces like a label or worrying about gaining new fans and instead focusing on the core fans) it can turn out as a masterpiece that demands multiple replays. And Royce showed that like Lu growth is monumental in everything including their art. Royce showed that like Layers and Book of Ryan when he has a goal in mind he will execute it to his liking and hit the nail on the head.
Top 5 most powerful albums for me is:
1. To Pimp A Butterfly
2. The Allegory
3. Tetsuo & Youth
4. Drogas: Wave
5. All Amerikkkan Bada$$
ABSOLUTELY
2020 has been fantastic so far for Hip Hop. Royce and Em came with 2 incredible projects. Wayne came with a good project. Im sure Kendrick is gonna drop something. Its gonna be a dope year
Kind of low standards but OK
@@98izzark69 nah not really. Try again tho.
@@Rassmaster Em and Wayne's projects incredible? Nah
Em's album I can see being incredible
But not that Wayne shit. Mid asf
BornStellar em shit ain’t incredible relax lmao
*Guys what are ya talkin' 'bout ❓❓ , White Gold was already featured on "You gon' learn"*
Royce has my album of the year so far. Boldy James, Mac Miller, & Denzel Curry came with some strong projects, but none of them slapped me the way The Allegory did.
You should have spoken on the antivax lines. It's not just simple ignorance. It's harmful to everyone when it's spread by someone respected. It blew my mind to hear someone who seems to understand so much about the world spout that garbage.
Royce is at his apex after all these years.....A real skilled emcee mastering his craft in a similar way Black Thought has over the years.
Bangin this in souther Cali..Album of the year so far...I finnng Love this album so many life lessons learned from here knowledge dropped in my life a grown man with kids we Needed this in the game my life needed this The youth needs 2 hear this any1 lost in life just put this on and u will c a better perspective on life thanks dead end hip thank u royce very inspiring niggas put this on and get right take care of your kids
I 100% agree
@@millenniummind5593 word Godbless
@mac Stanford em album was very sick murdering shit on there I agree..Royce's album is just a complete album 4 me on some grown man stuff really educated me on subjects both are really good
@mac Stanford Em's album was trash
I really enjoyed the album a great body of work. Royce said that he didn't make the best beats but the right beats, that's the perfect statement in regards to the production.
This is quick!!! Royce had verses on this album that made me rewind it back cause they was so 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Royce Da Fine’Wine” at it again
More like Royce da I'm Blind after those anti-vaxxer bars.
@Iroquois Pliskin I work in medical research. I know what goes into clinical trials for vaccine testing. The numerous studies done across different countries that show no link between vaccines and autism is more than valid and sound enough. If you're asking for 100% proof, that will never happen because nothing in medicine is proven to be 100% safe. This is what you dumbasses don't understand. It's about benefit vs. cost, and the benefits of a vaccinated population far outweigh the costs of a handful of people having bad reactions.
Royce himself basically admitted that he's intellectually dishonest when it comes to this anyway because he studies "what [he] want[s] to believe." FOH with that bullshit.
@Mindya Binnus that vaccines cause autism? That's been disproved since the late 90's
Royce been in the game for over 20 years and he just now delivered his best album, his last album was his best album. This man is doing great things. He a GOAT for real
And prior to that layers was his best, and prior to that prhyme was his best. Royce is too illy
@@elijahblack7167 prhyme is not a solo album
@@king.ozzymandias in terms of rapping, yes, it is.
@@elijahblack7167 wtf does that even mean? That makes no sense. Just cuz he rapped on it doesnt make it his album. It's his and Premo's
This album doesn't hold a candle to Book of Ryan.
*Y'all need to review D Smoke album "Black Habits" it's the best project I've heard so far this year.*
Great review fellas... I definitely learned something from this album. Royce continues to amaze me, not only as an emcee but now as a producer and teacher....
@16:18 I don’t think an Em verse is really needed for this album, no offense to Em
You Gon' Learn was meant to be here but they agreed to put it on Em's record instead
royce switched his style the way Kobe as #8 went to 24 and switched his game.
I wish you guys had talked about his take on vaccines....dope review though just would have appreciated to hear your take on it
lendra2010 saying that they would have agreed with Royce’s blatantly anti-science take just because they are black is pretty fucking dumb dude. You can acknowledge the terrible things done by the US healthcare system towards black people now and throughout history, which are very real and disgusting, without extrapolating that into promoting blatantly false propaganda that is not only not based in any scientific consensus but is also extremely harmful in general. I mean Jesus Christ, we’re in the middle of a fucking global pandemic right now, it should be pretty fucking obvious what kind of danger spreading an anti-vax ideology can have. Furthermore, at least in the US (I’m not educated on other places) COVID is disproportionately harming black people, to spread the anti-vax message will only lead to more racial injustice in terms of health outcomes in the US.
Man, I'm so blessed to have stumbled across this channel! As an old school hip hop head that lost some interest in the 00s and then had my passion reignited more recently by Royce, Griselda, JID, etc. it is so refreshing to go back and watch these reviews. This album is a masterpiece and it made me laugh to hear Myke mention Tricked as the only track he didn't feel quite so much, and for pretty much the same reason I felt a similar way. Great job guys, I look forward to checking out more of these reviews!
Nickel out here in season 20 plus giving knowledge and insane bars. I'm dubbing him LeRoyce James!!
I don't think em needed to be on this album. Having em on the skit was perfect. Besides, Royce was on 3 tracks on ems album
Field Negro would've been perfect on this album.
Del'Ray Coles real spit!!!
Del'Ray Coles I only disagree because Field Negro and I Don’t Age have the same beat so it wouldn’t mesh well. But otherwise, you 100% correct. It would’ve been perfect.
Ken looking like its 2012
Predictions:
Beezy really likes it cuz Royce is from Detroit
Ken thinks it's ok
Feefo likes it
Myke likes it
Nope. Everybody thought it was dope in the end :)
That On the Block with Oswin Benjamin is 🔥🔥🔥
I personally absolutely loved the album. The anti-vax takes are irresponsible from someone otherwise intelligent like Royce but I can see why he would feel how he feels. Album is really fucking amazing outside of those two bars and that skit.
Dope, well balanced project...TOTAL MASTERPIECE 🔥🔥🔥
I like when myke gets in that eclectic reference bag. that was dope.
FUBU the best track on this album
2nd imo behind thou shall
Conway caught bodies with that verse 🖊💨
Myke's explanation of the allegory of the cave 😂😂😂
Snyde I really loved his explanation
Haha! Was it wrong? That was always the way I understood it but I've been out of school for a minute so I may have misremembered it...
Myke C-Town Nah not at all bro. But imo the allegory of the cave by Plato is more so about the idea, that what one sees as our objective reality is filtered and edited. The cave men who sees the shadow on the wall does not understand that it is 1. a shadow of an object and 2. he himself can perceive this object, once he is outside of his cave, and by that study and understand what the shadow is/was and how it is connected to the object projecting the shadow. Royce definitely put out a project that takes A LOT of research and studying new info. Great review and album!
@@ArmLegLegArmHead47 Ah word up. I always focused more on the idea of the puppeteers behind the prisoners and how that fosters the idea that what we see at face value isn't always fact. That things can be manipulated without us knowing it, even though we do have the option to figure this stuff out. We just have to do it. But your second point was totally forgotten by me! It's been soooooo long since I've read about this stuff. So thank you for the extra info!
Myke C-Town It’s all good, you’re welcome. I definitely need to listen to the album with a focused mind...Royce is really a different level of MC at this point.
The only thing that did not let me enjoy this project at his fullest was the whole anti-vax vibe .
Bro that was max 2 songs 1bar each
@Uncluded lmao what did i miss ?
@Uncluded but he need to stop this anti vax stuff though
Ey guys im not really into most of the things u review and in general not such an intense music listener that i know every album released past years etc.
BUT I just love ur conversations, to me it doesnt even matter what its about.
I just love the dynamic of the group the very solid argumentation and different oppinions.
I dont know since when im following but just watching u guys discuss with so much passion is always astonishing!!!
Much love from germany !
Damn DEHH on another level. Just throwing us so many great videos. Glad I didn’t have to wait long for this one. Royce is the truth. Criminally underrated
Been waiting on this since before the album even dropped
I’m really appreciating the rate these uploads are coming in at. And yes this Royce record is special. It will be mentioned in many Top 5 and Top 10 lists for sure.
Plato uses the cave allegory to explain man with and without philosophy. Man without philosophy is chained to the world without knowing the metaphysical forms beyond it which dictate and govern what we perceive of the world. With philosophical understanding, he comes to know the world beyond its illusory, material appearance. It's a far more sophisticated thought than any harebrained conspiracy theory.
Y’all do a great job inspiring the younger gen with the way y’all break down albums. I strive to always get better and hopefully one day I write bars that y’all decide to dissect. ✊🏽
I thought the exact same thing as Beezy. If this was Kendrick it would be put on a pedestal. Its an insane project!
i envy new subscribers going back to watch old videos. experiencing C-Town's craziness for the first time is a gift 😭
Can y’all do UNLOCKED By Denzel Curry
For real. It’s so cohesive and the lyricism is excellent. The production is a great fit for Denzel too. Of course I’m a little biased because that record got my metalhead friend way more into rap. He basically hasn’t turned it off since I showed it to him.
Rahsaan bro idk why they skip denzels projects, i thought they all thought he was really good
Franklyn Perez I guess they don’t care for him anymore, they skipped Zuu and I doubt they’re gonna do unlocked since they just did allegory and that came out last Friday but unlocked came out at the beginning of the month
Rahsaan these people sometimes review big artist but most of the time it’s literally underground rappers that only they like, unlocked is so good and so was zuu but they don’t give it a shot
@@ryleighrage the lyricism is not excellent, relax.
I cant believe Royce actually made an All-Time Great LP album like I felt he could. I know PRhyme is a classic but doing his own production and it being an LP. So proud of Royce da 5'9. I'm just hoping he get his flowers whenever his time is up in life. One of the greatest MCs ever
Great review, really made me look forward to hear it. Already have it in my playlist but didn't have time for it yet.
Royce has always been fire but in the last couple of years he really evolved. He is easily one of the illest out there but still doesn't get enough mainstream recognition. Whatever he has the whole package now, he can rhyme his ass off, has bars and enough to say.
Interesting part of Plato's allegory I think Myke left out: the prisoners are chained up and unable to actually turn around and see that there are puppeteers (or whatever) behind them. Royce is tryin to do with this album what Plato thought philosophical education was to do: free people so that not only do they see that there are puppeteers behind them, but also so that they see the Sun, which is what's really real.
Dope shit, Royce. I think the execution of it on some things is a little whack (some of his ideas are def just shadows, man) but it's dope as hell.
If some of the ideas are “shadows”, wouldn’t you think that fits the overall concept of the album?
@@devzeppilin Shoulda been clearer: I think some of the things that Royce thanks are REAL ideas are actually shadows. There def are some intentional shadows on the album. You're right on that
The next part of the story is when the rescuer unchains the prisoners and begins to lead them up the tunnel towards the light. The farther they get from their comfortable prison of shadows, the more scared they become. One prisoner decides to pick up a stone and club the rescuer over the head, killing him instantly. The prisoners then return to the comfort and safety of the cave and return themselves to their chains.
Sorry to bum you out but thats really how it goes.
@@r.e.bookreviews8418 That's gonna be a no from me, dawg.
Damn.....that really is a big ass tablet
Overall really good project but i feel the second half is the real stand out( From Overcomer down to the end). Not that the other tracks were bad but the songs got significantly better at this point.
12:03 Myke's facial expression should be a meme...
You know its fire when B wakes up!
I got this album on repeat since it came out
Myke I am obsessed with your Evil Dead shirt ☠️
Modern day masterpiece love the album best album I've heard this year
Its barely been two months
Well I'm a old man 47 not much perks my intrest these days most hip hop now is as we say in uk crap
Key thing about the allegory of the cave-
The people who are in the cave are strapped to chairs and cannot get out.They can't turn their heads to see. In the story, someone escapes sees the truth of their reality- that everything they see is just a shadow of something else. They return to their prison and try to free their fellow captives. The other captives dont believe them and kill the person that escaped and return to watching the shadows.
Specifically, it was Plato talking about how people killed his teacher, Socrates.
That's just some more context for folks that thought the story in the beginning is interesting. DEHH and Royce, thanks!
I dunno the anti vax bars rubbed me the wrong way. Kinda soured my first listen. But I'm gonna give it a few more spins n see how I feel
We need a track to track review for this album. Coz this album is deep
Let’s see if this early year album will make it to their end of the year lists. Usually early year projects get forgotten about. Main reason why I like that this channel also do mid year top 5s.
Tricked is one of the best rap songs I've heard in a minute. I'd love to have a spiritual/religious conversation with Royce but, I think this is my favorite Royce album and his best. And I said the same about layers and the same about book of Ryan. He's on a great run. Another win for the city.
I’m so grateful for you guys’ friendship after all these years man... makes me tear up
Off subject, that Evil Dead shirt is 🔥
Royce has been killing shit, lately. Like, first Phryme, Book of Ryan, and now this. Goddamn, he is so underrated!
It's not that weird that Eminem was not on the album. I don't think Eminem been on a Royce album since Rock City.
Really want DEHH to review the Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats project. 🔥
100%
Great review. I'm surprised yall didn't mention Young World with Vince and G Perico that shit was bonkers.
Barrel kicking like it's Snoop in Manhattan 😯😯 Really enjoyed Vince being on this album. That's real dope considering Eminem and Vince had their lil back and forth.
after listening to the allegory i noticed the face value factor that yall was talking about was kind of like what j cole's last 2 albums especially kod.great project was really impressed.
To the people in the comments, What’s some of y’all favorite songs from this album?
Thou shall and pendulum just off top.
The pendulum
OverComer
Upside down
Dope man
Fubu
Rhinestone in Ryan du rag
Young world
Black Savage
Thou Shall
I play forever
I love the whole album, but they’re my favorite songs.
I agree with Myke that Tricked was the only song I didn’t like. But I’m not a huge Crooked I fan either though 🤷🏻♂️
jwood8769 my list is very similar to this
Caleb Vazquez i agree
Upside Down
Pendulum
Thou Shall
Mr. Grace
I Don’t Age
FUBU
Glad this album got Grammy nominated, even if it doesn’t win I hope the nomination draws more attention to it.
I love these guys, and I love their reviews. Having said that, it's disappointing when albums with substance like ADD-2 "Jim Crow: The Musical", and Kemba's "Gilda" are not even reviewed but Royce gets this super deep dive into his concept.
Royce has bedm top tier lyricist for a while, and now he is entering a space that other rappers have lived in and were downgraded for. Now that Jay, Royce, and others who have become mainstream with these messages they are more palatable and ultimately elevated. It's really frustrating.
Mickey Factz, Homeboy Sandman, I Am Many, and so many others have made amazing conceptual projects that delve into the very topics that are being praised but sadly go ignored.
Man give Royce his fucking flowers.
Didn't like that Kemba album really. And Royce isn't really mainstream.
@@redpillproductions7187 you might want to reread what I actually wrote. I dont need to give Royce his flowers. I have purchased every single Royce album, and know full well that his best projects are "Street Hop" and "PRhyme".
@@ericdavis1758 that's perfectly fine that you don't like the album. We all like/dislike albuns for differing reasons.
If my point was missing, it wasn't to have consent on what we all like. Moreso, it was to highlight the intricacies in hip-hop albums. Kemba is discussing loss in a way that many do not in hip-hop.
He is doing it uniquely and with ultra lyricism. Without being mundane or repetitive he is exploring how the hood leads to disease: mentality, physically, and spiritually.
What I am asking for is a deep dive into all of the albums, like them or not. The issue that Myke and Ken bring up doesnt just apply to Royce and Kendrick. It applies to Sylvan Lacks, Skyzoo, KA, and multiple other rappers. They are not given the respectful study and researching of lyricism, conceptually, or exposure that other more accepted rappers are. Period.
Royce killed this. This is HIGH-LEVEL. From a true Artist.
And it felt good to see him getting this kind of love and appreciation in your review.
I was taught the cave allegory two years ago in college. Never would’ve thought it would be in a rap album 😦
And the idea wasn't even well executed... What "knowledge" and "awakening" is Royce bringing here that hasn't already been done by EVERY OTHER "woke" black rapper for the past few decades?
Good album but this antivax messages are too much
Agreed! Some of my favorite emcee's have been proving themselves to be scientifically illiterate with their anti-vaxer bars!
Been a fan since Boom Royce never let me down and he has matured and showed how a rapper can age and content can change like Jayz 4:44
I hope Mike gets them to review the two Princess Nokia albums that'd be an interesting review
Em took you gonna learn and put it on his album but it was supposed to be on there
Royce dropped four singles for this one. I took the Ice Cream skit a little different. I viewed it as Royce saying a lot of women doing the only fans stuff and acting one way on social media are acting different in real life, but the ice cream man not caring could be what he was going for.
The track You Gon' Learn from Em's album was produced by Royce and was meant for this album, but Royce gave it to Eminem.
Sheeit you guys were fast with this one. Nothing but respect for you guys and the grind you put in to get these reviews up.
THIS ALBUM IS SOOOOO GOOD! Dope Man? Pendulum? Tricked?! OVERCOMER???!!! Loved it, I'm officially a new fan
He did 3 songs on Em's album not 2. all three teachers were so strong I don't understand how anybody could have forgotten one :|
I was like feefo where i heard Royce rap and i knew he could spit, but i never was a fan, now with book of Ryan and the allegory i have become a huge fan. Im 21, and i learned things i didn't know and have been playing this nonstop since its dropped. Royce is a legend 🐐
Royce is on another level with this album
This is Royce’s masterpiece. Holy shit do I love this album.
thank you for the review guys, this is exactly the type of discussion this album need
I thought I was the only one who thought this album ain’t feel like 22 tracks 😂😂. Royce out did himself...to me Layers is Royce best project but man this one right here is fighting for that #1 spot. It’s so many gems in this album it’s crazy. The fact that this man is getting better with age is scary. He’s already top 5 ever in my opinion and the fact he producing now .....FUUUUCCCCKKKK!!!!!! What can’t Royce do 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂