Royce Da 5’9 is the perfect of example of what record labels can do to an incredible artist. With Royce’s street buzz climbing to an inaudible roar after his work with former compadre Eminem and noteworthy efforts with producers such as DJ Premier, Jay Dee, and Alchemist, Royce seemed as if he was destined for glory. But just as soon as you could bang your head to the incredible “Boom”, record labels played the hip hop version of the Hollywood shuffle with Royce Nickel-Nine.  Bouncing from Tommy Boy, Columbia, and finally Game almost became fatal for Royce’s career.  Reason being, when the laboriously delayed debut Rock City finally dropped, it was obvious that the label shuffling had taken its tool on Royce; as he was pulled back and forth in a commercial tug-of-war; TRL (his forgettable collab with Willa Ford) and the requisite club attempt (“You Can’t Touch Me”).  By the time the buzz from “Boom” died down and he delivered his first official single, “Rock City” featuring Eminem, it seemed as if Royce had begun to fade into obscurity.
 
     But this is not a depressing story and as Royce hit rock bottom, he regrouped and took matters into his own hands.  Earlier this year he released Build and Destroy, an all encompassing double-CD mixtape which mixed his earlier bangers with a few newer joints to reclaim his crown.  Now on the eve of the second and most important release of his career, Death is Certain, Royce keeps the streets satisfied with another mixtape and introduces his crew, The M.I.C., with M.I.C. Mix Tapes Vol. 1.

     Royce possess certain attributes that most emcees lack today—a contagious confidence and ungodly flow (which has gotten even more-refined since Rock City).  Combine that with a tendency to annihilate beats and it undeniably places him in an elevated category only hip-hop’s elite can deal with (why another major-label has not scooped him up is a mystery).  Though Royce is quickly turning into a multilayered artist, but with the M.I.C. Mixtape he chooses to display only one layer—tough talk. This is not a detriment as he is very capable of keeping you glued to your speakers; evident on “My Language (Freestyle)”, “Simon Says (Street Games)” where he utters ridiculous lines mixing regular playground games with the codes of the street, the “Stand Up Freestyle” where Royce floats over Kanye West’s track like it was made for him—”Dude is from the winningest crew/I done been in the news/and of course I’ma give you the poison/and the venomous views/make it with whatever resources from hanging with Shady and use em.”  And gives a sneak preview of what he has in store with Death Is Certain, as he displays his ridiculous flow on “Throwback” and gives a hint at what he and DJ Premier have in store with their next collaboration (“Hip Hop”) with “Its Over (Outro)”, as Royce spazes out on the instrumental of “Militia”
 
    With most of the production handled by Carlos “Six July” Broady, it is evident that Royce is more than comfortable with him behind the boards.  Royce hardly falters on the thumping “Hit” feat. Cutty Mack And Ingrid Smalls, as his voice accompanies another ill beat. Combine this with his freestyles and Royce will have everyone jumping back on the bandwagon. 

    If there is a downfall to M.I.C. Mixtape, it is the tried, tired and true formula of putting on his crew, as they come up short when trading verses with Royce.  Not to say they are wack emcees, but they are not the supporting cast you would expect to share mic time with an emcee with the caliber of the 5’9.  Cutty Mack, June, Kid Vicious, Billy Nix, and femcee Ingrid Smalls (all crews gotta have one) do serve their purpose by being listenable, but we’d rather hear 15 tracks of Royce going for delf.

    Royce accomplishes what he sets out do with this mixtape; continuing to further the buzz for Death Is Certain and prove that he’s is as ill as they come.  One thing is for sure, Royce is a star waiting for his break out album, which hopefully will be Death is Certain.  Until then Royce fans will have to indulge in what this mixtape is, just another exercise before the big dance.