Royce Da 5’9″ has always been known as your rapper’s favorite MC. A living lyrical wizard that I never really checked for until last year. After releasing freestyles over popular beats, an outdated promotional tool for most rappers, Short-T was surprised at how much he enjoyed the other freestyles besides “Beats Keep Callin'”. The original songs on the DapPiff hosted project, another outdated promotional tool for most rappers, the Detroit native was finally on my radar. This year, he released the sequel to his collabo, PRhyme, with DJ Premier, which I enjoyed, but could have fared better with some songs cut from the final tracklisting. I was skeptical about his solo album coming so soon after, but Book Of Ryan, his seventh album, could not wait; for it is the album Ryan Montgomery has been trying to make his entire life.
May is “Mental Health Awareness Month”. I began therapy sessions February 14, 2018. It’s so easy to say that I choose to save my mental health as a gift to myself, but honestly, I just chose the day because it was available. It has been one of the best decisions I have made so far this year. Each therapy session has felt like a spa day. After an hour of expressing my thoughts, feelings, and problems, I feel so much more relaxed and charged. I’m advocating for everyone to try therapy at least once in their lives. There is no shame in asking for help. #SilenceTheShame A licensed professional is not there to judge or be your friend, they’re an unbiased source of positive influence.
The benefits of successful therapy sessions are the breakthroughs as your thoughts become clearer and your outlook becomes more optimistic. I want to say “Job Well Done” to Royce for acknowledging that he needed help, doing the work to alleviate his emotional and mental trauma as it shows in his latest work.
The Boi-1da produced “Power” stands out to me the most as we got two stories about two-holiday occasions in the Montgomery household that left the middle child, Ryan, in the middle of a world of chaos.
BONUS: Before Royce found sobriety and the ability to speak openly about the series of unfortunate events of his childhood, he was the friend that seemed like he had it all because he had a record deal and a video on TV. He wore leather pants and put rhinestones in his du-rag, he was obviously not fine, even if it was 2003. The Mr. Porter produced, “Strong Friend”, is the last offering I am sharing from Book of Ryan.
If “Power” is the session, then “Strong Friend” is the walk from the office to the front door as you look back at where you came that put you in this situation looking for answers. Those same answers help to understand why it is important that you are there while others didn’t get a chance to start their search. Track 17 ends with quotes from Black entertainers about how Black people perceive mental health and pays tribute to Kurt Cobain, Capital Steez, and Chester Bennington. R.I.P. to them and all that couldn’t make their appointments and I hope that those in need of help make appointments.