Rock City (subtitled or alternative titled Rock City - Version 2.0) is the debut studio album by American rapperRoyce da 5'9". After a two-year delay, resulting from a creative issue and label changes, the album was released on November 26, 2002.[1]
Background
Originally receiving national attention for his appearance on Eminem's track, "Bad Meets Evil", which later launched the duo of the same name in 1999, Royce da 5'9" was cornered by Dr. Dre to join his imprint, Aftermath Entertainment, but he refused to fire his manager. After he was rejected, he later signed a development deal with Tommy Boy Records, which later fell through due to the fact that he learned that the label would own his publishing and master recordings for the following ten years by contract. Recording for the album began in 1999, after signing with Game Recordings, with the single, "Boom".[5] In 2000, after signing with Columbia Records, the album's recording process began to dwindle when the label demanded radio-friendly singles; something Royce was not keen to create.[6]
Completed by October,[citation needed] it suffered numerous delays from December 2000 to November 2001, due to internal conflicts with label Columbia Records. As a result, in December 2001, Royce da 5'9" was dropped from the label and signed with Koch Records (now MNRK Music Group).[7] In February 2002, the original version of the album was released promotionally outside of the United States without Royce's personal or legal authority. He threatened to take legal action against Columbia's parent, Sony Music, but ultimately did not do it.[citation needed]
Ultimately, Royce had to re-recorded a majority of the album, with tracks removed due to Sony owning rights to the content. Therefore, the album had to foresee a November 26, 2002 release date under Game Recordings and Koch Records. The subtitle, Version 2.0, was also added, due to the rearrangements.
In mid-2023, the original version of Rock City leaked online and on digital music services.
Chart performance
The album debuted and peaked at number twenty-nine on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[8]
Track listing
The album was released in many versions.[9] Most notable of them is Version 2.0
"Nickel Nine Is..." samples "I'll Live My Love for You" by Millie Jackson
"Boom" samples "Forever Is a Long, Long Time" by Marc Hannibal, "Anthology" by Kay-Gees, "You Know My Steez" by Gang Starr, "Afro Puffs" by The Lady of Rage
"Who Am I" samples "Livin Inside Your Love" by Earl Klugh
