Royce Da 5'9: Growth & Patience: The Best of Royce Volume 1"

Along with Elzhi and Black Milk, Royce Da 5'9" is a lynchpin of Detroit's underground rap scene – currently the most creatively inspired and groundbreaking in the country. Probably best known as a disgruntled former Eminem collaborator, Royce has come to terms with Shady and D12, and he's peaking creatively. One can't help but be transfixed by his flow. His body of work is nicely encapsulated on the compilation mixtape Growth & Patience: The Best of Royce Volume 1. Presented by St. Louis talent scout Trackstar the DJ – known for his "Boogie Bang" mixtape series highlighting Midwestern talent – the work includes tracks from Royce's studio albums, guest spots and previous mixtapes. Such tracks as "I'm Me" and "Scary Movie, Pt. 1" pop immediately. Royce is a gifted, effortless rapper, an MC's MC who, along with his Detroit brethren, is doing everything in his power to prop hip-hop up right now. 4 stars.