Rise of an Empire
by Young Money
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Mar 11, 2014
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. XXL
    Mar 12, 2014
    60
    Rise Of An Empire, Young Money Entertainment’s sophomore album, is marred by its lack of star power.
  2. AllMusic
    Mar 12, 2014
    60
    Call it a wobbly when it comes to quality, or a showcase for the young that's stolen by the old, but it's best to consider it a simple roster-promoting label compilation that just happens to come with an EP or so worth of fire.
  3. PopMatters
    Apr 22, 2014
    50
    Rise of an Empire is likely only a bit of a disappointment because it opens so strongly and refuses to become outright terrible.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Mar 20, 2014
    50
    We're introduced to a charming talkrapper named Euro and not much else beyond some diverse but mundane urban contemporary music dominated by familiar players.
  6. HipHopDX
    Mar 12, 2014
    50
    He should listen to Rise of an Empire more closely, though: He may be part of an empire now, but it’s looking more and more like Rome in decline.
  7. Pitchfork
    Mar 12, 2014
    49
    If Rise of an Empire is meant to read like some kind of State of the Union address, it paints Young Money as a fractured team that’s lost its compass.
  8. NOW Magazine
    Mar 20, 2014
    40
    The album is bogged down in missteps like Tyga, Lil’ Twist and YG’s limp One Time and uninspired strip club anthem Back It Up.

User Reviews

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User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 19
  3. Negative: 6 out of 19
  1. LilTrevino
    Apr 15, 2014
    9
    Easily can be debated as the best Young Money complication album yet. I think that Wayne did a great job of incorporating his new artists intoEasily can be debated as the best Young Money complication album yet. I think that Wayne did a great job of incorporating his new artists into most of the songs such as Lil Twist and Euro. Euro is going to have a big career and I can just say that now. The way Euro raps is just unbelievable, the way he comes at it every line shows great talent.This album is definitely the new rise of an empire at Young Money and in the future I expect this group to have lots of success, as they have had in their past as well.… Full Review »
  2. Bleat0124
    Apr 14, 2014
    1
    Keep the Drake song, delete everything else. That all I have to say about Young money now a days. This album was suppose to be a coming outKeep the Drake song, delete everything else. That all I have to say about Young money now a days. This album was suppose to be a coming out party for Euro. He came out, and he is trash!!!… Full Review »
  3. ihavevocaloid
    Apr 18, 2015
    6
    There really isn't that much special with this album. It's not a bad compilation, though. It continues Young Money's successful career, withThere really isn't that much special with this album. It's not a bad compilation, though. It continues Young Money's successful career, with an album full of good production from the likes of Sonny Digital, Lex Luger, Detail, among others, with some good lyrics as well. I like Euro, he seems like a good rapper and I'm looking forward to hearing his first studio album. But there isn't that much originality here. You can imagine just about any mainstream rapper out there making this album. However, this is overall a decent effort from YMCMB. Grade: B-. Highlights: "Trophies", "Lookin A**", "Back It Up". Worst songs: "One Time", "Bang"… Full Review »
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