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Rise of an Empire
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55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 19 Ratings

  • Summary: The second release for Young Money includes appearances from Birdman, Drake, Euro, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Tyga.
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Top Track

Trophies
Had hit records on my demo Did y'all boys not get the memo I do not stay at the Intercontinental And anything I got is not a rental, I own that... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Mar 18, 2014
    75
    None if the newcomers can hang with superstar moments like Drake's blustery "Trophies," but the rookie-posse cut "Fresher Than Ever" crackles. [21 Mar 2014, p.62]
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  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. XXL
    Mar 12, 2014
    60
    Rise Of An Empire, Young Money Entertainment’s sophomore album, is marred by its lack of star power.
  4. 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.
  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. 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.
  7. 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.

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  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.… Expand
  2. 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"… Expand
  4. Ziscky
    Apr 22, 2014
    5
    Euro has a future...Drake isn't really Young Money,Minaj has an identity crisis,Tyga...smh,Lil wayne I don't know what to say.Mediocre...YoungEuro has a future...Drake isn't really Young Money,Minaj has an identity crisis,Tyga...smh,Lil wayne I don't know what to say.Mediocre...Young Money is dead… Expand
  5. geedup
    Mar 19, 2014
    4
    The line up is promising. I suppose thats why Lil Wayne is making all this $! But the album is WEEEEEAAAAKKKK! There is one song by Drake thatThe line up is promising. I suppose thats why Lil Wayne is making all this $! But the album is WEEEEEAAAAKKKK! There is one song by Drake that was hot. The rest of the songs are lyrically weak and very predictable. I mean if you like the same thing that Lil Wayne gives you time and time again (i.e. drugs, pu**y, money) then you'll probably love it. The beats were hitting though. I'd like to hear KDot or Slaughterhouse go in on some of them.… Expand
  6. 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!!!… Expand