Rise of an Empire is the second collaboration album by hip hop group Young Money from the label of the same name. It was released on March 11, 2014. The album features Young Money artists Birdman, Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Tyga, Mack Maine, Gudda Gudda, Shanell, Lil Twist, Jae Millz, Cory Gunz, and newer signees including Euro, Chanel West Coast, Flow, and Christina Milian. Other members outside of Young Money on the album is YG, Yo Gotti, and Meek Mill.
Background
In June 2012, Tyga confirmed that the label would release another collaborative album. Nothing else was said about the album until Mack Maine confirmed the name of it on December 1, 2012, called We Are Young Money Vol. 2. Although, Birdman later change the album for his new group called Rich Gang that consists of label mates from Cash Money and Young Money.
On January 22, 2014, Young Money COO Cortez Bryant confirmed the release for the album on March 11 and added: "we're hungrier than ever, and we're still building.” Lil Wayne also said that "YMCMB is stronger than ever, and everybody was truly on fire. We're all blessed to be a part of this incredible Empire as it continues to thrive. I can't wait for what's next. Keep watching.”
Release and promotion
The album was released on March 11, 2014.
Singles
"We Alright" was released as the lead single on January 23, 2014 with an accompanying video and radio release to follow. It features Lil Wayne, Birdman, and new signee Euro. "Senile" was released on February 24, 2014 as a promotional single. It features Tyga, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Wayne. "Trophies" by Drake was sent to radio on March 4, 2014 as the second official single. "Lookin Ass" by Nicki Minaj, originally a buzz single released on February 12, 2014, was released as the third official single impacting radio on March 11, 2014.
Commercial Performance
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "We Alright" (featuring Euro, Birdman & Lil Wayne) | Eufradis Rodriguez, Bryan Williams, Dywayne Carter, Sam Gumbley | S-X | 5:12 |
| 2. | "Trophies" (featuring Drake) | Aubrey Graham, Chauncey Hollis | Hit-Boy | 3:08 |
| 3. | "Bang" (Lil Twist featuring Euro & Cory Gunz) | Christopher Lynn Moore, Eufradis Rodriguez, Peter Cory Pankey | 4:10 | |
| 4. | "Senile" (featuring Tyga, Nicki Minaj & Lil Wayne) | Michael Stevenson, Onika Maraj, Carter, David D.A. Doman | D.A. Doman | 3:19 |
| 5. | "Induction Speech" (featuring Euro) | Rodriguez | 5:21 | |
| 6. | "One Time" (featuring Lil Twist, Tyga & YG) | Moore, Stevenson, Keenon Jackson | 4:21 | |
| 7. | "Lookin Ass" (featuring Nicki Minaj) | Maraj, Noel Fisher | Detail | 2:41 |
| 8. | "Fresher Than Ever" (featuring Gudda Gudda, Jae Millz, Flow, Mack Maine & Birdman) | Carl Lilly, Jarvis Mills, Widner DeGruy, Jermaine Preyan, Bryan Williams | 6:46 | |
| 9. | "Back It Up" (featuring Lil Twist & Tyga) | |||
| 10. | "Moment" (featuring Lil Wayne) | Moore, Stevenson | 4:39 | |
| 11. | "You Already Know" (featuring PJ Morton, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda & Mack Maine) | Paul Morton, Mills, Lilly, Preyan | 4:09 |
Deluxe Edition
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Catch Me at the Light" (featuring Shanell & Yo Gotti) | Woodgett, Mario Mims, Harvey Miller | DJ Speedy | 3:28 |
| 13. | "Video Model" (featuring Christina Milian & Lil Wayne) | Milian, Carter | 3:58 | |
| 14. | "Good Day" (featuring Tyga, Meek Mill & Lil Wayne) | Stevenson, Robert Williams, Carter, Donte Blacksher | League of Starz | 3:44 |
Hittin Like (featuring Shanell & Chanel West Coast) is only featured on the physical album copies. It is #7 on that tracklist pushing every song below it down one spot.
Charts
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK R&B Albums (OCC) | 18 |