Fort Minor - The Rising Tied -deluxe Version- -2005- Itunes May 2026

Album Title: The Rising Tied (Deluxe Version)

Artist: Fort Minor
Release Date: November 22, 2005
Label: Machine Shop Recordings / Warner Bros. Records
Version: Deluxe Edition (iTunes/Apple Music)
Genres: Hip-Hop, Alternative Hip-Hop, Rap Rock, Experimental Rap

Album Background

The Rising Tied is the debut and only studio album by Fort Minor, the side project of Mike Shinoda (co-lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist of Linkin Park). Frustrated by the limitations of writing only rock music, Shinoda created Fort Minor as an outlet for his deep-rooted passion for hip-hop. The album’s title reflects the tension between artistic ambition (“rising”) and the constraints of life, labels, and expectations (“tied”).

Unlike Linkin Park’s collaborative process, Shinoda wrote, produced, and performed nearly all of The Rising Tied himself, enlisting a small group of respected underground and mainstream hip-hop artists. The album was executive produced by Jay-Z, who offered guidance on song selection and sequencing but notably did not produce any tracks, wanting Shinoda’s vision to remain pure.

The Genesis of Fort Minor: Why Mike Shinoda Needed This Album

By 2005, Mike Shinoda was already a rockstar. Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory and Meteora had sold millions. However, Shinoda felt artistically confined. Growing up, his musical diet consisted of Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy, and the rhythmic complexity of underground rap—sounds that didn't quite fit the "nu-metal" label.

Fort Minor (named after the WWII term "Fort Minor," highlighting the underdogs) was his escape. Unlike Linkin Park’s collaborative writing process, The Rising Tied was Shinoda’s diary. He produced, wrote, and arranged almost the entire album himself. The result? A dense, orchestral hip-hop record that sampled classical music and featured a "who’s who" of the underground rap scene. Fort Minor - The Rising Tied -Deluxe Version- -2005- Itunes

Track Listing (Deluxe Version)

The Deluxe Version on iTunes includes the original 16-track album plus 4 bonus tracks:

Original Album:

1. Introduction – A 36-second orchestral and spoken-word overture setting the album's tone.
2. Remember the Name (feat. Styles of Beyond) – The signature anthem about hard work over statistics. Became a massive sports/trailer staple.
3. Right Now (feat. Black Thought of The Roots & Styles of Beyond) – Urgent, politically charged commentary over a frantic piano loop.
4. Petrified – Aggressive, bass-heavy diss track with a snarling delivery.
5. Feel Like Home – A somber reflection on alienation and identity.
6. Where’d You Go (feat. Holly Brook & Jonah Matranga) – The emotional breakthrough hit; a tender ballad about missing loved ones due to touring.
7. In Stereo – Bouncy, boastful hip-hop showcasing Shinoda’s technical flow.
8. Back Home (feat. Common & Styles of Beyond) – A tribute to Chicago (Shinoda’s birthplace) and the immigrant/urban experience.
9. Cigarettes – A short, haunting interlude about addiction as a metaphor for destructive relationships.
10. Believe Me (feat. Bobo & Styles of Beyond) – The lead single; an explosive track about trust and betrayal.
11. Get Me Gone – A spoken-word/scathing critique of major label pressure and stereotypes.
12. High Road (feat. John Legend) – A triumphant, piano-driven motivational track.
13. Kenji – The album’s centerpiece; a heartbreaking narrative of Japanese American internment camps during WWII, based on Shinoda’s family history.
14. Red to Black – A dark, cinematic track about exploitation and power.
15. The Battle (feat. Celph Titled) – A lyrical throwdown with complex wordplay.
16. Slip Out the Back (feat. Mr. Hahn) – A defiant, cathartic closer rejecting negativity.

Deluxe Version Bonus Tracks (iTunes Exclusive at launch): 17. Be Somebody – A fan-favorite bonus; an uplifting track about earning respect and finding purpose. 18. There They Go – A gritty, minimalist cut showcasing raw mic skills and a hypnotic beat. 19. The Hard Way – A bonus gem about overcoming creative and personal obstacles. 20. Welcome (feat. Styles of Beyond) – Originally a promotional single (DJ Green Lantern remix appears elsewhere); this version is a straightforward banger celebrating hip-hop culture.

Verdict

The Rising Tied (Deluxe Version) is not a rap-rock hybrid or a side-project novelty. It is a meticulously crafted, emotionally raw hip-hop album that stands entirely on its own. For fans of lyric-driven, atmospheric rap (Atmosphere, Sage Francis, Eminem’s Infinite era), or anyone seeking proof that a rock frontman can deliver a genuine hip-hop classic, this album is essential listening. Album Title: The Rising Tied (Deluxe Version) Artist:

Recommended Tracks: Kenji, Where’d You Go, Remember the Name, Be Somebody, High Road

Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5) – A landmark alternative hip-hop album undercut only by a couple of interstitial tracks that feel underdeveloped, but elevated by its bonus content and timeless production.

A highly useful piece of information regarding Fort Minor’s The Rising Tied (Deluxe Version) (2005) on iTunes is:

The deluxe version includes the exclusive track “Be Somebody” (featuring Lupe Fiasco, Holly Brook, and Kenna), which is not available on the standard album. Deluxe Version Bonus Tracks (iTunes Exclusive at launch):

This track is often overlooked because it was originally a bonus song for pre-orders and later the deluxe digital release. On iTunes specifically, the deluxe version also typically includes:

• The full album (16 tracks)
• The bonus track “Be Somebody” as track #17
• Occasionally the instrumental version of “Petrified” (depending on the regional iTunes store)

If you’re looking to buy or identify the correct version on iTunes today, ensure the tracklist includes “Be Somebody” — that’s the clearest marker of the Deluxe Version. The standard 2005 release lacks it.

Fort Minor - The Rising Tied (Deluxe Version) (2005): A Deep Dive into Mike Shinoda’s Masterpiece on iTunes

In the mid-2000s, the landscape of hip-hop was dominated by crunk, snap music, and the opulent lifestyles of the "bling era." But lurking in the underground—specifically, in the garage of a Linkin Park co-founder—was a project that would flip the script entirely. When Fort Minor released The Rising Tied in 2005, it wasn't just a side project; it was a statement.

For years, fans searching for this elusive gem have turned to digital storefronts, specifically looking for the definitive Fort Minor - The Rising Tied -Deluxe Version- -2005- iTunes release. But why does this specific version matter nearly two decades later? Let’s break down the history, the tracks, the production, and why the iTunes Deluxe Version remains the holy grail for collectors.