Musically, The Rising Tied is a dense, orchestral take on alternative hip-hop. Shinoda blends:
Lyrically, the album is introspective, political, and personal—touching on self-doubt, perseverance, media manipulation, racism, and artistic integrity. There are no “party tracks”; even the singles carry a somber or aggressive weight.
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. Fort Minor - The Rising Tied -Deluxe Version- -2005- Itunes
What makes The Rising Tied unique is the production. Unlike most rap albums of 2005 that relied on 808s or sampled R&B, Shinoda leaned into live instrumentation and classical breaks.
The "Deluxe Version" typically available on iTunes includes the standard 16 tracks plus bonus content. It usually features the music video for "Petrified" and sometimes "Believe Me."
Standard Tracks:
Bonus Tracks (often included on Deluxe Digital editions): 17. There They Go (feat. Sixx John) 18. The Hard Way (Added track on some editions)
Note: The tracklist can vary slightly depending on the specific region of the iTunes store, but the core album remains the same.
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. Musically, The Rising Tied is a dense, orchestral
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.
The Deluxe Version on iTunes includes the original 16-track album plus 4 bonus tracks:
Original Album:
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.
The standard edition of The Rising Tied is a 14-track masterpiece. However, the Deluxe Version (exclusively available for years via the iTunes store in 2005) added crucial layers to the narrative.