Royce Da 5’9

The Detroit Pistons Will Brighten Their Terrible Season With Limited-Edition J Dilla Merch Designed By Royce Da 5’9

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The Detroit Pistons‘ 2023-2024 NBA campaign has admittedly not been going well so far. The Motor City basketball club currently has a 9-52 record — good for one of the worst in the NBA’s 78-year history.

They do have one bright spot to look forward to, however. On March 13 — aka 313 Day, a nod to the city’s phone area code — the team will unveil a new merch collection honoring one of Detroit’s favorite sons, the late, great J Dilla. Curated by Dilla’s fellow Motown hip-hop powerhouse Royce Da 5’9, the collection will be available exclusively through the team store at Little Caesars Arena and on Pistons313Shop.com.

The collection will consist of six pieces (with an additional four online), featuring the Pistons’ logo, remixed as a donut in a nod to Dilla’s game-changing 2006 instrumental album Donuts and bearing J Dilla in place of the Pistons’ name. There will also be pieces featuring a patch reading “Welcome To Detroit,” the title of Dilla’s debut solo album, with the donut shop from the Donuts alternative cover.

The whole concept is very cool and very well executed. Y’all know your boy is a Clippers fan and I’m still probably going to log in the day of release to secure that hat (also, please take notes, Mr. Ballmer. Nipsey Day could easily be a thing at Intuit Dome).

In the press release, Royce said of the collab, “When designing the capsule for the J. Dilla Pistons partnership, our aim was to honor Dilla’s essence. Our interpretation of the iconic “Donuts” album cover was pivotal to the collection, as the album holds significant historical importance within hip-hop circles.”

You can get more info about the collection here.

What Is Royce Da 5’9’s Best-Selling Album?

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Since he debuted in the late ‘90s, Royce Da 5’9″ has released over 10 albums, as well as several EPs and mixtapes. Over time, the Detroit-based rapper has carved out a distinguished space in the Hip Hop landscape. Certainly, his impact on the genre extends far beyond his hometown roots. The rapper’s skill on the mic is undeniable, and he has been rightly praised for his talent. However, critical acclaim is not the only thing Royce Da 5’9″ has achieved with his albums. He has also earned notable commercial success with many of his projects. However, in terms of sales, one album in his discography stands out as king, beating out the rest by a wide margin.

Read More: Royce Da 5’9 And Detroit Pistons Collab To Celebrate J. Dilla

The Impressive Numbers Of Hell: The Sequel

Hell: The Sequel is by far the biggest album in Royce Da 5’9’s catalog. While the rapper has an extensive discography with over 20 projects, this is one of only two albums that are certified in the US. Additionally, it is the sole album by the rapper to sell enough units to earn certifications outside the US. The album has sold 500,000 units in the US, and as such, is a RIAA Gold-certified album. Hell: The Sequel is Gold-certified in the UK for over 100,000 album units sold. Finally, in Australia, the album has sold over 70,000 units, and is certified Platinum.

The Rise Of Bad Meets Evil

The iconic Hip Hop duo Bad Meets Evil consists of two prolific artists: Royce Da 5’9 and Eminem. The two formed the group in 1998, joining forces to create timeless music. In October 1998, they debuted with their double single, “Nuttin’ To Do” and “Scary Movies.” Unfortunately, they broke up soon after, following a feud between Royce and D12, Em’s Hip Hop collective. 

Subsequently, both Royce Da 5’9 and Eminem moved on to focus on their solo careers, releasing many albums. However, in 2011, the two reunited, and released Hell: The Sequel to critical and commercial success. It is their only album to date, and they have not released any new music since then. While Em and Royce have featured each other on their solo projects, fans hope Bad Meets Evil comes together to make another project. 

Read More: Bad Meets Evil Snapped Over Havoc Production On “Welcome 2 Hell”

A Collaborative Triumph

Undoubtedly, this is one of the most impressive albums Royce da 5’9 has ever created. The 11-track project showcases the impeccable chemistry and lyrical prowess that define the Bad Meets Evil collaboration. From the first track “Welcome 2 Hell,” the duo wastes no time in delivering hard-hitting verses over gritty production. It sets the tone for the project’s relentless energy and raw lyricism. Additionally, the project’s two singles are standout tracks whose successes contributed to the sales of the project. “Fast Lane,” the lead single, peaked at number 32 on the Hot 100 chart. Furthermore, “Lighters” ft. Bruno Mars peaked at number four and sold over two million certified single units. 

Throughout the project, Royce da 5’9 and Eminem display remarkable synergy. They seamlessly complement each other’s styles and push each other to new lyrical heights. In conclusion, this body of work stands as a testament to the enduring talent and collaborative spirits of the two rappers. It remains a cornerstone of modern Hip Hop and a must-listen for fans of the genre.

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Bad Meets Evil: Where Are They Now?

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Eminem and Royce Da 5’9″, iconic Detroit lyricists, form the hip hop super-duo known as Bad Meets Evil. Together, the pair have collaborated since the mid 1990s, releasing one full-length LP Hell: The Sequel in 2011 and a host of singles and lyrical outings on film soundtracks and compilation albums. Though Em and Royce had a falling out in the early 2000s, the pair reunited in 2011 when Eminem’s Shady Records signed Royce Da 5’9″s hip hop super-group Slaughterhouse. In the years since, the pair have continued collaborating, and have even teased new projects which may release in the coming years. Here’s a look at the duo and their current projects.

Read More: Bad Meets Evil’s “Hell: The Sequel” Turns 12

Eminem

As one of the highest-selling musicians of all time, Eminem likely requires no introduction. The “Evil half” of the Bad Meets Evil duo has sold over 500 million records in nearly three decades of rhyming, and achieved induction into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2022. Only 10 other hip-hop acts in history share this distinction.

Eminem’s latest studio album, Music To Be Murdered By, was released in early 2020, with a full-length Side B deluxe released later that same year. Since then, Em has popped up on several features with artists including Fat Joe, Skylar Grey and Shady Records signee EZ Mil, with his most recent outing being an appearance on the Lyrical Lemonade album All Is Yellow. Eminem appears on the track “Doomsday Pt. 2” where he proves that his lyrical ability is as sharp as ever, stacking complex multisyllabic rhymes with ease and even reigniting beefs from decades past.

Since deciding to become sober in 2008, the Bad Meets Evil alumni has gained a reputation for being highly reclusive, seldom making media appearances or granting interviews. However, Eminem has been popping up all over the place in recent weeks to celebrate the Detroit Lions in their historic NFL season. Despite the Lions not making it to the Super Bowl this year, Eminem actively cheered the team on during playoff games and appeared in multiple promotional videos to rally team spirit.

Read More: It’s The Perfect Time For A New Bad Meets Evil Album

Royce Da 5’9″

Also born of the mid 1990s Detroit rap sound, Royce Da 5’9″ has long held his place as one of the only rappers who can routinely keep pace with Eminem on a track lyrically. The “Bad half” of Bad Meets Evil has also had many successes in his career, with 8 solo albums, as well as a wide array of mixtapes and collaborative works. Obviously, Royce isn’t nearly as big of a rap star as his counterpart, which prompted the rapper to seek solo success in the years following the 2011 release of Hell: The Sequel.

Since then, Royce has released several critically acclaimed albums, and even taken up beat-making, tutored by his long-time friend and collaborator DJ Premier. His most recent LP, 2020’s The Allegory, was entirely self produced. Royce also scored a production credit on Eminem’s 2020 double album, taking to the boards for the track “Darkness.” Royce provided a lyrical back and forth with his Bad Meets Evil counterpart on the album as well, in tracks such as “You Gon’ Learn, “Yah Yah,” and “I Will.”

In 2022, Royce Da 5’9″ revealed that he had been working behind the scenes to get a reunion album off the ground with his supergroup Slaughterhouse, though music industry politics and group in-fighting prevented the album from materializing. Instead, Royce explained to fans during an Instagram live that he would need to take some time off to switch gears before being ready to drop another solo effort. Although neither of the Bad Meets Evil rappers have confirmed new solo albums at this time, it appears evident that both have been actively working on new music behind the scenes.

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Slaughterhouse: Where Are They Now?

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Slaughterhouse was a rap supergroup composed of four highly lyrical solo acts who, despite their elite penmanship, had each struggled against music industry politics. The four artists, Joe Budden, Royce Da 5’9″, Joell Ortiz, and Kxng Crooked (formerly Crooked I), first linked up in 2008 for a posse cut on Joe Budden’s album Halfway House. After releasing a cult classic debut record and signing to a major label, the group never reached their true potential.

These days, Slaughterhouse is regarded as one of hip hop’s biggest “what ifs.” Despite their struggles as a group, all four have gone on to find success in the years since they disbanded. While none of the artists have reached household name status, they are all still active today.

Joe Budden

Joe Budden is the artist most credited with forming Slaughterhouse in 2008. Conversely, the rapper-turned-podcaster is also largely to blame for the group’s falling out. Budden retired from rapping in 2016 after releasing his eighth and final solo album, Rage and the Machine. Since then, Budden has become a full-time podcaster, hosting one of the most well-known and successful hip hop-centric podcasts on the web.

The Joe Budden Podcast has been a source of endless controversy, media takes, and rap beef. This includes a tumultuous 2021 split between Budden and his long-time co-hosts Rory and Mal. Most recently, Budden has found new co-hosts, a new venue, and ignited new beefs on the platform with figures like NBA YoungBoy. While Budden’s abrasive personality and no-holds-barred attitude may have prevented him from forming lasting relationships in the music scene, it certainly makes for excellent podcast content.

Royce Da 5’9″

Royce Da 5’9″ is likely the most well-known member of Slaughterhouse for his rapping ability. The long-time Eminem collaborator has released eight solo albums, as well as a flurry of mixtapes and collaborative efforts. His most recent outing is 2020’s The Allegory, which showcases the rapper’s newfound beat-making capability. While The Allegory was hailed for its creative production choices, intricate rhyme patterns, and thoughtful compositions, the album came under fire for several anti-vax lyrics.

Like his former Slaughterhouse peer Joe Budden, Royce started a podcast in 2020 with co-host Lupe Fiasco. Unfortunately, the pod concluded following just 45 episodes after the pair became embroiled in a rap feud. Royce has been criticized for his handling of the beef, refusing to properly respond to Lupe Fiasco’s devastating diss tracks. While Royce Da 5’9″ continues to rap to this day, no new projects have been announced since The Allegory.

Joell Ortiz

Arguably the most underrated of the bunch, Joell Ortiz has largely managed to sidestep beef throughout much of his career. The former Slaughterhouse artist has had a prolific run since the group split up, collaborating on full-length LPs with producers such as Illmind, Apollo Brown, The Heatmakerz, and L’Orange. Joell has also collaborated on a series of joint projects with his Slaughterhouse associate, Kxng Crooked. The most recent project between the duo, Prosper, premiered on streaming in October 2023.

Joell Ortiz and Kxng Crooked sparked beef with their former collaborators in 2022 after releasing the album The Rise & Fall of Slaughterhouse. Apparently, the quartet had been planning a reunion album behind the scenes for some time when the album was released without the prior knowledge or participation of Royce Da 5’9″ or Joe Budden. According to Crook and Joell, Budden refused to agree to the terms of any deal they presented. Likewise, Royce refused to do an album without Joe. As a result, Crook and Joell released The Rise & Fall of Slaughterhouse as a duo, officially vowing never to return to the band again.

Kxng Crooked

Kxng Crooked has one of the most fascinating backstories in all of hip hop. The Long Beach, California native was first signed to Death Row Records in his youth. His first solo ventures with the label were shelved indefinitely due to industry politics and Suge Knight’s legal troubles. The rapper was also instrumental in arranging the posse cut with Joe Budden, eventually forming Slaughterhouse. Crooked was the first member to officially announce his departure from the rap supergroup in 2018.

In recent years, Kxng Crooked has announced plans to release a final solo album before retiring from hip hop. No specifics regarding the rumored release have been confirmed at this time. While working on the farewell album, Kxng Crooked was approached by Joell Ortiz with plans to make a series of duo albums with one another, resulting in four full-length LPs since 2020. Crooked has cited his partnership with Joell as a reinvigoration of his sound, resulting in him postponing his retirement.

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Joell Ortiz: Resilience & Rhyme In Music

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A lyrical powerhouse was stirring beneath the formidable shadow of Brooklyn. Joell Ortiz came up in the Cooper Projects, dominated by hardened concrete and even more set realities. Yet, these stoic confines were to become the incubator for one of Hip Hop’s most adroit lyricists. Life in Brooklyn taught Ortiz many things, and survival was top of the list. Inspired by this rough-and-tumble environment, he began painting his experiences lyrically. Ortiz’s raw street narratives fused with intricate wordplay caught attention and won him the EA Sports Battle tournament in 2004. This victory was a beacon that illuminated his path, guiding him from the projects to the world of pen and mic.

The Slaughterhouse Connection

NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 10: Slaughterhouse at John Ricard Studio on August 28, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by John Ricard/Getty Images)

When your verses drip with intensity, other lyrical masters can’t help but take notice. The late 2000s also brought together Joell Ortiz, Royce da 5’9″, Kxng Crooked, and Joe Budden under one roof. It was here that Slaughterhouse was born. The collective’s synergy was as explosive as it was dynamic, cementing their position in Hip Hop’s pantheon of greats.

While Slaughterhouse was an exercise in collaborative genius, Ortiz also proved his mettle in the solitary spotlight. His debut album, The Brick: Bodega Chronicles in 2007, wove together the threads of his early life. It was an introduction that resonated with listeners, a voice that demanded to be heard.

Metamorphosis Of A Master

From his first foray into Hip Hop to recent projects like 2021’s Autograph to the collaborative Harbor City Season One with Crook the following year, Ortiz’s evolution is a story of persistence and passion. Further, his lyrical landscapes over the years reveal an acute sensitivity to its rhythm and rhyme. It’s no wonder that Ortiz’s name frequently graces conversations about skilled rappers of the era.

Above all, Joell Ortiz advocates authenticity in an industry that often leans towards theatrics. He remains true to his roots, weaving his narratives around the realities of life—beauty and brutality. This commitment to honesty has created a connection with fans transcending beats and bars.

Shattering The Sound Barrier

Ortiz’s discography is as varied as it is vast, spanning across solo albums, collaborative projects, mixtapes, and EPs. Albums like Free Agent (2011) and House Slippers (2014) solidified his position as a tour de force in the rap industry. His lyrical expertise, paired with his ability to choose beats that flawlessly complemented his narratives, allowed Ortiz to create impactful soundscapes.

With every beat, verse, and rhyme, Joell Ortiz continues to write his story, etching his narrative into the annals of Hip Hop history. Recently, he announced his forthcoming collaborative project, Signature, alongside L’Orange. Fans anticipate what to expect as the artists drop their lead single, “OG.” Check that out above, and let us know your favorite bars from Joell Ortiz.

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Happy 45th Birthday Royce Da 5’9”!

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Born July 5th, Detroit rapper/songwriter Royce Da 5’9” has kicked down doors in the music industry and demanded a spot in the most talked about ‘Top Emcees List’. Known for his strategic lyrical layout and clever word rhyme, he also has a knack for vividly telling stories through song. Best known as one half of the rap duo Bad Meets Evil with Eminem and one half of the hip hop duo PRhyme with DJ Premier. He was also one quarter of the hip hop group Slaughterhouse with Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Kxng Crooked. Recently he added producer to his repertoire with his first two producer placements on Eminem’s new album, Music to Be Murdered By.

His recent album, The Allegory touched on several topics promoting the advancement of black businesses, family as well as mental health in urban communities. Easily one of this generation’s greatest minds, Royce continues to grow and share his ideology unapologetically with the world. With an extensive discography of classics, each project Royce puts out offers a different outlook laced with bars. His keen sense of worldly topics spills all over his lyrics and now his social media platforms. Whether he is speaking on hip hop or respecting the Black Lives Matter movement, his passion for humanity is undeniable. His friend and longtime collaborator Eminem recently announced that Royce joined his Marshall Mathers Foundation as the director of community engagement and social justice initiatives to provide privilege for the underprivileged.

Happy Birthday to your favorite MC’s favorite MC!

We salute you king.

What’s your favorite Royce Da 5’9” verse?

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Bad Meets Evil’s “Hell: The Sequel” Turns 12

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This year marks the 12th anniversary of Hell: The Sequel, the collaborative EP between Eminem and Royce Da 5’9” as Bad Meets Evil. The EP was released via Shady Records and Interscope on June 14, 2011. Features on the EP include Mike Epps, Bruno Mars, and Slaughterhouse, as well as production from Eminem, Havoc, Mr. Porter, DJ Khalil, and more. Hell: The Sequel was the first collaborative project between Eminem and Royce, but the two have worked closely together for their entire careers. The Bad Meets Evil duo dates back to 1998 when Eminem and Royce Da 5’9” initially connected for the “Nuttin To Do” single. They also teamed up in 1999 for the song “Bad Meets Evil” from Eminem’s The Slim Shady LP. On the song, Royce raps, “See you in Hell for the sequel.”

At the time of the release of Hell: The Sequel, Eminem was coming off a banner year. He released Recovery, which still remains one of his most commercially successful albums and includes multiple hit singles that have become an essential part of his catalog. Royce Da 5’9” previously released his Street Hop album and the first full-length Slaughterhouse record before they signed to Shady Records. We’re looking back at Bad Meets Evil’s Hell: The Sequel for its 12th anniversary.

Eminem & Royce Da 5’9″ Brought The Best Out Of Each Other

Eminem and Royce Da 5’9” first connected as Bad Meets Evil at the beginning of their careers, showing an undeniable chemistry between the two Detroit rap legends. The two fell out for many years due to a feud between Royce and Proof of D-12. Royce and Proof reconciled before Proof’s passing in 2006, leading to a reunion between Eminem and Royce. The song “Living Proof,” dedicated to Proof, is a back-to-basics collaboration between friends who are arguably two of the greatest rappers. 

The shock value and unpredictable rhyming on songs like “The Reunion” are prime examples of how Hell: The Sequel perfectly picked up where the two left off. The rappers brought the best out of each other on the EP. The project is full of dazzling flows as the two seamlessly trade bars with one another, displaying an effortless chemistry. The Havoc-produced “Welcome 2 Hell” sees the two trading verses back and forth, playing to each other’s strengths at a rapid pace. The intensity of the song is kept throughout the EP with aggressively witty tracks like “Fast Lane,” “Above The Law,” and “A Kiss.” Hell: The Sequel also has arguably the best production of any post-Recovery Eminem release.

A Concise Listen

The nine-track standard version of Hell: The Sequel clocks in at 37 minutes, and the additional bonus tracks make it 46 minutes. The 11 songs on the project left minimal room for error, making for an enjoyable listen with no filler. Many previous Eminem and Royce Da 5’9” albums tended to be lengthy, but Hell: The Sequel did not overstay its welcome. Both rappers’ fans were satisfied with the project, and its length added replay value. 

There was also plenty of variety, from intense bangers to humorous tracks like “I’m On Everything” and the sentimental lead single, “Lighters.” Diehard fans and critics alike have criticized Eminem for his long albums and pop songs, but Hell: The Sequel did not receive the polarizing reception that Eminem usually received for an album. The display of skills and chemistry between Eminem and Royce was almost definitely the reason for such positive reception. 

The Shady 2.0 Era

Aside from being the highly-anticipated collaborative EP from Eminem and Royce Da 5’9”, Hell: The Sequel also signified the Shady 2.0 era. Eminem had completely revamped Shady Records, signing Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse, the latter of which Royce was a member. Slaughterhouse had previously appeared on “Session One” from Recovery and backed Eminem in the “Forever” video. 

Eminem, Slaughterhouse, and Yelawolf were a united Shady Records in their historic BET Cypher and their song, “2.0 Boys.” The song “Loud Noises” from Hell: The Sequel was a frantic declaration of Slaughterhouse’s signing to Shady. Eminem, Royce, KXNG Crooked, Joe Budden, and Joell Ortiz spat head-spinning bars with clever punchlines and aggressive delivery. The song was a glimpse of what could have been one of the strongest hip hop labels. It was an incredibly promising track before the widespread disappointment of Slaughterhouse’s Shady debut and their breakup.

Despite the dissolution of Slaughterhouse in the following years, Hell: The Sequel was a moment for Eminem as a rapper and label executive and Royce as a solo artist and member of multiple groups. Since 2011, Eminem and Royce Da 5’9” have worked together as Bad Meets Evil on the 2014 Shady XV compilation and the 2015 Shady-produced Southpaw soundtrack. The two also appeared on each other’s songs, such as “Caterpillar” and “Not Alike.” Eminem’s most recent album, 2020’s Music to be Murdered By, featured three Royce Da 5’9” features, including a Joe Budden-less Slaughterhouse reunion. The quality of Hell: The Sequel has left fans longing for another Bad Meets Evil release. According to Royce, the possibility of more Bad Meets Evil is up in the air.

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Royce Da 5’9” And Redman Trade Verses For The Heaven Experience: The Lost Sessions EP

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Rapper/visionary Royce Da 5’9″ has gone on record several times stating that Redman is one of his favorite MC’s. The two rap heavy-hitters share a mutual admiration as Redman has sung Royce praises on social media while listening to the Detroit veteran. At the beginning of the clip Redman says, “Royce 5 fucking 9, n-gga. Listen to this fucking verse.” From there, he lets the song ‘Flesh’ play as he nods his head to the beat. Fast forward to now, it comes as no surprise that the two lyrical giants would trade verses on their latest track, “Royce & Reggie.”

Redman sets the tone of the song with his hard-hitting classic punchlines “women all in my DM/ Give ’em that super-dick/ Yeah, I Apollo Creed ’em.” Royce follows, showcasing his technical skills and lyrical prowess over the DJ Pain 1-produced beat.

The song is featured on Royce’s newly released The Heaven Experience: Lost Sessions EP. The six-track EP takes the listener on a rollercoaster of emotions from personal stories about his uncle to his transformation into a ‘Grown Ass Man’. Ion Wanna” feat. Courtney Bell and Traxx Sanders displays storytelling at its finest rounding out a perfectly well-rounded EP with no skips.

Always reinventing himself through new ideas, The Heaven Experience: Lost Sessions is part of a new virtual world Royce has launched in partnership with Passage, a Metaverse and NFT marketplace and blog.

The project is available across all streaming platforms through Heaven Studios Inc. in partnership with The Orchard. Fans can participate in the Metaverse-like experience by buying the Heaven Experience Pass on April 4.

“The more you achieve, the more you’ll realize how much sum’n like this means to you… I studied Redman like religion just so I could be reciprocal if I should ever one day have a chance to be,” he wrote. “I needed this to be his reaction to me because this was always my reaction to him.

“We all experience our own subjective versions of perceived success but what are the people who cheer for us, celebrating? The most visible, obvious things are the easiest to forget about over time and Legacy is everything to me.”

CLICK HERE to listen to The Heaven Experience: The Lost Sessions

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