Royce Da 5'9" Breaks Down His 25 Most Essential Songs
By Insanul Ahmed | Jun 15, 2011 | 3:45 pm | Permalink
Royce Da 5’9” is living proof that sometimes, there are second acts in life. After a promising start in the late ‘90s where he was heralded as the next big thing coming out of Detroit, Royce’s career took a wrong turn. Through most of the aughts—as his buddy Eminem shot to super stardom—Nickel Nine flirted with obscurity, alcohol abuse, and complete self-destruction.
Yet here is he today in a better position then ever before. His group Slaughterhouse is signed to Shady. Although their album is awhile away, he just dropped Hell: The Sequel alongside his partner-in-rhyme Eminem this week. And in many ways (and he’s the first to admit this) he’s a better rapper than he was before. What happened to Royce Da 5’9”? To find out, we got on the horn with Royce to ask about why he loves rapping about his dick, how he didn’t like Joe Budden initially, and whether or not that was a real bazooka he threatened Benzino with...
As told to Insanul Ahmed (@Incilin)
The ILLatino June 15th, 2011 at 05:42 PM
"Vagina" and "Skinny Jeans" but no "Ding!" or "Motown 25" ????
Simplistic June 16th, 2011 at 12:06 AM
Sick article! I never even realized how much of a Royce fan I was until reading this. I love every one of the songs listed here (and more). Nice read. Very well done.
Hit June 16th, 2011 at 12:56 AM
The fact that Motown 25 isn't on this list is a travesty.
Carlton Banks June 16th, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Good article.
dmfslimm June 16th, 2011 at 11:48 AM
thank you royce and thank you complex. keep up the good work. both of yall.
Onslaught June 16th, 2011 at 03:57 PM
Frequency produced Onslaught.
12th Letter October 17th, 2011 at 06:36 PM
I know I'm late but that's the remix Freq did on the ep not the original.
Nick June 26th, 2011 at 04:23 AM
I'm surprised nothing from Independent's Day or stuff from his many many mixtapes was listed. I haven't seen that album mentioned once while reading these interviews.
MsToni June 27th, 2011 at 12:25 PM
I'm the King!!!! This was the first track that I heard from Royce. I was about 11 when GTA III came out and this song was part of the rotation on Game Radio. That was back when I didn't know who Alchemist was lol...what can I say. I still got that ish on my IPod and I still know all the words! We Live was another sick track by Royce.
ajc3317 June 29th, 2011 at 01:20 AM
same here mstoni, gta 3 was what put me on royce, and rap in general really. i'm the king and spit game in particular were both sick
RTrizzy December 1st, 2011 at 11:15 PM
Dear Royce, Boom was your best song. Most essential, most influential, and just the greatest. Classic old school rap with one of the greatest beats in hip-hop history, produced by DJ Premier. nuff said