Royce Da 5’9″ On Going Sober, Eminem, J. Cole, Phone Rap Battle With Pharrell, Logic & More [Video]

Here’s the second part of Royce Da 5’9″‘s sit down with Hard Knock TV’s Nick Huff Barili. “Book of Ryan” out now!

The conversation starts with Royce describing first time he met Marshall Mathers aka Eminem, even recalling the line he spit at the show that impressed Em. Royce goes on to share that he used to have rap battles over the phone including one with Eminem, Pharrell (who Royce said sounded like Nas at the time) and a group called The Clinic. When Royce first signed to Tommy Boy Records, The Neptunes were the second producers he worked with, the first was DJ Premier. As the interview continues Royce breaks down inspiration behind the PRhyme track Era as well as why its important to show love the the younger generation of rappers. Royce states that too often in hip hop if a mc praises another mc he is seen as a dick rider but if when he says something negative then he is a hater. Royce goes out of his way to show love to those he respects and says he studies J Cole and Kenrick’s albums because they are the young kings. Royce’s new album Book Of Ryan features J Cole, Boogie, Dave East and Logic. Part 2 of the interview ends with Royce describing the day he choose to go sober 6 years ago and how Eminem played a role in that. Royce also says that it is important to check in on your strong friend because often the quiet ones are the ones that try to deal with everything on their own without help from others. Royce points out that the deaths of Chester Bennington and DJ AM as examples of strong people who took their own lifes and asks us to reflect onwhat does that say about our industry? Part 2 ends with Royce saying that artists like Logic are helping open up the conversation about mental health by talking about it and letting others know they are not alone in what they are going through!