Beyond his evolution, Royce is adamant about teaching the next generation of rappers how to avoid the pitfalls that once consumed him. He knows that luck played a part in his path to success, and without it, he could be working third shift at someone’s plant.
“When you drink every day, you don’t really reflect. You know, really self-analyze,” he says. “The universe just kind of pushes you around, and that’s not a good way to be. This business is kind of designed to push you around, so you gotta be on top of things and get ahead. It’s bad enough that we come in with no little to no information. … That’s got to stop, [and] I feel like it’s up to the OGs.”
If there is one thing his fans and followers know, Royce 5’9″ has never been accused of being shallow. Even in his darkest state, he built a legacy that has inspired a generation of lyrical assassins. Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, you name the emcee (or femcee), Nickel had a hand in his or her development. The rhyme patterns, the inflections, the cadences — it’s all there. They know it, and so does he.
“I’m definitely responsible for inspiring some of them,” he says matter-of-factly. “Kendrick and Cole for sure. I don’t know about if I can say an entire generation, but guys that rap like that, for sure. We had conversations before. They just like a certain kind of rap and … whatever you’re into is gonna give you a start for your style. They took what I do, what Eminem does, probably a few other people … and made it their own. They’re very, very original, you know? And I feel like I am, too.”
He says this while sporting a diamond-encrusted ring shaped like a goat (to signify the acronym GOAT) that clearly speaks to his aspirations and, perhaps, his current convictions. Not for nothing, since the release of Book of Ryan and a few breathtaking singles, “Upside Down” included, this piece of jewelry is more substantiated by the listening public and the next generation as the release of Allegory approaches.
While he clearly embraces the idea of being the best lyricist and outright claims it in the booth, the levels, he insists, are too ambiguous to determine a clear victor.
“I don’t think there’s such an individual, to be totally honest with you, only because there’s so many layers to being a lyricist,” he reasons. “It’d be difficult for me to say that Eminem is better than Black Thought and vice versa because they do two totally different things. And then you got Jay-Z, who’s still around, and then you got Nas. Even when I’m looking at my favorites … I still don’t know.”
This debate will certainly rage on, but it’s safe to say the music will continue to speak for itself.
Story by N. Ali Early
Images by Javin Foreman – 4Management
