Royce Da 5’9″ Gifts Baby Eminem with a Limited-Edition Record and Shares a Touching Memory of Their Journey

Introduction

In a heartfelt gesture that has warmed the hearts of hip-hop fans, Royce Da 5’9″, Eminem’s longtime friend and collaborator, visited Detroit in April 2025 to gift Eminem’s newborn grandson, the son of Hailie Jade Scott and Evan McClintock, a limited-edition vinyl record of their Bad Meets Evil EP, Hell: The Sequel (2011). The gift, presented during a quiet moment at Eminem’s home, was accompanied by Royce sharing a poignant memory of their early days, reflecting on their journey from Detroit’s underground to global stardom. The visit, marked by nostalgia and hope for the next generation, underscores the deep bond between the two rappers and their shared legacy. This article delves into the touching moment, the significance of the gift, and the fan response, set against the backdrop of their storied partnership.

The Heartfelt Gift

The visit occurred in mid-April 2025, shortly after the birth of Eminem’s grandson, announced in October 2024 via the “Temporary” music video from The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce). Royce, a Detroit native and one-half of the rap duo Bad Meets Evil with Eminem, arrived at Eminem’s home with a custom-pressed vinyl of Hell: The Sequel, their 2011 EP that debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and featured hits like “Lighters” and “Fast Lane.” The record, limited to 100 copies and embossed with “For Elliot, From Uncle Royce,” was a nod to the baby’s rumored name and a symbol of their musical legacy.

According to Eminem.Pro, Royce presented the gift in Eminem’s home studio, where the two often crafted tracks in the late 1990s. As he handed over the vinyl, Royce reportedly said, “This is for the little man to know where his grandpa and I came from. Maybe one day he’ll spin it and feel the hunger we had.” The moment was intimate, with Eminem, visibly moved, cradling his grandson while nodding in appreciation. Royce’s choice of Hell: The Sequel was deliberate, representing their reunion after years of estrangement and their triumph as a duo, certified Gold by the RIAA.

A Touching Memory Shared

During the visit, Royce shared a memory from December 29, 1997, when he first met Eminem through his manager, Kino Childrey, at a concert where Royce was opening for Usher. As recounted in a 2020 Billboard interview, the two clicked instantly, freestyling in a Detroit studio and forming Bad Meets Evil. Royce told Eminem, “We were just two kids from the D, battling in basements, no money, just dreams. You’d rap so fast I’d have to step my game up just to keep up.” He recalled a night at the Hip Hop Shop, where they traded bars until dawn, with Proof hyping them up, a moment that cemented their brotherhood.

Royce’s story highlighted their struggles—Eminem’s early rejection by labels, Royce’s disputes with Columbia Records over his 2002 album Rock City—and their resilience. He noted a low point in 2001, when their friendship frayed after Royce refused Dr. Dre’s request to part with Kino, leading to a feud with Eminem’s group D12. “We lost touch, but Proof’s death in ’06 brought us back,” Royce said, his voice breaking. “I wish he could’ve seen this kid.” The memory, shared as they looked at the baby, connected their past hunger to the hope they now see in Eminem’s grandson.

The Eminem-Royce Bond

Royce Da 5’9″ (Ryan Montgomery) and Eminem (Marshall Mathers) have been pillars of Detroit’s rap scene since the late 1990s. Introduced in 1997, they formed Bad Meets Evil, releasing tracks like “Nuttin’ to Do” and “Scary Movies” in 1998. Royce featured on Eminem’s The Slim Shady LP (1999) in “Bad Meets Evil,” but their partnership hit roadblocks due to management conflicts and a 2002-2006 feud with D12, sparked by a misunderstood freestyle. Proof’s death in 2006, a mutual friend, prompted reconciliation, leading to Royce signing with Shady Records in 2011 and the release of Hell: The Sequel.

Their collaboration extends beyond music. In 2020, Eminem appointed Royce as Director of Community Engagement and Social Justice Initiatives at the Marshall Mathers Foundation, where Royce has spearheaded mental health initiatives for underserved communities in Detroit. Royce’s production credits on Eminem’s Music to Be Murdered By (2020), including “Darkness” and “You Gon’ Learn,” marked a new creative peak, with Royce calling it “a blessing” to earn Eminem’s trust as a producer. Their bond, tested by beefs and tragedy, is defined by loyalty, with Royce defending Eminem against critics like Benzino in 2024, emphasizing Eminem’s contributions to hip-hop and Detroit.

The Significance of the Gift

The limited-edition Hell: The Sequel vinyl is more than a keepsake; it’s a piece of hip-hop history. The EP, praised for its raw lyricism, marked Bad Meets Evil’s mainstream breakthrough, with “Lighters” peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. The vinyl’s rarity—only 100 copies, never released commercially—adds to its value, potentially a collector’s item for Eminem’s grandson in the future. Royce’s inscription, “For Elliot, From Uncle Royce,” personalizes the gift, positioning him as a family figure, much like Dr. Dre and 50 Cent, who also visited with gifts.

The choice of Hell: The Sequel reflects a high point after years of struggle, symbolizing redemption and unity. Royce’s 2011 comment to MTV about the EP—“We just wanted to do a raw hip-hop record on a bigger stage”—echoes the hunger he hopes to pass on. For Eminem, a grandfather at 52, the gift connects his past as a scrappy MC to his present as a family man, especially poignant after losing his mother, Debbie Nelson, in December 2024.

Fan Reaction

Fans on X exploded with emotion when news of Royce’s gift leaked, likely through a family friend’s post. One user wrote, “Royce giving Em’s grandson a Hell: The Sequel vinyl? That’s legacy. Uncle Royce out here making us cry! #BadMeetsEvil,” while another posted, “Imagine that kid spinning Royce and Em’s record one day, knowing his grandpa’s a GOAT. #GrandpaEm.” A third shared, “Royce’s story about battling with Em in ’97 hits different now. That vinyl’s for the next gen. #DetroitPride.” The hashtag #BadMeetsEvil trended briefly, with fans sharing clips of “Fast Lane” and “Lighters,” celebrating the duo’s chemistry.

Fan art depicted a cartoon Royce handing a tiny vinyl to a baby in a Shady Records onesie, while memes joked about the newborn “producing beats with Uncle Royce.” The reaction highlighted Royce’s underrated status, with one post reading, “Royce Da 5’9″ deserves his flowers. From battling with Em to gifting his grandson, he’s a real one.” The gesture also sparked nostalgia for D12 and Proof, with fans noting the bittersweet absence of their influence in the moment.

Cultural and Emotional Resonance

The gift and Royce’s memory resonate with Detroit’s hip-hop legacy, where Eminem, Royce, and D12 put the city on the map. Royce’s role in the Marshall Mathers Foundation, addressing mental health in Black and Brown communities, ties the gesture to their shared commitment to giving back. The vinyl symbolizes not just their music but their survival—through poverty, feuds, and loss, including Proof’s 2006 death, which Royce referenced emotionally.

For Eminem, the moment bridges his past and future. His 2025 Elliot’s Legacy tour, named after his grandson, reflects a family-focused phase, with rumored support from Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. The gift aligns with other acts of generosity, like Eminem’s $50,000 tip to waitress Mia Carter, which inspired her charitable diner, Hope’s Kitchen. Royce’s visit, like those of Rihanna, Dre, and 50 Cent, underscores Eminem’s support system as he navigates grandfatherhood amid personal loss.

Conclusion

Royce Da 5’9″’s gift of a limited-edition Hell: The Sequel vinyl to Eminem’s newborn grandson in April 2025 is a powerful symbol of their shared journey from Detroit’s underground to hip-hop royalty. Paired with a touching memory of their 1997 meeting and early struggles, the gesture celebrates their Bad Meets Evil legacy while passing it to the next generation. The intimate moment, marked by Eminem’s emotion and Royce’s heartfelt words, moved fans, who flooded X with tributes to their bond and Detroit pride. As Eminem embraces grandfatherhood and Royce continues to champion their city, the vinyl stands as a testament to loyalty, resilience, and the music that made them legends. For the baby, it’s a piece of history—and a reminder that his “Uncle Royce” and Grandpa Marshall never stopped fighting for their dreams.