As a duo, Detroit rappers Ryan Daniel Montgomery, 38, who is professionally known as Royce da 5'9", and Marshall Mathers III, 43, who is professionally known as Eminem, are known as Bad Meets Evil. Recently, the former revealed how he and the latter met and eventually collaborated.
It was Kino Childrey, the manager of Royce da 5'9", who introduced the two Detroit rappers. At the time, Royce da 5'9" was performing onstage at a show attended by Eminem who was selling "Slim Shady EP," which was released in 1997.
"So we ended up getting on the phone, having some conversations," Royce da 5'9" told XXL. He said it led to getting in the studio in Detroit and recording the song "Bad Meets Evil," which he and Eminem co-wrote and became their name as a duo.
According to Royce da 5'9", Eminem reached back out to him when he eventually signed his deal with Dr. Dre because he wanted to put "Bad Meets Evil" on "The Slim Shady LP." Released on Feb. 23, 1999, the album is Eminem's second studio album and first album released under a major label.
Royce da 5'9" then flew out to Los Angeles to re-record the vocals of "Bad Meets Evil." He said that was when he and Eminem "got like super tight."
Bad Meets Evil has released one EP, which is "Hell: The Sequel" released in 2011, and no studio album. While fans are still waiting for Eminem's ninth studio album, Royce da 5'9" is set to release his sixth studio album titled "Layers."
Having been busy travelling and running around, Royce da 5'9" said he has not had a chance to play Eminem the "Layers" album. The former said they normally travel together but not recently, especially during the times the latter has left Detroit.
Meanwhile, Eminem recently performed The Weeknd's "The Hills" during his set at Lollapalooza Brazil, Rolling Stone has learned. The song is the second single from the Canadian singer's second studio album titled "Beauty Behind the Madness, which was released on May 27, 2015.
Eminem is also set to perform in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago, Chile, for Lollapalooza festivals. Watch Eminem perform The Weeknd's "The Hills" here: