Royce Da 5’9” Interview
July 22, 2005

While most Hip-Hop artists continue to rely on major labels and industry politics, Detroit-bred MC Royce Da 5’9” answers only to himself. After his 2002 Sony debut Rock City, and his 2004 sophomore album Death Is Certain sold close to 200,000 copies combined, Royce Da 5’9 started off the new year by taking control of his music’s destiny.

On the heels of his critically acclaimed M.I.C. Official Mixtape, released last October, he drops his third studio album, Independent’s Day, featuring production from Carlos “6 July” Broady and Nottz (two of the finest in hard-core Hip-Hop).

In this exclusive interview with hiphopgalaxy.com Royce Da 5’9 talks about his new album "Independent’s Day", about his label "MIC Records", and what projects we should look out for in the near future.

Hip Hop Galaxy : How’s everything going Royce ?
Royce da 5’9 : Everything is great.

Hip Hop Galaxy : What can we expect on your new joint "Independent’s Day" ?
Royce da 5’9 : You can expect the unexpected. I’m always try to change my sound from album to album. People try to pigeon hole me into one style of rap but if you look at my track record I’ve always changed my sound from album to album.

Hip Hop Galaxy : What are going to be some of the topics you address on this album ?
Royce da 5’9 : I didn’t get into to many topics on this album not because I didn’t want to but, it just happened that way. The main purpose of this album was to help give the independent scene some new light and a new look.

Hip Hop Galaxy : Who were your main influences coming up ?
Royce da 5’9 : If we’re talking about rap Rass Kass and Redman were very big influences in my life. I started rapping big words when I heard "Rass Soul on Ice" and with Red I mimicked his style for a good minute too.

Hip Hop Galaxy : What does the title "Independent’s day" mean to you ?
Royce da 5’9 : Rap started off breaking most of its biggest talents on the indie scene. Label wasn’t convinced that it had staying power and people didn’t understand it. So for me I’m trying to take it back there wherethe people who understood it most were the people in control not the other way around.

Hip Hop Galaxy : How this new album is different from your last projects ?
Royce da 5’9 : this is my most versatile album to date. I didn’t intend for it to by that way but it started off as a mixtape and when i was ready to turn it in kino(manager) told me we had to make it a album to maintain our national distribution so i went in recorded a few new songs and in two weeks I had a complete album.

Hip Hop Galaxy : Do you have a favorite track ?
Royce da 5’9 : I love different tracks on different days for different reasons. Today I’m probably listening to "I Owe U".

Hip Hop Galaxy : What ?s it like working with Producers like K.I.D.D. and Nottz ?
Royce da 5’9 : I love working with both alot. K.I.D.D is always gonna bring new beat to the studio every time i see him. I dont think he ever sleeps. And Nottz his track record speaks for itself. Me and Nottz are alot alike neither one of us are big talkers but when we get in the studio it’s crazy. we got records together that I dont even think the game is ready for. we’ve already recorded about 15 to 20 tracks for the album and we really haven’t gotten started yet.

Hip Hop Galaxy : How did you get down with Sara Stokes ?
Royce da 5’9 : I was always a fan of hers by the way she carried herself on "Making The Band". She was always the mature one in the bunch. So when the producer came to me with the track me and kino both thought Sara would be perfect. So we reached out and she was down. And after working with her I can tell you she’s a real talented person I look forward to working with her more in the future.

Hip Hop Galaxy : What do you think about the independent label MIC Records, are you happy with the promotion or are you looking for a major label now ?
Royce da 5’9 : The M.I.C is a label with me, kino & Mike and Im very happy with it because it’s ours. Now the promotions end of it we’re still getting a grasp on but, it’s controlled by us and our destiny is in our hands. Selling a record is no different from recording a record it’s a goal, objective & a plan. as far as a major I turn one down everyday. when we hear the deal we want then we’ll be ready to talk.

Hip Hop Galaxy : How would you rate this album from Rock City till now ?
Royce da 5’9 : I’m a better emcee with a better grasp on putting a album together. So I like like this one but RockCity wasn’t bad for my first.

Hip Hop Galaxy : How do you feel about the status of hip hop ? Where do you think we’re at right now ?
Royce da 5’9 : As long as it continues to grow in a positive direction I feel good about it. People like to complain about hip hops direction but in what other profession do you see so many young black and latino people taking control of their own career. Hip Hop is turning a lot of young black entertainers into business men and women. I’m one of them

Hip Hop Galaxy : When you look at your career now, at the point your at, what are you most proud of ?
Royce da 5’9 : I’m proud of so many things but just having the opportunity to make good music that people enjoy makes me proud.

Hip Hop Galaxy : Who would you like to work with now ? What rappers coming up are you feeling ?
Royce da 5’9 : this is always a very boring answer to me because whenever I’m asked this I always say "the door is always open to work with anyone". Sorry for the dull answer but it’s the truth.

Hip Hop Galaxy : What are you listening to these days, what’s in your CD player ? Your top 10 songs ?
Royce da 5’9 : "Independent’s Day" is in my cd player right now and my top 10 songs...well I have fourteen top favorite songs right now. I’m sure you can guess what they are. lol

Hip Hop Galaxy : Where or when can we see you perform ? Are you doing an appearances or anything for the fans ?
Royce da 5’9 : I’ll be in Miami on aug. 6th with Mike Jones and Kino is trying to put together something right now but we dont want to jinx it. It’s going to be crazy when we do announce it though.

Hip Hop Galaxy : What else can we expect from you in the near-future ?
Royce da 5’9 : Too many things to list in one conversation but the short version...more music and anything related to it.

Hip Hop Galaxy : Will you work with Primo again ?
Royce da 5’9 : Of course that’ s like family him and los (Carlos "6 July" Broady). You’ll be seeing me and premo work together again real soon.

Hip Hop Galaxy : Alright that’s all I have. Thanks for taking the time for this interview. Good luck with this great album.
Royce da 5’9 : Thank you and thanx for taking the time out to do this interview.

New album :
Royce da 5’9 "Independents Day"
In Stores Now !!!!!
(remember : Pick Up 3 Copies !!)

Thanks to Dave Goodson

No profanity, or inaproppriate remarks.