*By Christian Smith*
On his new album, the rapper Royce 5'9" adopts a more optimistic tone while reflecting on his experiences growing up in Detroit in the 1980s.
"It's kind of an autobiographical, it talks about everything that I went through as a child," said Royce da 5'9", whose given name is Ryan Daniel Montgomery. "I reflect on it in a way where I compare it to why I'm how I am today, be that good or bad."
The new LP, "Book of Ryan," is Royce's seventh solo album and goes on sale Friday. It features some of the biggest names in hip hop, including J. Cole, Pusha T, and Royce's long-time friend and mentor Eminem.
The album is about growing up in Detroit, Royce's struggles with alcoholism, politics, and "Staying Woke," the title of a song from the album. The rapper said he got sober in September 2012, and credits Eminem with helping him make it music and contend with his addiction.
"It's almost kind of like Em was hand delivered to me from God," said Royce. "He put me in the business, and he's also the one who helped me get sober."
Royce recorded "Book of Ryan" in Detroit at his newly-constructed recording studio, Heaven Studio. He said the album and his hip-hop career are compilations of all of his good and bad decisions, and in the end he was, "happy with the way it turned out."
For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/rapper-royce-59-releasing-new-album-book-of-ryan).
In entertainment today, De Niro's getting tips and Netflix is going to make us all pay.
An Illinois attorney general's office investigation released Tuesday found that 451 Catholic clergy sexually abused nearly 2,000 children in the state over a nearly 70-year period, which was more than four times the 103 individuals the church named when the state began its review in 2018.
Paramount Global is set to absorb Showtime into Paramount+, creating a single streaming option to compete with the likes of Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max. The company also plans to raise the monthly price from $9.99 to $11.99 per month after the integration.
HBO released a sneak peek of next week's series finale for 'Succession' after four seasons.
Dua Lipa is teasing her new single from the upcoming 'Barbie' movie.
Warner Bros. released the official trailer for the upcoming musical film, 'The Color Purple,' based on the novel and 1985 original film.
Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. noticed a young boy who had a sign that read he had beaten cancer. Guerrero decided to surprise the young fan.
From the newest 'American Idol' to the end of a 'Bill & Ted's' hot spot, here are your top entertainment headlines.
Cheddar's own Shannon LaNier is taking a staycation, and all week he'll be trying out different summer activities in New York and the surrounding area that will hopefully serve as an inspiration no matter where you live. On Monday, Shannon traveled to Huntington, New York to get a taste of the boating life. He spoke with Maggie Maskery, head of public relations for Discover Boating, about some of the best boat share options.
A guitar destroyed by Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain sold for nearly $600,000 dollars on Saturday at an auction in a Hard Rock Café in New York City.
