Royce da 5’9” Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Parents, Height, Songs, Albums

Biography

Ryan Daniel Montgomery, professionally known as Royce da 5’9”, is a legendary American rapper, songwriter, and producer born on July 5, 1977, in Detroit, Michigan.

He rose to prominence in the late 1990s with his intricate lyricism and masterful rhyme schemes. A prominent figure in hip-hop, Royce is best known as one-half of the duo Bad Meets Evil, alongside Eminem, and as a member of the rap supergroup Slaughterhouse.

His critically acclaimed albums, such as “Book of Ryan” (2018) and “The Allegory” (2020), showcase his introspective storytelling and thought-provoking social commentary. A Grammy-nominated artist, Royce is widely respected for his technical prowess and lasting impact on Detroit’s hip-hop landscape.

American rapper
Royce da 5’9”
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Ryan Daniel Montgomery
Stage Name:	Royce da 5’9”
Born:	5 July 1977 (age 47 years old)
Place of Birth:	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Oak Park High School,
Height:	1.75 m
Parents:	Greg Montgomery, Judy Montgomery
Siblings:	Kid Vishis
Spouse:	Artegia Montgomery (m. 2002)
Girlfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	Lyric Montgomery, James Montgomery, Trenton Montgomery
Occupation:	Rapper • Record Producer
Net Worth:	$1 million-$7.5 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Ryan Daniel Montgomery, known professionally as Royce da 5’9″, was born on July 5, 1977, in Detroit, Michigan, United States. He is of African-American ethnicity and identifies as a Christian, though he keeps his religious practices relatively private.

His parents are Greg Montgomery and Judy Montgomery, but specific details about their occupations or backgrounds are not widely documented. Royce has a younger brother, Kid Vishis, also a rapper, with whom he has collaborated on tracks like “Thou Shall” from Royce‘s album, The Allegory.

Raised in Detroit, Royce was deeply influenced by the city’s vibrant hip-hop scene, which fueled his musical ambitions. At age 10, he moved to Oak Park, Michigan, where he later attended Oak Park High School. During his teenage years, he earned the nickname “Royce” from a Turkish-link chain with an “R” pendant, resembling the Rolls-Royce logo.

Inspired by artists such as Ras Kass, Redman, Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Esham, Heltah Skeltah, LL Cool J, Nas, Jay-Z, Detroit’s Most Wanted, and N.W.A., he began writing poetry at 16 and started rapping at 18, briefly using the stage name R-Dog before abandoning it.

Royce faced challenges with truancy during his school years, resulting in multiple expulsions due to poor attendance and academic performance, as his passion for music often took precedence. Beyond attending Oak Park High School, there is no record of him pursuing higher education as he focused on his burgeoning hip-hop career. He honed his craft in Detroit’s open mic circuits, earning local recognition for his freestyling and lyrical skill.

A pivotal moment came on December 29, 1997, when Royce, through his manager Kino Childrey, met Eminem at a concert where he opened for Usher. This encounter led to the formation of their duo, Bad Meets Evil, marking a significant step in his career.

Royce also struggled with binge drinking starting at age 21, which he later overcame through sobriety in 2012, with support from Eminem.

Career

Royce da 5’9″, born Ryan Daniel Montgomery, is a foundational figure in Detroit’s hip-hop landscape, revered for his intricate lyricism, technical precision, and influential collaborations.

Emerging in the late 1990s, Royce honed his skills on Detroit’s open mic circuit before a career-defining encounter on December 29, 1997, when he met Eminem through his manager, Kino Childrey, at a concert where Royce opened for Usher. This meeting sparked the creation of the duo Bad Meets Evil, leading to early collaborations, including their standout track “Bad Meets Evil” on Eminem’s The Slim Shady LP (1999).

Royce’s solo debut, Rock City (2002), was hindered by label issues with Columbia Records but introduced his raw talent through singles like “Boom” and “You Can’t Touch Me.” While critically praised, the album’s commercial performance and Royce’s personal struggles—including legal troubles—slowed his momentum. He regained footing with Death Is Certain (2004), a darker, introspective project largely produced by DJ Premier that helped cement his reputation for gritty, reflective storytelling.

In 2006, Royce co-founded the rap supergroup Slaughterhouse alongside Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, and Crooked I. The group’s lyrical intensity drew a dedicated fan base, with projects like Slaughterhouse (2009) and Welcome to: Our House (2012) under Shady Records.

Although internal tensions ultimately led to the group’s dissolution, their influence on both underground and mainstream rap was significant. Meanwhile, Bad Meets Evil reunited for the Hell: The Sequel EP (2011), featuring the hit “Lighters” with Bruno Mars and earning a Grammy nomination for “Fast Lane,” topping the Billboard 200.

Royce continued to elevate his solo career with Success Is Certain (2011) and Layers (2016), the latter debuting at No. 22 on the Billboard 200. His 2018 release, Book of Ryan, a deeply personal exploration of his upbringing and battle with alcoholism, marked a creative high point and reached No. 24 on the Billboard 200.

In 2020, he showcased his evolution as both a lyricist and producer with The Allegory, a politically charged, self-produced album that earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album, addressing systemic injustice and personal accountability.

Beyond music, Royce has made his mark as a producer, working with Eminem and D12, and as a mentor through the Ryan Montgomery Foundation, which supports youth education and empowerment.

He also launched The Heaven Experience podcast, offering deeper insights into his life and philosophies. Recent projects like The Heaven Experience, Vol. 1 (2023) and collaborations with artists such as Black Thought and J. Cole further illustrate his continued relevance.

With eight solo albums, acclaimed group projects, and an enduring legacy of lyrical excellence, Royce da 5’9” remains one of hip-hop’s most respected and influential voices—balancing artistic authenticity with cultural resonance.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Royce da 5’9
• Instagram: Royce 5’9” (@royceda59)
• Twitter: Nickle (@Royceda59) / X
• YouTube: Royce 5’9 Official
• Facebook: Royce 5’9″

Personal Life

Royce da 5’9″, born Ryan Daniel Montgomery on July 5, 1977, in Detroit, Michigan, is 47 years old.

He is married to his high school sweetheart, Artegia Montgomery, whom he met in Spanish class at Oak Park High School, bonding over their shared love for hip-hop, particularly The Roots. They began dating in 1995 and married in 2002 after seven years together.

Despite challenges, including Royce’s struggles with alcoholism and infidelity, their marriage endured, rooted in a mutual stance against divorce influenced by their upbringings.

Royce and Artegia have five children: two sons, Trenton Montgomery and James Montgomery, and three daughters, one named Lyric Montgomery, with the names of the other two not publicly disclosed.

Royce has shared how his sobriety, achieved in 2012, deepened his role as a father, particularly with his younger daughters, and strengthened his bond with his eldest son, an aspiring artist.

He stands at 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters), inspiring his stage name “Royce da 5’9″“, which also reflects numerical themes in his life, like finding his calling as a rapper in 1995 and family events tied to the numbers 5 and 9, as noted in his song “Tabernacle.”

Net Worth

Royce da 5’9″, born Ryan Daniel Montgomery, has an estimated net worth ranging from $1 million to $7.5 million.

His wealth stems from a 25-year career in hip-hop, including solo albums like Book of Ryan and The Allegory, collaborations with Eminem in Bad Meets Evil, and his work with Slaughterhouse and PRhyme.

Additional income comes from streaming royalties, concert performances, songwriting, producing, and endorsements. Despite early career setbacks, such as label disputes and a leaked debut album, Royce’s consistent output and strategic partnerships have ensured steady financial growth.

Discography

Solo Studio Albums

1. Rock City (Version 2.0) (2002)
2. Death Is Certain (2004)
3. Independent’s Day (2005)
4. Street Hop (2009)
5. Success Is Certain (2011)
6. Layers (2016)
7. Book of Ryan (2018)
8. The Allegory (2020)

Collaborative Albums

• Bad Meets Evil (with Eminem)
  • Hell: The Sequel (2011)
• Slaughterhouse (with Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, and KXNG Crooked)
  • Slaughterhouse (2009)
  • Welcome to: Our House (2012)
• PRhyme (with DJ Premier)
  • PRhyme (2014)
  • PRhyme 2 (2018)
• Other Collaborative Projects
  • M.I.C. (Make It Count) (2006, as part of Bar Exam series)
  • The Heaven Experience, Vol. 1 (2023, compilation with various artists)

Extended Plays (EPs)

• The Allegory EP (2021)

Mixtapes

1. The M.I.C. (Make It Count) Mixtape (2004)
2. The Bar Exam (2007)
3. The Bar Exam 2 (2008)
4. The Bar Exam 3 (2010)
5. The Bar Exam 4 (2017)
6. The Revival EP (2008)
7. Street Hop Mixtape (2009)
8. The Bar Exam 2: The Album (2008, sometimes considered an official album)
9. Lost Files (2016)
10. Tabernacle: Trust the Shooter (2016)
11. The Lost Files 2 (2018)

Notable Singles

• Solo Singles:
  • “Boom” (2002, from Rock City)
  • “You Can’t Touch Me” (2002, from Rock City)
  • “Hip Hop” (2004, from Death Is Certain)
  • “I Promise” (2018, from Book of Ryan)
  • “Overcomer” (2020, from The Allegory)
• As Featured Artist (Selected):
  • “Bad Meets Evil” (1999, with Eminem, from The Slim Shady LP)
  • “Lighters” (2011, Bad Meets Evil feat. Bruno Mars, from Hell: The Sequel)
  • “Not Alike” (2018, with Eminem, from Kamikaze)
  • “You Gon’ Learn” (2020, with Eminem and White Gold, from Music to Be Murdered By)
  • “Detroit vs. Everybody” (2014, with Eminem, Big Sean, Danny Brown, Dej Loaf, and Trick Trick)
  • “Caterpillar” (2018, with Eminem and King Green, from Book of Ryan)
  • “Boblo Boat” (2018, with J. Cole, from Book of Ryan)
  • “Yah Yah” (2020, with Eminem, Black Thought, Q-Tip, and Denaun, from Music to Be Murdered By)
  • “Burnin” (2025, with KXNG Crooked, Kid Vishis, and La, remix single)
  • “No Hook” (2025, featured single)
  • “Rich Figures” (2025, featured single)
  • “Bars” (2025, featured single)
  • “Phoenix” (2024, with ^^OON, featured single)
  • “Jainkotiarra” (2024, featured single)

Music Videos

• Royce has released at least 18 music videos, including tracks like “Boom,” “Hip Hop,” “Lighters,” and “Caterpillar.”