Royce 5’9 is back. After years of near-silence on the mic, the Detroit lyricist is returning with a new single – a collaboration with fellow rapper Lazarus, arriving January 9.
This marks Royce’s first release since revealing in late 2025 that he had been privately battling a rare neurological condition. Now, after treatment and time away, he’s ready to rhyme again.
Health struggles behind the silence
In a Rolling Stone interview, Royce shared that he had been diagnosed with lingual dystonia – a rare disorder affecting the tongue. “There’s some kind of interruption in the nerve firing off in my tongue”, he explained. The spasms disrupted his speech and ability to record music.
On top of that, he was diagnosed with inflammation in his cranial and vagus nerves. “I got a genetic condition called the COMT gene that processes dopamine slower than normal”, he said. The result was a mix of involuntary movements, trouble focusing, and misfired medication regimens.
Eventually, doctors traced the issue to an imbalance in dopamine production between the brain hemispheres. “It’s like Parkinson’s. It’s like ADHD”, Royce said of the symptoms. But now, after rounds of trial and error, he’s found a treatment that helps, and he’s almost through it.
Getting back to the mic
While Royce stepped away from recording his own music, he never stopped contributing to the culture. He served as executive producer on Big L’s posthumous album “Harlem’s Finest: Return of the King”, a project that helped ease him back into creative work.
And now, he’s ready to rap again, teaming up with Lazarus, a Detroit-born MC known for balancing a medical career with sharp lyricism and high-profile collaborations. Lazarus has worked with Redman, D12, Hopsin, Ghostface Killah, and Royce 5’9. Now, he is back on the track with Nickel.
Their upcoming song marks a symbolic return for Royce and a power move for Lazarus, whose reputation for bridging intellect and intensity continues to grow.
A calculated rollout from Lazarus
Lazarus has kicked off the countdown to release day with slow, deliberate teases. On January 3, he called the upcoming single “the biggest ever collaboration of the East meeting the West”. Later, the following day, he added, “In the West corner representing DETROIT, we have myself and the one and only @Royceda59”.
In the West corner representing DETROIT, we have myself and the one and only @Royceda59. 🧪💉 #CountdownContinues pic.twitter.com/qRg345nACX
— LAZARUS (@LazDetroit) January 4, 2026
Indian rap superstar Ikka represents the East in this global showdown.
The mystery now turns to the technicalities. What’s the title of the track, and who’s behind the boards? As a doctor by trade, Lazarus knows the power of precision. Clearly, he’s giving us these details in small, timed doses. Expect the complete diagnosis on January 9.
A voice that never fades
Famously, Royce 5’9 has never chased trends. From his breakthrough through “Rock City” to Grammy-nominated “The Allegory”, Royce’s discography is a masterclass in wordplay, vulnerability, and range. Additionally, his work with Slaughterhouse, DJ Premier (as PRhyme), and Eminem (as one half of Bad Meets Evil) has earned him widespread respect.
Finally, fans can celebrate the return of one of rap’s most consistent pens – sharpened by hardship, and back with something to say.
