Token has never been shy about naming his heroes. Yet his new message feels different. The young rapper from Salem, Massachusetts marked a date and hinted at a moment “8-year-old me dreamt of”. And he mentioned two names: Eminem and Royce da 5’9.
It reads like a time capsule, like something big.
Rap Prodigy
Token first entered the public eye as a teen, battling anxiety and family struggles with relentless writing. The Sway on the Morning freestyle introduced him to a massive audience. Viral freestyles followed. So did two albums, Pink Is Better (2022) and I’m Not Supposed To Be Here (2025), both released after his distribution deal with Atlantic Records.
He grew up studying 2Pac, Eminem, Slaughterhouse, and other lyrical heavyweights. And now he trades verses with Joell Ortiz, Big Daddy Kane, and Tech N9ne – artists who once hung on the posters above his desk.
A Day to Remember
Token’s message began like a simple thank-you. Then it shifted.
“I wanna give a special thank you to Eminem and Royce… That album came out when I was 12 and it changed everything for me”.
He spoke about Hell: The Sequel, the Bad Meets Evil record he was “OBSESSED” with as a kid. He explained how it pushed him to go harder on his Tech N9ne collaborations. But then came the line that lit up his comment section:
“I told Royce today and not only did he show love back… but he blew my mind and made my 8-year-old self’s DREAM COME TRUE…
Today… 12/8/2025… history was made”.
He didn’t show screenshots or explain what happened. But he didn’t have to.
I wanna give a special thank you to Eminem and Royce. Without hearing that ‘Bad Meets Evil’ album… I wouldn’t have been pushed to make these Tech N9ne collabs as crazy as I was determined to. That album came out when I was 12 and it changed everything for me. I was OBSESSED. The… pic.twitter.com/DXSdqrWpx0
— Toke (@tokenhiphop) December 9, 2025
What Happened Behind the Scenes?
Fans immediately began speculating. Did Eminem reach out? Was it a co-sign? Or maybe a private message? What if it was an invitation?
We don’t know, and Token isn’t telling. Yet the structure of his post suggests something deliberate:
First, he thanks both Royce and Eminem. Then he names the Bad Meets Evil album that shaped him. After that, he says he spoke to Royce. And finally, he revealed that he received a message that “made history”.
Given that Royce is sometimes the bridge between Eminem and younger artists, a message from Marshall looks entirely plausible. Eminem’s reputation for keeping tabs on new talent only fuels that suspicion.
Still, until Token confirms more, it’s wise to temper expectations.
Whatever happened on December 8 sits at the intersection of influence and opportunity. Token is still young, still hungry, and still building. If this moment leads to something, or even if it simply gave him a long-awaited nod from the artists who shaped him, it marks a pivot in his story.
And he wanted us to know that.
