Royce Da 5’9″ Discusses Health Battle

Royce Da 5’9″ has always been known for his lyrical prowess, but behind the scenes, he’s been fighting a tough battle. In a candid interview with Rolling Stone, the Detroit rapper opened up about a rare health condition that has significantly impacted his ability to speak and record music.

Battling Lingual Dystonia

Royce revealed he’s been dealing with lingual dystonia, a neurological condition that causes involuntary spasms in the tongue. He described it as an “interruption in the nerve firing off in my tongue,” noting that his cranial nerves and vagus nerve were inflamed. This condition has made the creative process incredibly challenging for the artist.

Adding to the complexity, Royce also shared that he has the COMT gene, which causes him to process dopamine slower than normal. A neurochemistry test revealed that the left hemisphere of his brain produces less dopamine than the right, leading to an imbalance. This can be associated with conditions like Parkinson’s and ADHD.

A Long Road to Recovery

The rapper experienced involuntary movements in his face and tongue, leading doctors to try various medications. It’s been a long journey with multiple misdiagnoses, but Royce shared some hopeful news: he believes he’s “almost through it.”

The good news is that he’s already started recording again. Reflecting on Big L’s posthumous album ‘Harlem’s Finest: Return of the King,’ which he executive produced, Royce expressed a wish that he had been recording during that time. This indicates a strong desire to get back to creating music despite the health hurdles.

Looking Ahead

Royce Da 5’9″‘s resilience in the face of such a challenging condition is truly inspiring. His willingness to share his personal health struggles sheds light on the often-unseen battles faced by artists in the public eye.