Detroit -bred rapper Royce Da 5' 9" is busy in the studios completing his debut album Rock City. Last year he left Tommy Boy Records and independently released the single "Boom" with DJ Premier, which scored big on the underground circuit. Columbia Records like the song so much that they signed him. Royce already made a name for himself with underground hip-hop fans from releases like "Secret Wars" and his collaborations with Eminem. Royce told MTVNews that his album's title is a description of his hometown. "That's what they call Detroit." He also added that Eminem's appearance on the title track would end rumors of dissension between the two. "The relationship is the same, the reason people don't see us together no more is, one - we're on two different labels. Two - his sh-- just exploded overnight. The reason you used to see me and him together so much was because I was his hype man. I used to tour with him, but once I signed my deal, I couldn't go on tour with him. I! started recording my album." Royce's crew D-Elite appears on the album as well as Twista. Producers The Neptunes, Premier, the Alchemist, Ty Fyfe, and Carlos Broady are handling the music. The MC said there are a variety of tracks for every audience. "Boom" will be redone with a chorus as the lead track for the Carmen Jones soundtrack. He's currently doing 13 dates on a tour with Nelly and Sticky Fingaz. As for his stage name, Royce, born Ryan Montgomery said that when he was in high school his first chain was a Turkish link with a big 'R' on it. His friend said it looked like the 'R' in Rolls Royce and the 5' 9" comes from his constant height on the basketball team for four years. Rock City comes out July 17.