Bad Meets Evil

Formed in 1998 as a hip-hop partnership between Marshall Mathers and Ryan Montgomery, known respectively as Eminem and Royce da 5'9", Bad Meets Evil owed its origins to an introduction by their shared associate, the rapper Proof. Following the creation of several recordings and live appearances in their hometown of Detroit, Mathers pursued individual success. Montgomery contributed to Mathers’ breakthrough 1999 release The Slim Shady LP via the cut “Bad Meets Evil,” yet the duo’s activities ceased amid Mathers’ solo ascent. Tensions escalated when negotiations involving Montgomery and Mathers’ mentor and producer Dr. Dre collapsed, compounded by conflicts with Mathers’ affiliate crew D12, leading to a complete split. Reconciliation followed the 2006 killing of Proof, after which Montgomery’s collective Slaughterhouse joined Mathers’ Shady imprint in 2010. This paved the way for Bad Meets Evil’s return with the 2011 Shady-issued EP Hell: The Sequel.