With his latest release, Eminem is determined to remind everyone what he’s capable of. A solid collection of his signature style of quick, rapid-fire lyrics over a selection of impressive beats, “Music to be Murdered By” is wrapped up neatly in a themed homage to Alfred Hitchcock; this is a refreshing return to form for the lyrical speedster. What really elevates the album, however, are the wonderfully eclectic features. Current artists like Anderson Pak and Ed Sheeran bring an intriguing balance of talent and style to an already impressive offering.
The stand out performance comes in the form of “Godzilla,” an energetic title that comes into play a little over one third into the album. It features a surprising collaboration with the late Juice Wrld, a talented singer, rapper, and songwriter who sadly passed away last December unexpectedly. His contribution on “Godzilla” comes in the form of a smooth, catchy chorus that successfully breaks up the machine-gun style with which Eminem delivers his verses. It is unfortunate that Juice Wrld only had a chance to write and record the chorus, as we are left without a featured verse as well, but it could be argued that “less is more” here and the song achieves a satisfying balance by switching back and forth between Eminem’s fast verses (especially the final verse, which unfurls into a predictable yet no less enjoyable blur of tight rhymes) and Juice’s smooth, perfectly enunciated chorus. Whether you consider this a rewarding blend of old and new styles or you can’t help but think it unfinished with the glaring omission of a Juice Wrld verse, there is no denying this is a labor of love from all parties involved. Juice Wrld has listed Eminem as one of his greatest musical inspirations, so hearing them together on a track is a rewarding moment. So long as Eminem continues to attract up-and-coming talent like this and give them a platform to show off their skills on the mic, he will remain not only relevant but an icon of the rap and hip-hop community.
With his latest release, Eminem is determined to remind everyone what he’s capable of. A solid collection of his signature style of quick, rapid-fire lyrics over a selection of impressive beats, “Music to be Murdered By” is wrapped up neatly in a themed homage to Alfred Hitchcock; this is a refreshing return to form for the lyrical speedster. What really elevates the album, however, are the wonderfully eclectic features. Current artists like Anderson Pak and Ed Sheeran bring an intriguing balance of talent and style to an already impressive offering.
The stand out performance comes in the form of “Godzilla,” an energetic title that comes into play a little over one third into the album. It features a surprising collaboration with the late Juice Wrld, a talented singer, rapper, and songwriter who sadly passed away last December unexpectedly. His contribution on “Godzilla” comes in the form of a smooth, catchy chorus that successfully breaks up the machine-gun style with which Eminem delivers his verses. It is unfortunate that Juice Wrld only had a chance to write and record the chorus, as we are left without a featured verse as well, but it could be argued that “less is more” here and the song achieves a satisfying balance by switching back and forth between Eminem’s fast verses (especially the final verse, which unfurls into a predictable yet no less enjoyable blur of tight rhymes) and Juice’s smooth, perfectly enunciated chorus. Whether you consider this a rewarding blend of old and new styles or you can’t help but think it unfinished with the glaring omission of a Juice Wrld verse, there is no denying this is a labor of love from all parties involved. Juice Wrld has listed Eminem as one of his greatest musical inspirations, so hearing them together on a track is a rewarding moment. So long as Eminem continues to attract up-and-coming talent like this and give them a platform to show off their skills on the mic, he will remain not only relevant but an icon of the rap and hip-hop community.