Lazarus returns with a global punch on “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde”, a new single featuring hip hop heavyweight Royce 5’9” and Indian rap star Ikka.
Drawing on the classic tale of dual identities, the track speaks to the tension between personal and public selves, especially for artists who carry multiple worlds within them.
Built around a dark, pulsing beat, the track delivers three sharp verses that bridge continents and experiences. Lazarus sets the stage with intensity, Royce brings Detroit grit and layered references, and Ikka adds a vibrant energy that breaks language barriers with ease.
A year of sharpening craft
Throughout 2025, Lazarus kept a low but strategic profile. Rather than rushing into an album, he released a string of thoughtful singles, including a collaboration with Rakim, “Not To Be Defined”. This slower pace allowed him to refine both his sound and message, creating music that feels as intentional as it is urgent.
Balancing his work as a doctor with his growing catalogue, Lazarus has built a reputation for mixing intellect with passion, and “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde” is no exception.
Royce adds weight, Ikka brings reach
For Royce, it is the first record since he publicly spoke about the complex neurological condition that kept him away from the studio. Luckily, the Detroit legend has found the treatment and the inspiration. Now, he returns triumphantly.
His verse stands out with layered references and sharp delivery. He raps: “I go loco: Reggie Noble, Eminem, HOV and them”.
Clearly, a nod to his elite lyrical company. His presence centres the track and grounds its theme in lived experience.
Ikka, meanwhile, looks outward. “Main Nas se mila kabhi Eminem se mil paaun (“I met Nas—maybe one day I’ll meet Eminem”), he raps in Hindi, expanding the song’s cultural footprint.
Bridging East and West
This is not Lazarus’s first cross-cultural fusion. Back in 2010, he teamed up with Pakistani legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan on “Drug of Choice”. Ever since, he’s used hip hop to connect worlds, introducing Asian voices to US audiences and vice versa. Lazarus talked about it in length with us in his exclusive interview, so go check it out.
Importantly, “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde” is a new contribution to Laz’s passion project: merging different cultures and languages into impactful hip hop records. His latest record is both a cypher and a bridge built on bars, rooted in Detroit, and looking far beyond.
