Detroit MC is hardly humble on his latest Marshall Mathers LP 2 track ‘Rap God.’
On Monday (October 14), Eminem dropped the third track from his upcoming Marshall Mathers LP 2. Team Shady planned a five-post rollout on the rapper’s Facebook page, but shortly after Em shared a link to the director’s cut of “Immortal Portal” (presumably a sample used in the song), rap blog site HipHop-n-more posted a full version of the song, which will be available on iTunes at midnight ET.
The DVLP-produced track starts with plodding piano strikes, while cinematic overdubs set the tone. “Look, I was gonna go easy on you, not to hurt your feelings,” a voice says as Eminem readies himself, repeating Slick Rick’s famous line from 1980s rap hit “The Show”: “Six minutes — you’re on.”
Before he gets into the high-powered verses, Em starts with his declarative hook. “I’m beginning to feel like a rap god (rap god)/ All the people from the front to the back, nod (back nod),” he recites in a slow, measured pace.
As his first verse begins to pick up steam, Em quickens the pace of his bars, swiftly running through braggadocios rhymes and pop-culture references. There’s a nod to Monica Lewinsky, Ray J and Marvel Comics and superhero Thor. “Me, I’m a product of Rakim, Lakim/Shabazz, Tupac N/ W.A., Cube, hey Doc, Ren/ Yella, Eazy, thank you, they got Slim/ Inspired enough to one day grow up, blow up, and be in a position/ To meet Run-DMC induct them into the motherf—in’ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” he intricately raps about his original rap influences and success.
He doesn’t name names, but Em does throw shots at rappers who criticize his unique brand of hits. “I don’t know how to make songs like that, I don’t know what words to use,” he spits mockingly, taking on the character of lesser-skilled MCs.
“Rap God” is strikingly different from previous MMLP2 releases “Berzerk” and “Survival,” as it seems that Marshall’s focus on this one is simply to have the most expertly laid verses, adding yet another wrinkle to his November 5 album.
