A historic rap collaboration between Eminem and Nas “EPMD2” is so lyrically rich that it will take weeks to pick up all wordplay and a web of references fully. One of which stands out.
Especially because it is a collaborative wordplay, where isolated lines might not necessarily mean much, but put together, they clearly invoke an intended memory from a listener. That is the trick that Nas and Eminem pulled together in the transition from Nas’s verse to Em’s.
When Nas finishes the last line on his verse with “spaghetti”, Marshall picks up with “Yeah, ready?” before plunging into his bars. At this moment, it is impossible not to be reminded of these bars from “Lose Yourself”:
His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy
There’s vomit on his sweater already, mom’s spaghetti
He’s nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready
It is a small detail, but it is nice to see this appreciative nod on one of the most important albums of this year.
Listen to Nas — “EPMD2” feat. Eminem & EPMD below:
