Nas, Eminem, & EPMD Form Rap Vanguard On "EPMD 2"

BYMitch Findlay14.4K Views
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2021 Mass Appeal2021 Mass Appeal
Nas and Eminem's first collaboration on wax has arrived, with EPMD and Hit-Boy rounding out "EPMD 2."

Last night Nas and Hit-Boy reunited to deliver King's Disease 2, and based on early first impressions, the project is certainly befitting of the first one's Grammy-winning legacy. With plenty of lyricism to unpack, one of the early highlights is -- perhaps unsurprisingly -- "EPMD 2," a collaboration with EPMD and Eminem

Though Slim and Esco have indeed worked together on "The Cross," this one marks the first time they have actually rapped on the same track. As two of rap's most esteemed lyricists, there was plenty of hype going into this one; some wondered whether "Eminem would murder Nas on his own shit," while others feared that Eminem's rapid-fire flow would prove a distraction. Evidently, the doubters had nothing to fear, as everyone involved in "EPMD 2" seemed to stand in unspoken agreement.

After warming up with a brief back-and-forth verse from Erick Sermon and PMD, Nas takes to Hit-Boy's unrelenting instrumental with a purpose. Fans will no doubt appreciate his allusions to Hip-Hop Is Dead, as Nas takes things full circle by lifting the curtain: it actually "faked its own death like Makaveli." He segues effortlessly into Eminem, who uses the opportunity to pay homage to hip-hop's lost ones and GOAT contenders, all while putting on a flow clinic as he's wont to do.

Check out "EPMD 2" now, and be sure to stream King's Disease 2 right here. 

QUOTABLE LYRICS

This is the effects of my old neighborhood, Missouri/misery index
Poverty at its peak, OCD and PTSD I guess
R.I.P. out to DMX, Stezo, E and Nipsey
Ecstasy and Prince Markie Dee, MF DOOM, I hit 50 via text
Told him that I love him 'cause I don't even know when I'ma see him next
Tomorrow could be a death

- Eminem


About The Author
<b>Feature Editor</b> <!--BR--> Mitch Findlay is a writer and hip-hop journalist based in Montreal. Resident old head by default. Enjoys writing Original Content about music, albums, lyrics, and rap history. His favorite memories include interviewing J.I.D and EarthGang at the "Revenge Of The Dreamers 3" studio sessions in Atlanta and receiving a phone call from Dr. Dre. In his spare time he makes horror movies.
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