"Rap God"
Single by Eminem
from the album The Marshall Mathers LP 2
ReleasedOctober 15, 2013 (2013-10-15)
Recorded2012–2013
StudioMarkaz Records, Ferndale, Michigan
GenreHip hop
Length6:04
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Eminem singles chronology
"Survival"
(2013)		 "Rap God"
(2013)		 "The Monster"
(2013)
Music video
"Rap God" on YouTube

"Rap God" is a song by American rapper Eminem. The song premiered via YouTube on October 14, 2013, and was released in the United States on October 15, 2013, as the third single from Eminem's eighth studio album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013). It contains references to previous conflicts in Eminem's career, as well as to other rappers' conduct.

With 1,560 words, the song entered the Guinness World Records as the hit single that contains the most words.[1] The song was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance but lost to "i" by Kendrick Lamar.[2]

The song also reintroduced Slim Shady, Em's well known alter ego.

Composition

The hip hop song references a line from the first Marshall Mathers LP, on the song "I'm Back", where he talks about the Columbine High School massacre, rapping "Seven kids from Columbine; Put 'em all in a line, add an AK-47, a revolver, and a nine." The verse was censored when originally released, and is included in "Rap God" to test public reaction.[3] Eminem references the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal in order to demonstrate his longevity as a dominant force in the rap industry, thus establishing himself as an "immortal god".[4]

The song's tempo is 148 BPM.

Additional references include[5] a conflict between Fabolous and Ray J, Heavy D & the Boyz,[6] planking,[7] The Walking Dead,[8] J. J. Fad's 1988 song "Supersonic", Tupac Shakur, Run-DMC, Pharaohe Monch, Rakim, N.W.A, Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, Ice Cube, MC Ren, Busta Rhymes, Lakim Shabazz[9] and the 2008 Hotstylz song "Lookin Boy".[10][11][12]

In the part that begins at 4:26,[13] Eminem raps 99 words containing 157 syllables in 16.45 seconds—an average of 6.1 words per second, or 9.5 syllables per second—which he describes as "supersonic speed".[14]

To go by the peak burst of the song, it clocks in at 11.43 syllables per second, but not in the supersonic speed part, but in the small segment "break a motherfucking table over the back", in the first verse of the song.

The song's production was handled by American hip hop producer Bigram Zayas, professionally known as Develop or DVLP; he has produced songs for rappers such as the Diplomats, Rick Ross and most notably Lil Wayne.[15] The song was co-produced with Matthew "Filthy" Delgiorno.[15] The song's recording session took place at Effigy Studios in Michigan, with brothers Mike and Joe Strange working with Eminem on mixing and engineering the song. Joe Strange also contributed additional keyboarding and programming.[16] On October 14, 2013, DVLP tweeted that the beat was two years old, made in November 2011, and that Eminem recorded the song in 2012.[17] The song entered the 2015 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records in which Eminem is commended for the most words in a hit single, "Rap God", totalling 1,560 words in 6 minutes, 3 seconds.[18]

In the second verse of the song, Eminem raps about his success allowing him to speak at the induction of Run DMC into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and says "...the only hall of fame I'll be inducted in is the alcohol of fame, on the wall of shame." In 2022, he was named as a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2022 induction class.[19] He would perform the song at his performance at the induction ceremony, including the full "summa lumma dooma lumma" fast rapping portion of the third verse of the song.[20]

Music video

On November 21, 2013, Eminem tweeted the trailer for the music video, directed by Rich Lee, and announced it would be released on November 27, 2013.[21] On November 27, 2013, as scheduled, the music video was released on Vevo at 12:00pm ET.[22] Eminem parodied Max Headroom in the music video. There are also references to The Matrix, The Walking Dead, Hellraiser and the video games Pong, Portal and Super Mario Bros. in the video. The video received three nominations at MTV Video Music Awards 2014 in the categories "Best Art Direction", "Best Editing", "Best Visual Effects".[23] On February 15, 2020, the video reached 1 billion views, making it his third video to reach this milestone.[24] The official video also has received over 16 million likes, making it the 25th most liked video on the site.

Critical reception

Consequence of Sound stated that the song is "anything but godly", the lyricism "falls victim to dated references [...] and the tired technique of using other rappers' monikers to complete rhymes." They also noted that the beat is "pedestrian at best", and that altogether the song "[lacks] the commercial appeal" of "Berzerk".[25] Lijas of Time gave the song a positive review, stating that "the world can expect an immortal recording" based on "Rap God" and the album's lead single, "Berzerk".[26] Jim Farber of the Daily News compared the song to The Marshall Mathers LP, stating that the song "revives the super-sick humor of that era, which comes as a relief after all the internalizations and ruminating of Em’s more recent work".[27] Kory Grow of Rolling Stone also gave the song a positive review, praising that instead of "giving his chorus to an R&B crooner like Rihanna or the New Royales' Liz Rodrigues", "he instead delivers a straight rap refrain about feeling like a rap deity. His verses recall hip-hop history ... as much as his own history".[6] Nick Hill of Contact Music praised the song's rhyming and lyrical content. He exclaimed that the verse beginning at 4:20 best displays Eminem's rapping abilities.

Complex ranked the song number 14 on their list of the 50 best songs of 2013. They commented saying, "'Rap God' is another entry in the "Oh My God, This Guy Raps Better Than Anyone On The Planet" category. Eminem has been adding chapters in that book for over a decade now, so it's easy to sit back with your arms crossed and look unimpressed."[28] Rolling Stone positioned the song at number 15 on their list of the 100 best songs of 2013. They elaborated saying, "Eminem rolls out a six-minute argument for his immortal hip-hop genius, and it's pretty convincing. [...] For pure word-scrambling, syllable-stringing pyrotechnics, no one can touch him."[29] Complex also named Eminem's third verse the third-best rap verse of 2013. They said, "Within the seemingly never-ending verbal waterfall, Em touches on just about anything he could, should or would: his underground origins, the criticisms of his lyrics, the positive power his words have had for so many, and pop culture references. It's all done with impeccable technical tact, including a brief section of triple time mayhem. In other words, this verse captures exactly why the man's become a Rap God."[30]

Commercial performance

The song debuted at number five on the UK Singles Chart and at number one on the UK R&B Chart, despite its late release.[31][32][33] It replaced "Berzerk", his first single from the album at that position.[34] In the United States, it debuted at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100[35] and number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[36] With the R&B component removed it debuted at number one on the Rap Songs chart.[37] It also debuted at number one on the Digital Songs chart,[38] with over 270,000 downloads sold.[39] "Rap God" was Eminem's seventh top 10 start on the Hot 100, pushing him past Lil Wayne (six) for the most among men in the chart's 55-year history.[39] Since its release, the song has been certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA.[40] and has sold 1,896,000 copies in United States as of September 2017.[41]

Controversies

The lyrics of "Rap God" were criticized by the LGBTQ+ community and its supporters as homophobic, due to lyrics in the song being "you fags think it's all a game" and "Little gay-looking boy / So gay I can barely say it with a straight face-looking boy."[42][43][44] In a Rolling Stone interview, Eminem defended his usage of "faggot" and "gay-looking" by saying he "never really equated those words to actually mean 'homosexual'".[45]

In January 2015, TMZ reported that Chicago-based hip hop trio Hotstylz were suing Eminem and Shady Records for the amount of $8 million, for using a 25-second sample mid-track from their song "Lookin' Boy", without their permission.[46][47] In February 2016, the lawsuit between Raymond Jones of Hot Stylz and Eminem was dismissed by the judge following an agreement made by the parties.[48]

In September 2015, a 15-year-old boy in Fresno, California was arrested for making terrorist threats by sharing on Instagram the Columbine-related lyrics to Eminem's "I'm Back". The police thought that he had taken the lyrics to "Rap God" and added his own material on the end, as the latter interpolates some lyrics of the former, before later realizing that the threats were much closer to "I'm Back".[49]

Awards and nominations

Year Ceremony Award Result
2014
Detroit Music Awards[50] Outstanding National Single Nominated
Outstanding Video / Major Budget (over $10,000) Nominated
World Music Awards World's Best Song Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards[23] Best Art Direction Nominated
Best Editing Won
Best Visual Effects Nominated
2015 Grammy Awards[2] Best Rap Performance Nominated
Guinness World Records[51] Most words in a hit single Won

Track listing

Digital Download
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Rap God"
 
Notes
  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer.

Personnel

Taken from The Marshal Mathers LP 2 deluxe edition liner notes[52]

  • Eminem – rapping, mixing, writing
  • DVLP – all instruments, production
  • Joe Strange – additional keyboards, production, recording
  • Mike Strange – mixing, recording
  • Tony Campana – recording
  • B. Zayas Jr. – writing
  • D. Birks – writing
  • D. Davis – writing
  • F. Shaheed – writing
  • J. Burns – writing
  • J. Lee – writing
  • K. Nazel – writing
  • M. Deligiorno – writing
  • L. Walters – writing
  • S. Hacker – writing

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[74] Platinum 70,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[75] Platinum 80,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[76] Platinum 90,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[77] Gold 150,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[78] Platinum 50,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[79] Gold 20,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[80] 2× Platinum 1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[40] 7× Platinum 7,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country Dates Format Label
United States October 15, 2013[81] Digital download Shady, Aftermath, Interscope

Notes

^ The lyrics "Slim Shady, you're on" prove his appearance.

References

  1. ↑ "Most words in a hit single". Guinness World Records. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "57th Grammy Nominees". Los Angeles Times. February 9, 2015. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  3. ↑ Graham, Adam (October 14, 2013). "Emimem strikes again with 'Rap God' single". The Detroit News. MediaNews Group. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  4. ↑ Markman, Rob (October 15, 2013). "Eminem's 'Rap God' Decoded: What He's Really Saying On Venomous Track". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Eminem's 'Rap God' Debuts As Latest Cut Off Of 'The Marshall Mathers LP 2'". The Huffington Post. AOL. October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  6. 1 2 Grow, Kory (October 14, 2013). "Eminem Declares Himself a 'Rap God'". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media LLC. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  7. ↑ Kurp, Josh (October 15, 2013). "Oh Good, Eminem References Monica Lewinsky In His New Song 'Rap God'". Uproxx. Uproxx Media. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  8. ↑ Chai, Barbara (October 14, 2013). "Eminem Drops 'Rap God' Single". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Rap God". Rap Genius. October 16, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  10. ↑ Lobenfeld, Claire (October 14, 2013). "Eminem – "Rap God"". Stereogum. Spin Media. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  11. ↑ Staff (October 14, 2013). "Listen to Eminem's new song "Rap God", which is anything but godly". Consequence of Sound. Consequence of Sound. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  12. ↑ Markman, Rob (October 14, 2013). "Eminem's New Track Proves He's 'A God,' Too". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  13. ↑ Hill, Nick (October 16, 2013). "Eminem Drops The Ferocious 'Rap God' Showing Why He Is The Best!". Contact Music. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  14. ↑ Acuna, Kirsten (October 15, 2013). "Here's What Eminem is Saying During His 'Supersonic Speed' Verse In New Song 'Rap God'". Business Insider. Business Insider Inc. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  15. 1 2 Markman, Rob (October 23, 2013). "Eminem's Thanks 'Rap God' Producer For One Of The 'Illest Beats' He's Heard". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Eminem "The Marshall Mathers LP 2" Album Credits Released". HipHopDX. November 1, 2013. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
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  22. ↑ Grow, Kory (November 27, 2013). "Eminem Embraces Hip-Hop History in 'Rap God'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  23. 1 2 "2014 MTV Video Music Awards Nominations: Get The Full List". MTV. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
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  26. ↑ Lijas, Per (October 15, 2013). "Eminem's New 'Rap God' is Divine". Time. Time Inc. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  27. ↑ Farber, Jim (October 15, 2013). "Eminem's 'Rap God' is throwback to rapper's playful prime: music review". Daily News. Mortimer Zuckerman. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
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  32. ↑ "2013-10-26 Top 40 R&B Singles Archive". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Lawson and OneRepublic take on Miley Cyrus for Number 1". Officialcharts.com. October 16, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  34. ↑ "2013-10-19 Top 40 R&B Singles Archive". Official Charts Company. October 19, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
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  39. 1 2 Trust, Gary (October 23, 2013). "Lorde's 'Royals' Is Hot 100's Ruler For Fourth Week". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  40. 1 2 "American single certifications – Eminem – Rap God". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
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  42. ↑ "Gay rights charity attacks 'outdated and offensive' lyrics in Eminem's". The Independent. October 16, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  43. ↑ Nave, Kathryn (November 3, 2013). "Eminem's Homophobic 'Rap God' is a 21st Century Embarrassment". Mic. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  44. ↑ "Eminem's homophobic lyrics are the worst kind of throwback". Salon. November 9, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  45. ↑ Hiatt, Brian (November 4, 2013). "Eminem Responds to 'Rap God' Homophobia Accusations". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
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  47. ↑ "Chicago Rappers Hotstylz To Sue Eminem For $8 Million Over Sample In 'Rap God'". January 6, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  48. ↑ "(EXCLUSIVE) Eminem Settles Legal Battle with Rapper Accusing Him of Stealing Music". March 14, 2016.
  49. ↑ Mays, Mackenzie (September 1, 2015). "Boy, 15, arrested in Instagram post that closed San Joaquin Memorial High". Fresno Bee.
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  51. ↑ "Jennifer Lawrence, Game of Thrones, Frozen among new entertainment record holders in Guinness World Records 2015 book". Guinnessworldrecords.com. September 3, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  52. ↑ Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP 2, November 5, 2013, retrieved November 20, 2023
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  54. ↑ "Eminem – Rap God" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
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  56. ↑ "Eminem – Rap God" (in Dutch). Ultratop Urban. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
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  73. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  74. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2015 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
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  76. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Eminem – Rap God". IFPI Danmark. Scroll through the page-list below until year 2020 to obtain certification.
  77. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Eminem; 'Rap God')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  78. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Eminem – Rap God" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved October 16, 2017. Select "2017" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Rap God" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
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