In 2010, Eminem released his 7th studio album titled ‘Recovery’. This was at a time when he was coming out of depression following the passing of his friend Proof while dealing with his own personal addictions. ‘Recovery’ would sell over 741k copies in its first week and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard 200. The album would have features from Rhinna and Pink, but it was the ‘No Love’ track featuring Lil Wayne that stood out.
For most, especially in the black community, people still refuse to give Eminem his flowers. Maybe it’s his subject matter or the color of his skin, but real Hip Hop heads will tell you that not knocking him in the car, does not mean that he doesn’t belong in this culture. For those still doubting his pen game, Eminem came strong on a track that featured one of the best verses Lil Wayne has ever spit.
But most know, if you get on a track with Em, you better bring the heat. Well, Wayne did, but it didn’t matter. You can go through his catalog and will it be damn near impossible to find a verse that can top what he did with ‘No Love’.
I’m alive again
More alive than I have been in my whole entire life
I can see these people’s ears perk up as I begin to spaz with the pen
I’m a little bit sicker than most, shit’s finna get thick again
They say the competition is stiff, but I get a hard dick from this shit
The way he opened up let you know that he was going for the kill. After the total failure of ‘Relaspe’, many were doubting his skills and if he could regain his form which forced him to say– he could see people’s ears perk up as he begins to spaz with the pen.
Caution to the wind, complete freedom
Look at these rappers, how I treat ’em
So why the fuck would I join ’em when I beat ’em (yeah)
They call me a freak ’cause I like to spit on these pussies ‘fore I eat ’em
Man get these whack cocksuckers off stage, where the fuck is Kanye when you need him?
Snatch the mic from him, bitch I’ma let you finish in a minute
Yeah, that rap was tight, but I’m ’bout to spit the greatest verse of all time
So you might wanna go back to the lab tonight and, um (yeah)
Scribble out them rhymes you were gonna spit
And start over from scratch and write new ones
But I’m afraid that it ain’t gonna make no difference
It’s getting messy now. All the hate he was taking from the media and newbie rappers questioning his skills made Em go on the attack. He delivered bars here that reminded you that his background was battle rapping before he got his deal with Dre. He said they call him a freak cause he likes to spit in these p****** before he eats them. Yoo, that was sick. But then it was the Kayne and Taylor Swift reference that made you say rewind that back. He told the competition to go home and scribble out the rhymes they were about to write.
Cold-hearted, from the day I Bogarted the game
My soul started to rot, fellow (yeah)
When I’m not even in my harshest
You can still get roasted, ’cause Marsh is not mellow
‘Til I’m topplin’ from the top, I’m not gonna stop
I’m standin’ on my Monopoly board (uh)
That means I’m on top of my game
And it don’t stop ’til my hip don’t hop anymore (shit)
When you’re so good that you can’t say it
‘Cause it ain’t even cool for you to sound cocky anymore (shit)
What I love most about these bars here is that he incorporated everything that Hip Hop is about. It’s the bragging and the boldness of the delivery that makes an MC a true MC. But in order to say how nice you are, you have to back it up and that’s exactly what he did with these bars. He talked about even when he’s not at his best, no one can roast him. He’s standing on top of his Monopoly board (on top of his game now). When you’re so good that you can’t even say it cause it’s not cool to be cocky anymore. Hell with that, that’s what Hip Hop is about. Talk that talk Em.
People just get sick ’cause you spit
These fools can’t drool or dribble a drop anymore (ow)
And you can never break my stride (no)
You’ll never slow the momentum at any moment
I’m ’bout to blow, you’ll never take my pride
Killin’ the flow, slow venom
Any opponent is gettin’ no mercy, mark my words
Ain’t lettin’ up, relentless, I smell blood
I don’t give a fuck, keep givin’ them hell
Where was you when I fell and needed help up?
You get no love
To finish it off, he let the frustration out. No matter what any MC does, Em is saying you can’t break his spirit. He’s skilling his competition very slowly and he’s not letting up. But most of all, to the people who were praising him when he was on top, he’s asking where was that same love when he was dealing with his demons. That’s why this verse was written.
Once again, not everyone is an Eminem fan. But how much longer can people keep going through life as if the man ain’t nice with it? Take away the skin color and you have an MC who just spits. It’s not about the subject matter, just listen to the wordplay. Em is one of the best that has ever done it. Don’t believe me, ask his peers and some of the legendary MCs who hopped on a track with him. Hell, ask Lil Wayne.
