In their first-ever collaboration, Eminem and Kid Cudi rap about rehab, the coronavirus and police brutality, reports Rolling Stone.
The "Adventures of Moon Man & Slim Shady" single, which dropped at midnight on Friday, starts off with a verse by Cudi in which he discusses his 2016 stay in rehab, which was prompted by anxiety, depression and suicidal urges, according to Billboard.
Me and Moon Man @KidCudi got something coming tonight! pic.twitter.com/qESgJbdYLK
— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) July 9, 2020
“Yeah, it's been a minute, but I'm back in it. Y'all ain't dealing with the same boy," Cudi rhymes. "Got a little trippy, then I transitioned. New attitude mixed with that pure raw."
In a July 2018 interview with Billboard, the “Day ‘n’ Night” rapper, born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, said he was in a much better mindset to create music and had a positive outlook.
“Years ago, rehab. All good, helped me figure out another plan. It got bad, so bad. Nah, I ain't f**king love that, man,” Cudi raps on the track.
The song, which was announced by Cudi’s daughter Vada on her dad’s Twitter, shifts toward social commentary when Eminem comes in. The Missouri native calls out NFL player Drew Brees on the track he produced with Dot da Genius and J Gramm, according to Genius.
And now a word from Princess Vada the chosen… pic.twitter.com/xmgIMkUntz
— The Chosen One (@KidCudi) July 8, 2020
“Got a lil' green, but I don't do weed, purp nor lean. That's Tunechi. That's New Orleans, f**k Drew Brees,” Eminem raps.
Last month, the New Orleans Saints quarterback caught some criticism when he responded to a question about Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the national anthem. Brees said he will "never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America," according to ESPN.
Although the football player apologized, Eminem didn’t seem to care.
The “Lose Yourself” lyricist also referenced the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, noting that many Americans refuse to wear face masks.
“Bunch of half-wits up in office. Half of us walking around like a zombie apocalypse. Other half are just pissed off and don't wanna wear a mask and they’re just scoffing. And that’s how you end up catching the shit off ’em. I just used the same basket as you shopping. Now I’m in a f**king casket from you coughing,” he raps.
The 47-year-old closes out his verse by paying his respect to victims of police brutality and gun violence.
“Prayers to George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery. How the f**k is it that so many cops are dirty? Stop, man, please, officer, I'm sorry. But I can't breathe when I got you on top of me. Your goddamn knee's on my carotid artery,” Eminem raps.