In a heartfelt gesture, Eminem joins forces with the late Juice WRLD on a poignant track titled “Lace It,” dedicated to commemorating fallen legends in the Hip Hop community who succumbed to the devastating impact of substance abuse—an issue Eminem himself grappled with in the past.
On December 16, Slim Shady, drawing on his experiences as a former addict who successfully overcame the challenges, shared profound insights on the posthumous collaboration. Crafted by the talented duo of Benny Blanco and Cashmere Cat, “Lace It” features a poignant verse and hook from the departed Chicago rapper, followed by Eminem delivering a cautionary message to emerging artists, urging them to be mindful of the risks associated with excess.
The opening lines set a somber tone, highlighting the escalating perils of substance use: “You pop some ecstasy first, It gets progressively worse, Try your best to reverse, Unsuccessfully flirtin’ with certain death, And revertin’ to your Promethazine urge, The fuckin’ Devil, he lurks, Lose your best friends, he smirks, Wake up and everything hurts.”
Eminem pays tribute to departed peers in the subsequent verses, underscoring their unfulfilled potential and emphasizing the hazardous consequences of drug abuse. The mentions include Juice, Shock G, Lil Peep, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Gangsta Boo, and Pimp C, as well as iconic figures like Prince and Michael Jackson.
This powerful collaboration not only serves as a musical tribute but also as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by artists in the industry. Eminem’s sincere words and the evocative production by Benny Blanco and Cashmere Cat contribute to a track that resonates with both the legacy of the departed artists and the contemporary cautionary tales for aspiring talents.
