Nas won his first Grammy prize in the Best Rap Album category at the 2021 Grammy Awards, more than 25 years after releasing his famous debut album, Illmatic. His twelfth album, King’s Disease, received the award, ending a string of 13 straight Grammy nominations without a win. Nas is trying to build on the enthusiasm from his previous album, King Disease II, which was released less than a year ago and features executive production from Hit-Boy once again.
“EPMD 2,” which includes Nas and Eminem rapping together for the first time in almost 20 years as hip-hop notables, is an immediate eye-catcher from King’s Disease. EPMD, a rap duo, also contributes to the music, letting their bars fly for the first verse. Nas takes the mic for the second time, leaving Eminem to close things out with a long series of verses in which he positions himself alongside a number of successful rappers such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, Drake, and others
While this is the first time Nas and Eminem have rapped on the same track, Eminem produced and co-wrote Nas’ song “The Cross” in 2002. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, YG, Lauryn Hill, Charlie Wilson, Blxst, and Hit-Boy all make appearances on the rest of King Disease II, which features 15 tracks and additional guest appearances.
