Jay-Z and Eminem Reunite on Rakim's New Album After 25 Years
Hip-hop heavyweights Jay-Z and Eminem are set to appear on a track from rap legend Rakim's upcoming collaborative album, marking their first joint musical effort in a quarter-century since their iconic 'Renegade' collaboration. This highly anticipate...
Hip-hop history is set to be made as titans Jay-Z and Eminem are confirmed to appear on a track from rap legend Rakim's forthcoming collaborative album. This marks their first shared musical moment in 25 years, a quarter-century since their iconic clash on "Renegade" from Jay-Z's 2001 masterpiece, The Blueprint.
The untitled song will feature on a highly anticipated project uniting Rakim with fellow lyrical stalwarts Kurupt and Masta Killa. The album is slated for release on August 28.
News of this monumental reunion first surfaced on Sunday, June 7, when Matthew “M80” Markoff, JD, the A&R and executive producer of the album, offered a tantalizing glimpse of the tracklist on Instagram.
Among the handwritten entries, the sixth track prominently listed Eminem and Jay-Z's names, instantly igniting a firestorm of anticipation across the internet.
"AOTY 2026," declared Markoff, President of Holy Toledo Productions, in his caption, adding, "PUT SOME COT DAMN RESPEK ON MY NAME."
Markoff exclusively confirmed to Rolling Stone that the track is an official release and will serve as an interlude on the Rakim, Kurupt, and Masta Killa album.
He elaborated that this interlude will feature Hov and Em paying deep homage to Rakim's enduring legacy and profound influence on the genre. It will also precede Rakim's first solo track featuring his own production in over 15 years.
"Em and Jay do not have verses on the interlude," Markoff clarified, addressing immediate speculation. He assured fans that "The entire album with all its parts were recorded in the past two years," indicating fresh material.
The announcement swiftly revived conversations surrounding their legendary "Renegade" collaboration. Released at a time when Jay-Z and Eminem were widely considered two of hip-hop's most formidable lyricists, "Renegade" was more than a song—it was a lyrical proving ground.
Decades later, debates still rage among fans over who delivered the superior performance, a testament to the track's enduring significance as a watershed moment in hip-hop. Both artists, however, consistently maintained their focus was on the song's theme and production, not competition.
Beyond the headlining reunion, the Rakim, Kurupt, and Masta Killa album boasts an impressive roster of features, including Snoop Dogg, KRS-One, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Buckshot, and Daz Dillinger. The project will also carry a posthumous executive production credit from Oliver “Power” Grant of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan.
The trio of Rakim, Kurupt, and Masta Killa previously collaborated on "BE ILL," the lead single from Rakim's 2024 album, G.O.D.’s NETWORK – REB7RTH. The upcoming collaborative album is expected to be available for preorder in July.
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