Released: 2019 • Features: Eminem
“Homicide” by Logic featuring Eminem is a ferocious diss track aimed at the perceived weaknesses in the hip-hop industry. It calls out rappers for their lack of authenticity and creativity, effectively setting fire to the status quo and cementing the duo’s status as lyrically focused MCs. The song capitalizes on the artists’ technical prowess and fervor for hip-hop tradition, eschewing mainstream appeal for a raw expression of their craft.
The main hook of this track, performed by Logic, sets the tone with an aggressive metaphor: “Bustin’ like an addict with a semi-automatic”. He’s not just talking about firing bullets, he’s talking about firing off bars – the lines and rhymes that are the bullets of hip-hop. His readiness for “anybody to buck back” shows he’s prepared for any conflict or backlash that comes his way, symbolically putting the rap game on notice. His references to killing don’t touch on real life violence but signify how he lyrically ‘kills’ his opponents, meaning he bests them in the rap game.
The line “I’m feeling like I’m chika-chika-chika, Slim Shady” pays homage to Eminem’s alter ego, Slim Shady, famous for his rabid flow and incisive lyrics. Logic not only acknowledges Eminem’s influence on his art but also positions himself as a lyrical force to be reckoned with. This assertion is amplified when he comments on the homogeneity in the industry and his distaste for it: “Nowadays, everybody sound the same, shit’s lame.”
Eminem’s verse stands as a testament to his experienced wordplay, with a dizzying array of metaphors, pop culture references, and internal rhymes. Lines like “Young Hova, I know hitters like Yankees / Gun toters that pull triggers like crazy” showcase his sharp lyrical ability. Eminem interpolates Jay-Z’s nickname, “Young Hova,” to indicate his prominence in the rap game, comparing himself to the successful baseball team, the Yankees, indicating his team too is full of ‘hitters,’ a slang term for successful people in their field.
There’s an unmistakable tonal shift towards the end of Eminem’s verse, culminating in a mind-boggling flurry of layered rhymes and puns. The “napkin” spiel, sprinkled with nonsense words, mocks those who use excessive wordplay with no substance, underlining that lyrics must mean something and not just sound ‘cool’.
Overall, “Homicide” serves as a power-packed onslaught against the shortcomings of the contemporary hip-hop game. Through scathing critiques and self-assured assertions of their technical expertise, Logic and Eminem underscore their standing in the rap industry and their refusal to fall in line with its problematic trends.
