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Home > Bad Meets Evil, 'Hell: The Sequel': Track-By-Track Review

Bad Meets Evil, 'Hell: The Sequel': Track-By-Track Review

Submitted by admin on Tue, 2011-06-14 15:49

What exactly does "Hell: The Sequel," the debut EP from the Eminem [1]-Royce da 5'9" [2] collaboration Bad Meets Evil, represent for Eminem? A victory lap following the amazing success of last year's "Recovery"? A return to the gonzo wordplay of "The Slim Shady LP"? A listenable platform for the long-underrated Royce (and by extension, the newly revived Shady Records)? Or simply a collection of hot, murky beats that Em felt like spitting over?

All of the above, it seems. After Eminem offered a more introspective version of himself on 2010's biggest-selling album, "Hell: The Sequel" gives the rapper an ideal outlet for his more dangerous lyrical tendencies without worrying about radio play. Meanwhile, Royce da 5'9" -- who joined Eminem onstage during his headlining set at Bonnaroo to perform "Hell: The Sequel" highlights "Fast Lane" and "Lighters" -- holds his own next to the superstar MC, his deeper voice nicely contrasting with Em's helium flow as the two trade bars in double-time.

Bad Meets Evil Project with Eminem Is 'God's Work,' Says Royce da 5'9'' [3]

In the end, "Hell: The Sequel" functions as lengthy, consistently repayable sequel to the "Slim Shady LP" track "Bad Meets Evil," where the two rappers first linked up 12 years ago. "It's been a long time/But I bet neither one of us have felt sicker than we do right now," Eminem raps on opener "Welcome 2 Hell," a sentiment that speaks to the bright future in front of both MCs.

Eminem Disses Lady Gaga on Bad Meets Evil Track, 'A Kiss': Listen [4]

Which songs on "Hell: The Sequel" stand up next to Eminem's best solo work? Here's our Twitter-length track-by-track review of each song.

You be the judge: What do you think of Bad Meets Evil's "Hell: The Sequel" album? Tweet us your own review at @billboarddotcom (using hashtag #bbeminem). The best tweets will be posted on Billboard.com in the coming days.

1. Welcome 2 Hell - "Told you we'd be back," Royce sneers over ominous choral chant. When beat kicks in & Em starts spitting, hold on.

2. Fast Lane - Lead single is G-funk on steroids, with sing-song refrain breaking up crushing mic-trading bout between Royce & Em. Blast this!

3. Above the Law
- Royce kills his verse over synth stabs: "You got a mouth like Kanye, I'll knock your whole bottom row of teeth out."

4. The Reunion - BME slow down the pace for "true story" of dysfunctional relationships. Lots of C-words, not a lot of replayability.

5. I'm on Everything - This toast to drugged-up lifestyle tries a bit too hard but scores with the fuzzed-out, sample-based beat.

6. A Kiss - The "Lady Gaga diss" song teams classic Bangladesh percussion with vintage Eminem one-liners, creating an explosive highlight.

7. Lighters - How did Bruno Mars [5] pop up on this? Track doesn't fit with EP, but Em's effortless confidence carries the celebratory anthem.

8. Take From Me - Royce laments the "vultures" before Em admits, "I live in the bubble, I struggle with the fame." Refreshing honesty.

9. Loud Noises - Shady Records supergroup Slaughterhouse sends out "Hell" with stylish posse cut, although Em still takes Best Verse trophy.

  • News [6]
Bad Meets Evil, 'Hell: The Sequel': The Fans Weigh In
Jason Lipshutz [7]

Person

  • Bruno Mars [8],
  • Em [9],
  • Lady Gaga [10],
  • Eminem [11]

Source URL (retrieved on 2013-05-24 02:27): http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/470553/bad-meets-evil-hell-the-sequel-track-by-track-review

Links:
[1] http://www.billboard.com/artist/eminem/315925
[2] http://www.billboard.com/artist/royce-da-5-9/434172
[3] http://www.billboard.com/news/bad-meets-evil-project-with-eminem-is-god-1005221532.story
[4] http://www.billboard.com/news/eminem-disses-lady-gaga-on-bad-meets-evil-1005218642.story
[5] http://www.billboard.com/artist/bruno-mars/1054629
[6] http://www.billboard.com/tag/news-6
[7] http://www.billboard.com/author/6369
[8] http://www.billboard.com/tag/bruno-mars
[9] http://www.billboard.com/tag/em-0
[10] http://www.billboard.com/tag/lady-gaga
[11] http://www.billboard.com/tag/eminem-0

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