Ezekiel "Ez Mil" Miller is a Filipino-American rapper. He was born and grew up in the Philippines before moving to the United States after he finished his university studies.
In February 2023, Ez Mil released the video for his DU4LI7Y single "Up Down" on Virgin Music. About a month later, Eminem caught wind of the song after his fans noted the similarities in their flows. Ez Mil drove to Los Angeles, where he met Dr. Dre and Em for the first time. From there, Ez and Slim Shady stayed in touch and laid down "Realest."
Ez locked in a deal with Em's Shady Records and Dr. Dre's Aftermath and Interscope Records in late July 2023. They released "Realest" as the lead single from DU4LI7Y: REDUX, the deluxe edition of his 2022 album, a week later.
In the context of hip-hop culture, a "realest" is someone who is authentic and true to themselves. They are not afraid to be themselves, even if it means being different. Some examples of rappers considered to be "realest" include Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G., and Kendrick Lamar. These rappers all came from difficult backgrounds and have used their music to speak to the struggles of everyday people. They're also considered honest and genuine artists who have never put on airs. This is what Ez Mil claims to be in this song.
I'm the realest in the business and everybody gon' be envious of my beginnings
Got a circus for the sinners with bodies, so stop tryna be another addition
EZ Mil is only the third artist - after 50 Cent and Stat Quo - to be collaboratively signed by Shady Records Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. Here, on the chorus, he calls his shots, predicting his future shine in the rap game. All his peers are going to be green-eyed over that epic record deal he scored right from the get-go.
During his two verses, Ez flexes his grit, lyrical finesse, and refusal to conform. But he breaks it down that winning ain't all sunshine - it's also soaking in that extra shade.
Eminem steps in for the third verse, where he starts off by confronting the racial narrative that prevents him being ranked number one.
But when they say that I'm only top five 'cause I'm white why would I be stunned
My skin color's still working against me 'cause second I should be to none
Being white ain't why they put me at five, it's why they can't put me at one
While many yammer on about his commercial success being because of his hue, Em states that his race is the only reason they can't crown him as the undisputed GOAT.
Later in his verse, Em sets his sights on the younger generation, the ones who aren't vibing with his flow and talk smack about his style. He suggests they're still too wet behind the ears to grasp true hip-hop and haven't seen enough of life to know what's tight.
You ain't been on this planet long enough to tell me how rap's supposed to sound
Ya'll need to stick to what you do best shootin' schools up yeah go load up rounds
Em snarkily tells them to stick to things they're well versed in, such as school shootings.
Eminem closes his verse with some choice words for Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five lead vocalist Melle Mel. In an interview with The Art Of Dialogue, Melle Mel suggested Em's hip-hop respect might just ride on his skin tone. Em brushes that comment off to the veteran MC's drug use.
Ez Mil and Eminem cooked up the breezy, light beat themselves. It's like an open canvas, giving them plenty of space to unleash their rapid-fire rhyme game.
Detroit musician Luis Resto co-wrote "Realest" alongside Ex Mil and Eminem, and played keyboards. Resto has worked with Slim Shady since his third major-label album, The Eminem Show.
