Murdergram Deux
by LL Cool J (featuring Eminem)

Album: The FORCE (2024)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Murdergram Deux" is a collaboration between LL Cool J and Eminem. The song serves as a sequel to "Murdergram," the fast-rap workout that appeared as a deep cut on LL's classic 1990 album Mama Said Knock You Out.
  • The term "murdergram" was coined by LL Cool J for his 1990 song of the same name, blending the words "telegram" and "murder." A murdergram typically showcases rapid-fire delivery, intricate rhyme patterns, and emphasizes lyrical skill and verbal combat. In 1998, the hip-hop supergroup Murder Inc, consisting of Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule, released their own track titled "Murdergram" for the Streets is Watching soundtrack.
  • Here, we have two MCs in full flight trading razor-sharp verses like Olympic relay runners passing the baton, each line crackling with more intensity than the last. It's hip-hop in its most authentic form: raw, unfiltered, and gloriously intense.

    "It's pure hip-hop," said LL. "Pure hip-hop and Em is a fan of pure hip-hop, as am I. So, us working together on that record, it was dope."
  • Eminem delivers his verses with a breathless intensity that nods to LL's earlier work, even quoting from "Going Back to Cali" at the end of the track.
  • For Eminem, this collaboration was a full-circle moment; he grew up idolizing LL Cool J, and finally, on "Murdergram Deux," the two rap titans meet on record for the first time. Though not their first encounter - back in 2021, Eminem joined LL onstage at his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction for a rousing rendition of "Rock The Bells."
  • "Murdergram Deux" is a track from LL Cool J's 14th album, The FORCE. It marks his return to music after an 11-year break spent acting on NCIS: Los Angeles and hosting Lip Sync Battle. LL describes the album as "14 tracks of straight fire," emphasizing a return to the fundamentals: skills, bars, and beats - leaving the ego and materialism at the door. The project's vibe in the studio, he said, was all about good energy and having fun without taking himself too seriously.
  • The FORCE was executive produced by Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, who brought his own brand of hip-hop credibility to the table. Eminem co-produced "Murdergram Deux" alongside Q-Tip, crafting a beat that jitters nervously with mid-2000s energy.
  • Rather than recording the song in Detroit in Eminem's studio, the two hip-hop heavyweights laid it down in Dr. Dre's studio in LA.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

They Might Be Giants

They Might Be GiantsSongwriter Interviews

Who writes a song about a name they found in a phone book? That's just one of the everyday things these guys find to sing about. Anything in their field of vision or general scope of knowledge is fair game. If you cross paths with them, so are you.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Billy Gould of Faith No More

Billy Gould of Faith No MoreSongwriter Interviews

Faith No More's bassist, Billy Gould, chats to us about his two new experimental projects, The Talking Book and House of Hayduk, and also shares some stories from the FNM days.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Chris Isaak

Chris IsaakSongwriter Interviews

Chris tells the story of "Wicked Game," talks milkshakes and moonpies at Sun Records, and explains why women always get their way.

dUg Pinnick of King's X

dUg Pinnick of King's XSongwriter Interviews

dUg dIgs into his King's X metal classics and his many side projects, including the one with Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam.