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

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Jimmy Webb

Jimmy WebbSongwriter Interviews

Webb talks about his classic songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park."

Michael Bolton

Michael BoltonSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for this talk with Bolton from the '80s when he was a focused on writing songs for other artists.