Eminem and Rihanna have some "crazy" collaborations. So linking up with Rih Rih on The Marshall Mathers LP 2 was a no-brainer, but it was more than just the pop star's powerful vocals on "The Monster" that won over the Rap God.
"The perception of the record, what it's saying, I thought it would be a good idea to have her on it because I think people look at us like we're both a little nuts. That's one of the things that I was telling her in making the record: I think that people look at us a little crazy," Eminem told MTV News on Monday, shortly after wrapping a town hall-style interview at hisShade 45 SiriusXM radio station.
On the "Monster" track, Rihanna uses the hook to come to grips with her inner demons, while Em ponders the negative effects of his fame. "I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed/ Get along with the voices inside of my head/ You trying to save me, stop holding your breath," Rih sings to set-up Marshall's crazy rhymes.
"As soon as I got the beat I just heard her on it," Em said. "I wanted to make sure that I had it finished first to be able to present to her, but once I had the rhymes done, I sent it to her."
"I had to send it to her because schedules were conflicting and sh-- like that. Plus, the record it was kinda pulled together at the last minute," Em admitted. "I sent it to her, she laid the hook, sent it back. She smashed it like she does always. It's pretty incredible."
"Monster" marks the fourth time Em and Rihanna have jumped on each other's tracks, first hooking up on the smash hit "Love the Way You Lie," back in 2010. And while the duo didn't get to log a recording session together, Em's manager and Shady Records head Paul Rosenberg did confirm to MTV News that a music video is forthcoming, something Eminem hinted at on his Instagram several days ago. Fans can only hope the stars' schedules aligned for it.
As for yesterday's town hall moderated by Sway, Em chopped it up with a lucky group of fans on a range of topics, including the controversy surrounding his lyrics, specifically anti-gay language, on MMLP2. It will stream on Tuesday (November 5) at 12 p.m. ET on Shade 45.
Tuesday also marks the much-anticipated official release release of Em'sThe Marshall Mathers LP 2, his eighth studio album and a sequel to his critically acclaimed 2000 album, The Marshall Mathers LP. On his newest effort, critics have praised his lyrical prowess, with the Chicago Tribunehighlighting the 41-year-old's "ink-black humor and bruising swagger" and "his prodigious ability with rhymes." Some, though, have criticized Em for offensive language, arguing that he revives "some of his worst traits as a world-be provocateur."