Bad Meets Evil are back with "Caterpillar," the latest single off Royce Da 5'9"s upcoming Book Of Ryan, which drops tomorrow. When Royce first unveiled the tracklist, he withheld the majority of features, keeping Em's involvement a well-guarded secret. Therefore, the reveal of an impending Bad Meets Evil track emerged as a pleasant surprise, and a welcome one at that. Now, Royce Da 5'9" has shared the official video for the collaboration, which features an old-school instrumental courtesy of S1. It's a vast departure from what we're used to Em spitting over, but Slim Shady is nothing if not resourceful.
Royce sets it off over the screeching boom-bap, delivering quick-witted bars at an intense rate. "You number one when it come to slaughtered mics, I'm tryna be number one in my son and daughter life," he raps. "All you n***as my little rapper babies, y'all my children, y'all bit my shit and contracted rabies." There's some truth to the statement; it's safe to say that Royce has quietly been influencing the game for a minute now, setting the bar for lyricism and flow. While Book Of Ryan has been promised to be his most personal album thus far, it's clear that "Caterpillar" is dedicated to the art of bars.
Em comes through with an extended verse, which many fans might find refreshing in the wake of the more pop-friendly Revival. "You're havin' a little trouble fathomin' this is actually happenin', like Anderson Silva back when he snapped his shin in half and then had the shit hangin' by a flap of skin after he tried to plant the shit back on the mat again," raps Em, proving his penchant for vivid imagery. With "Chloraseptic Remix" and "Caterpillar" on deck, is it safe to say that Em will be once again focused on his roots?
Welcome back to Bad Meets Evil. Be sure to cop that Book Of Ryan when it drops tomorrow. Peep our exclusive interview with Royce in the interim.
Quotable Lyrics
You looking at Attila
The psychopathic killer, the caterpillar
Don't tell me when I'm supposed to rap until
Especially when your favorite rapper ain't even half as ill
A savage still, the track's a banana peel, attack at a silver-back gorilla
You're havin' a little trouble fathomin' this is actually happenin'
Like Anderson Silva back when he snapped his shin in half and then had the shit hangin'
By a flap of skin after he tried to plant the shit back on the mat again
