Prior to Eminem's 2009 "comeback" album Recovery, the nature of the relationship between Em and Wayne was somewhat ambiguous. Em reflects on "Talkin' To Myself" that he "almost made a song dissing Lil Wayne," over Weezy's surging popularity and rising status as a potential GOAT. Around the same time, Wayne spoke about Em in an interview, alluding to the fact that Slim Shady was afraid to get on a track with him. While Wayne's comments led to 50 Cent taking up lyrical arms against him, Em stayed silent on the issue, working on overcoming his baggage and getting his mind right.
Somewhere along the lines, both rappers decided they were better off united, and Wayne became the only guest on Recovery to provide a verse. On their first collaboration, the Just Blaze produced "No Love," both rappers go off on lengthy verses with the sparks of friendly competition in the air. Wayne starts things off with a momentum builder, and once the drums kick in, he's delivering some of the classic Wayne wit and flow that set him apart from his peers. However, Eminem ultimately ends up stealing the show with an aggressive and confident verse. Recovery found Eminem newly sober and honing a different style, which somewhat birthed a more intense delivery and a reliance on questionable punchlines. Still, his poise on No Love is that of a master, who has spent long years honing his craft.
It's hard to make a song best known as the soundtrack to Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan's Roxbury escapades sound hard, but Just Blaze does an admirable job with the sample. "Monopoly board" line aside, Em secures himself as one of the game's best, and Wayne holds his own as an admirable contender. If you're going to revisit Recovery anytime soon, this is one of the album's more immediate tracks.
Quotable Lyrics
I ain't never givin' in again
Caution to the wind, complete freedom
Look at these rappers, how I treat 'em
So why the fuck would I join 'em when I beat 'em?
They call me a freak ‘cause I like to
Spit on these pussies 'fore I eat 'em
Man, get these whack cocksuckers off stage!
Where the fuck is Kanye when you need him?
