In a recent interview with MTV Eminem described the making of the smash hit ‘Renegade’ which featured on Jay-Z’s album The Blueprint in 2001. Shady revealed to MTV that the song was originally a collaboration between himself and Royce da 5’9” of slaughterhouse. The revelation will come as a surprise to many considering the significant status of the track since it was released a decade ago.
Former collaborators Eminem and Royce originally worked together on the track ‘Nuttin to do’ in 1999 and they will be releasing their second collaboration ‘Bad meets Evil’ on an E.P in June. Eminem taking the latter title whilst Royce is ‘bad’. In an interview with MTV the Detroit duo took a trip down memory lane and discussed the collaboration that might have been. Shady revealed to MTV’s Sway the scenario that unfolded around the recording and releasing of ‘Renegade’.
Eminem described the inital interaction between him and the Jiggaman: “It was a situation where Jay had called and I had a record to present to him.” He details how he had trouble getting the beat he intended for Jay on time. “At the time we were recording on two-inch reels. What happened was that there was a beat that I had an idea for me and Jay to do a song together. And the reel with the beat on it was in L.A, I was in Detroit and Jay was on a deadline.” With no feasible way to get Jay-Z on this particular track, he offered ‘Renegade’ as an alternative option.
In the end, Eminem sent the track to Jay-Z and let Hova do the rest. “I actually sent him the track and he put his verses on there and sent it back and I mixed it.” After this interaction, ‘Renegade’, one of the greatest ever hip hop collaborations, was born. Jay-Z and Eminem made one of rap’s greatest records and Eminem and Royce would not cross recording paths again for another ten years.
