Forever

"Forever" is an epic hip-hop "posse cut" that serves as a powerful declaration of dominance, ambition, and the quest for a lasting legacy. The song unites four of the biggest rappers of the time—Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Eminem—each delivering a verse that defines their position in the rap hierarchy. The overarching theme is the concept of achieving a timeless, 'forever' status in the music industry. It's a celebration of success, but also a reflection on the personal costs and fierce determination required to maintain it. Each artist approaches the theme from a different perspective: Drake as the hungry newcomer solidifying his place , Kanye as the conflicted veteran weighing the price of fame , Lil Wayne as the eccentric and untouchable superstar , and Eminem as the legendary lyricist reasserting his technical supremacy. The song's title is derived from the chorus's final line, "I want this shit forever man," which encapsulates the shared desire for an unending reign at the top of their game.

The song is a monumental collaboration, a lyrical showcase where four of hip-hop's most prominent figures of the era declare their dominance, reflect on their journeys, and stake their claim to an eternal legacy in the music industry. Each artist delivers a verse that encapsulates their unique persona and perspective on fame, success, and resilience.

Drake, as the relative newcomer at the time, kicks things off. His verse is a confident assertion of his arrival and his intention to stay at the top permanently. He portrays himself as having achieved success against the odds and without the conventional support system, noting that those who doubted him are now seeking his approval. He balances braggadocio about his newfound fame and wealth with a sense of defiance, making it clear he earned his position and will defend it. The recurring hook, "I want this shit forever man," becomes the central theme, a yearning for timeless relevance and success that ties the entire track together.

Kanye West follows, offering a more introspective and almost tragic look back at the cost of fame. He begins by reminiscing about his dreams of success and the relentless drive it took to achieve them. However, his verse quickly delves into the darker side of his reality: the fake friends, the personal losses, including the profound impact of his grandmother's passing, and the feeling of becoming a 'maniac' in the process. He expresses a poignant ambivalence, suggesting he'd trade the accolades (the Grammys) for his family back, revealing the heavy price of the 'forever' he once craved.

Lil Wayne's verse is a whirlwind of his signature punchlines, metaphors, and non-linear, charismatic wordplay. He presents himself as an otherworldly figure, a Martian in the rap game, operating on a different plane of existence. His lyrics are packed with clever turns of phrase, comparing life to a theme park and boasting about his unparalleled freshness and relentless drive. His verse is less a narrative and more a demonstration of pure lyrical dexterity and confidence, solidifying his status as a unique and dominant force who will never stop.

Eminem delivers the final, explosive verse, serving as a powerful reminder of his technical prowess and lyrical ferocity. Coming off a hiatus, his part is a relentless, fast-paced assault on the beat. He frames his return not as a quest for more fame, but as a defense of his own dignity and a reassertion of his place at the pinnacle of rap. His verse is a dense tapestry of multi-syllabic and internal rhymes, delivered with an aggressive, double-time flow. He portrays himself as a villainous, unstoppable force, a 'monster' in the booth, leaving no doubt about his enduring skill and legendary status.

"Forever" was produced by Boi-1da and has a layered history. The beat was initially used in early 2008 by Kardinal Offishall for an unreleased track called "Bring It Back". After Kardinal didn't use it for his album, the beat was sold to Drake. An early version titled "I Want This Forever" featuring Lil Wayne and Kidd Kidd leaked in late 2008.

The official version was created for the soundtrack of the 2009 LeBron James documentary, More than a Game. Drake's management presented the track to the soundtrack's organizers, and the collaboration began to take shape. Drake explained that the goal was to create not just a song, but a "moment" to be remembered. Kanye West was added, followed by a new verse from Lil Wayne, and finally, a verse from Eminem, secured through Interscope Records. The inclusion of Eminem was particularly impactful; both Kanye West and Lil Wayne reportedly rewrote their verses after hearing his contribution because it was so powerful. The final track was released on August 27, 2009, and was also included on the Refill re-release of Eminem's album Relapse. Rapper Jay-Z lauded it as "the best posse cut of the year".

The song is set to an upbeat tempo of approximately 158 BPM, with a driving 4/4 time signature that gives it a powerful, anthemic feel. The rhythm of Boi-1da's production is hard-hitting and steady, providing a consistent canvas for the four distinct lyrical flows.

The rhyme schemes vary significantly between the verses, highlighting each rapper's individual style:

• Drake's verse primarily uses end rhymes to create memorable punchlines, focusing on clear and impactful statements to build his verse.
• Kanye West's verse also focuses on storytelling, using rhymes to punctuate his narrative about the disillusionment with fame.
• Eminem's verse stands out for its rhythmic and rhyming complexity. He employs dense, multi-syllabic, and internal rhyme schemes. For instance, in lines like "They’ve been waiting for me to snap back into it, and thank God I have...", he creates a chain of rhymes that flows rapidly and showcases incredible technical proficiency. His delivery often uses a double-time rhythm, rapping at twice the speed of the underlying beat, which creates a sense of urgency and aggression that anchors the track's finale.

"Forever" is a masterclass in the "posse cut" format, where multiple rappers feature on a single track to showcase their lyrical skills. Musically, the song is built on a dark, soulful, and mournful beat by Boi-1da, which provides a dramatic and epic backdrop for the verses. A key musical element is Drake's echoing, Auto-Tuned hook which separates the powerhouse verses.

Each artist employs a distinct vocal delivery and narrative style:

• Drake: As the newcomer, his style is confident and predatory, using a punchline-heavy flow to establish his arrival and marketability.
• Kanye West: His verse is structured as a tragic narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end, reflecting on the highs and lows of his career with an impassioned, almost weary delivery.
• Lil Wayne: He utilizes his signature raspy voice and eccentric, free-associative flow, packed with witty punchlines and metaphors that emphasize his unique and alien-like status in the rap world.
• Eminem: He closes the track with a technically dazzling and aggressive double-time flow. His verse is a lyrical showcase of complex rhyme schemes and relentless energy, designed to remind listeners of his formidable skill.

"Forever" made a significant cultural impact upon its release, largely due to its unprecedented lineup of four of hip-hop's biggest stars at the peak of their relevance. It was considered a major musical event and was lauded by critics and fans, with Jay-Z calling it the "best posse cut of the year". The song was a commercial success, debuting at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Rap Songs chart. It became Drake's first song to sell over 3 million digital copies in the US.

The song was created for the soundtrack of LeBron James's documentary More Than a Game, linking it to the world of sports and further cementing its status as a motivational anthem. The Hype Williams-directed music video featured LeBron James and cameos from artists like Birdman and members of Slaughterhouse, adding to its event-like feel. The collaboration is often remembered as a historic moment in modern hip-hop, showcasing a rare convergence of talent. It received a nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, where Drake, Lil Wayne, and Eminem also performed the song. "Forever" remains a staple of hype and workout playlists, and it represents a key moment in Drake's ascent from rookie to superstar.

The lyrics of "Forever" are rich with symbolism and metaphors that reinforce its central themes of success, power, and legacy.

• Royalty and Dominance: The artists frequently use metaphors of kingship and supremacy. Drake's line, "Labels want my name beside the X like Malcolm," not only references Malcolm X but also symbolizes signing on the dotted line as a mark of ultimate value and leadership.
• Sports and Competition: The song's connection to the LeBron James documentary frames the rappers' careers through the lens of elite athletic competition. They are not just artists but top-tier competitors in the 'game.' Eminem's opening, "There they go, back in stadiums," directly evokes a sports champion returning to the arena.
• Violence and Aggression: Aggressive metaphors are used to describe their lyrical prowess and impact. Kanye West 'rapes the game young' to signify his early and forceful entry into the industry. Eminem describes himself as a 'monster' and a 'killer,' using violent imagery ("I'm a spit this shit 'til my tooth-fillings come flying up out of my mouth") to convey his lyrical intensity and the raw force of his comeback.
• Immortality: The core concept of 'forever' is the ultimate metaphor for achieving an immortal legacy. Lil Wayne's line, "Life is such a roller coaster and then it drops / But what should I scream for? This is my theme park," transforms a symbol of fear and volatility into one of personal enjoyment and control, suggesting he is master of his own chaotic destiny.

The most significant recurring lyrical motif is the hook, sung by Drake: "It may not mean nothing to y'all / But understand nothing was done for me / So I don't plan on stopping at all / I want this shit forever man, ever man, ever man." This chorus functions as the song's thesis statement, repeated between each verse to unify the track's central theme of relentless ambition and the desire for eternal success and recognition.

The word "forever" itself is the primary motif, appearing in the hook and serving as the song's title. It encapsulates the artists' shared goal of cementing a legacy that will last beyond their time in the spotlight. Each verse then becomes a personalized exploration of what 'forever' means to them—whether it's Drake's desire for unending success, Kanye's reflection on the eternal consequences of fame, Wayne's timeless uniqueness, or Eminem's perpetual status as a top-tier lyricist.