Remember The Name (feat. Eminem & 50 Cent)

"Remember The Name" is a triumphant anthem celebrating the journey from humble beginnings to global stardom. The song's core message revolves around perseverance, self-belief, and the ultimate realization of long-held dreams. Each artist recounts their personal story of overcoming obstacles and defying expectations to carve out their legendary status in the music industry. Ed Sheeran reflects on his "misfit" childhood and the initial discouragement he faced when he wanted to rap. His verse is a testament to his ambition and the power of 'wishing something into existence.' Eminem's verse delves into his past struggles with addiction and the pressures of fame, highlighting his resilience and enduring relevance in the rap game. 50 Cent's contribution is a confident celebration of his luxurious lifestyle and established position, a stark contrast to his own well-documented difficult upbringing. Ultimately, the song is a powerful statement about legacy and the importance of being remembered for one's achievements. The recurring line, "it's 'bout time you remember the name," serves as a bold declaration of their collective impact on music and popular culture.

The song chronicles the artists' ascent from obscurity to global stardom, a testament to their perseverance and ambition. It opens with a reflection on a misfit childhood, detailing a burning desire to transcend humble origins and make a significant mark on the world. This early narrative is colored by the skepticism of others, who advised sticking to a more conventional path rather than pursuing the seemingly audacious dream of a rap career. There's a palpable sense of defiance against these early dismissals, a theme that resonates throughout the track.

As the narrative progresses, it delves into the realities of fame and the music industry. The lyrics touch upon the transformative power of success, the shift in conversations once money becomes a factor, and the internal drive that fuels relentless ambition. A personal milestone is subtly revealed through a reference to the artist's wife, offering a glimpse into a private life shielded from the public eye. The journey from a 20-year-old newcomer to a household name is presented with a mix of pride and a touch of irony, especially when juxtaposed with the initial doubts of naysayers. The first verse culminates in the ultimate fantasy for the artist: to share a track with two of his musical idols, a dream that has now been willed into existence.

The chorus serves as a powerful, recurring declaration of intent. It's an assertion that the journey is far from over, that there is more to achieve and more to be earned. The repeated phrase, "it's 'bout time you remember the name," acts as a confident and assertive statement of their established and enduring presence in the music world. It's a call for recognition of their hard-won status.

The second featured artist enters with a retrospective look at his own struggles, from trying to secure a record deal to battling addiction, all while navigating the treacherous waters of the music industry. This verse is laden with clever wordplay and metaphors, illustrating a journey of overcoming adversity. The artist's resilience is a central theme, as is his unwavering commitment to his craft. The lyrics convey a sense of defiance in the face of those who doubted his longevity, celebrating his continued success and relevance. There is a clear statement that retirement is not an option, that the creative fire still burns brightly.

The final verse shifts the tone to one of opulent celebration. It paints a picture of a lavish lifestyle, a direct result of the success detailed in the previous verses. The lyrics are filled with imagery of high-end fashion, extravagant parties, and the carefree enjoyment of wealth. This section serves as a triumphant victory lap, a stark contrast to the humble beginnings described earlier in the song. It's a celebration of the rewards that come with reaching the pinnacle of the music industry. The song concludes with a final, emphatic repetition of the chorus, solidifying the central message of enduring legacy and the importance of remembering the names of those who have reached the zenith of their field through talent and sheer will.

The creation of "Remember The Name" was a story of ambition and serendipity. The song is featured on Ed Sheeran's 2019 album, No.6 Collaborations Project. Sheeran had a long-held desire to create two distinct tracks with Eminem: one introspective and another that was a nod to the "cheekier songs" from Eminem's earlier albums. Their 2017 collaboration, "River," fulfilled the former, and Sheeran envisioned "Remember The Name" as the latter. The initial beat was crafted in July 2018 in Sweden by Sheeran and producer Max Martin. As a bit of fun, Sheeran cheekily wrote a line in the first verse about wanting a song with Eminem and 50 Cent. Fate intervened when Sheeran went to Eminem's dressing room before a show in London, only to find 50 Cent there as well. This chance meeting solidified the collaboration. The song was recorded in December 2018, with 50 Cent announcing the collaboration shortly after. The production was a collaborative effort between Max Martin, Shellback, Fred, and Sheeran himself. Interestingly, 50 Cent later revealed that the artists were not in the same country during the recording process and that Eminem had initially sent him the track without his own verse on it.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Remember The Name" are integral to its hip-hop identity. The song employs a consistent, driving beat that propels the lyrical delivery of all three artists. The rhyme schemes are intricate, particularly in Eminem's verse, which is characterized by multi-syllabic and internal rhymes. For example, in the lines "became an addict / Funny 'cause I had pop appeal," the rhyming sounds are woven within the lines themselves. The overall rhythmic structure is straightforward and catchy, designed to be memorable and impactful. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is a key feature, with the artists' vocal flows often syncopating with the underlying beat. Ed Sheeran's delivery is more melodic in the chorus, providing a contrast to the more percussive and rhythmically complex verses of Eminem and 50 Cent.

"Remember The Name" showcases a blend of musical and literary techniques that contribute to its energetic and nostalgic feel. Musically, the song is noted for its "Dr. Dre-inspired production," featuring staccato guitars, pounded pianos, and a stomp-clap beat reminiscent of early 2000s hip-hop. In the hook, Ed Sheeran channels the vocal style of Nate Dogg, a renowned hip-hop vocalist. Lyrically, the song is rich with intricate rhyme schemes, a hallmark of Eminem's style. He employs multi-syllabic rhymes and complex internal rhymes throughout his verse. There is also a notable instance of intertextuality with 50 Cent's interpolation of OutKast's "So Fresh, So Clean" in his verse, which adds to the track's nostalgic quality. Sheeran's verse utilizes a narrative storytelling approach, recounting his personal journey in a direct and relatable manner. The song also features a collaborative and conversational vocal delivery, with the artists' distinct styles complementing each other.

"Remember The Name" was released as a promotional single from Ed Sheeran's fourth studio album, No.6 Collaborations Project, in 2019. The song garnered significant attention due to the high-profile collaboration between Sheeran, Eminem, and 50 Cent. It charted in numerous countries, reaching the top 10 in New Zealand and Slovakia. In the UK, it peaked at number one on the Official Trending Chart and number three on the UK R&B Singles chart. The track was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry and Platinum by Music Canada. Critical reception was mixed, with some critics praising the nostalgic, Dr. Dre-inspired production, while others were critical of the verses from Eminem and 50 Cent. Despite the mixed reviews, the song was a significant moment for Ed Sheeran, as it allowed him to collaborate with two of his childhood musical heroes and demonstrate his versatility as an artist. The song's inclusion on the commercially successful No.6 Collaborations Project, which was the fastest-selling album of 2019 in the UK, further solidified its place in popular culture.

The song employs several metaphors and symbolic references to enhance its themes of ambition and success. Eminem's line, "put nine inch nails in my eyelids," is a graphic metaphor for his intense focus and determination to succeed, suggesting he would do anything to avoid seeing failure. He follows this with, "now I'm seein' diamond sales like I'm in Zales," a simile that equates his commercial success with the clarity and brilliance of diamonds. Sheeran's lyric, "My wife wears red, but looks better without the lipstick," serves as a subtle metaphor for his appreciation of natural beauty and a glimpse into his private life, away from the glitz and glamour of his public persona. It also acts as a confirmation of his marriage to Cherry Seaborn. The title itself, "Remember The Name," is a powerful and direct metaphor for achieving a lasting legacy and impact in the music industry.

The most prominent recurring phrase in the song is the title itself, "Remember The Name," which is repeated in the chorus. This repetition serves to reinforce the central theme of legacy and the artists' desire for their impact to be acknowledged and remembered. The chorus, as a whole, acts as a recurring motif, with the lines "You know it ain't my time to call it a day / I wanna crack on and I wanna be paid" emphasizing their ongoing ambition and drive. This recurring declaration of their continued hunger for success, despite their already established careers, is a key element of the song's message. There are no significant variations in the recurrence of these phrases, which contributes to the song's anthemic and memorable quality.