Not Alike (feat. Royce Da 5'9)

"Not Alike" is a powerful statement of artistic integrity and a scathing critique of the contemporary rap scene. The song's primary meaning revolves around the vast chasm in lyrical skill, authenticity, and overall artistry between Eminem and Royce da 5'9" and the newer generation of rappers, often categorized as 'mumble rappers'. The title itself is a direct declaration of this separation. The track mocks the prevalent trends in modern hip-hop, such as simplistic rhyme schemes, materialistic lyrical content, and a perceived lack of substance. Eminem and Royce position themselves as purists of the craft, emphasizing complex lyricism and genuine street credibility over fleeting fame and social media clout. Furthermore, the song serves as a direct diss track, most notably aimed at Machine Gun Kelly. This adds a layer of personal animosity to the song's meaning, transforming it from a general critique into a targeted lyrical assault. The beef with MGK stems from a 2012 tweet about Eminem's daughter and subsequent subliminal disses. Therefore, "Not Alike" is not just a commentary on the state of hip-hop but also a personal and aggressive reassertion of dominance and a warning to rivals.

The song begins with Royce da 5'9" establishing a stark contrast between himself and contemporary rappers. He dismisses their materialistic obsessions with brands like Jordans and Audemars, contrasting it with his own explosive and volatile nature, symbolized by 'explosions and Molotovs.' He criticizes the superficiality of modern rap, suggesting that these new artists are all 'smoke' and no substance, merely chasing fleeting fame through social media. Royce highlights his lyrical prowess, asserting that while others are struggling to freestyle, he's effortlessly innovating. He also touches on the prevalent drug culture, mocking the use of 'uppers and downers' and the pursuit of online followers over genuine talent. He questions their claims of street credibility and gang affiliations, positioning himself as an authentic and intellectually superior artist who values knowledge and skill above all.

Eminem takes over with a direct and aggressive tone, initially targeting the broader trend of 'mumble rap' by mimicking the triplet flow and nonsensical ad-libs characteristic of the subgenre. He creates a collage of disconnected phrases to parody what he views as a lack of lyrical substance. This section serves as a satirical commentary on the state of mainstream hip-hop, emphasizing how little he has in common with these artists. The chorus reinforces this idea, with the repeated line, 'we are not alike,' serving as the central thesis of the song.

Eminem's main verse is a focused and blistering attack, primarily aimed at Machine Gun Kelly (MGK). He calls out rappers who fabricate stories of violence and gang life, directly labeling MGK a 'wannabe gunner.' He deconstructs MGK's tough-guy persona, accusing him of being all talk with no real-world experience to back it up. The lyrics are filled with intricate wordplay and double entendres, referencing everything from battery charges to weaponry. Eminem explicitly addresses MGK's past subliminal disses, particularly a line from a Tech N9ne track, and makes it clear that he will no longer tolerate such disrespect. The most personal and direct part of the diss is the reference to MGK's 2012 tweet about Eminem's daughter, Hailie. Eminem frames this as a line that was crossed, warning MGK to stop commenting on his family. The verse is a showcase of Eminem's technical skill, with complex rhyme schemes, rapid-fire delivery, and a menacing tone. It serves as a reassertion of his dominance in the rap game and a warning to anyone who dares to challenge him. The song concludes by reiterating the central theme of disparity in skill and authenticity between Eminem and his contemporaries, solidifying his position as a lyrical titan who is, in his own words, 'not alike' anyone else in the industry.

"Not Alike" was recorded between January and August of 2018 and released on August 31, 2018, as part of Eminem's surprise album, Kamikaze. The album itself was a direct response to the negative reception of his previous album, Revival, and saw Eminem return to his more aggressive, confrontational style. The song features a collaboration with long-time friend and fellow Detroit rapper Royce da 5'9", with whom he forms the duo Bad Meets Evil. The production of "Not Alike" is notable for its beat switch. The first part is produced by Tay Keith and interpolates the beat from BlocBoy JB's "Look Alive," a popular trap song at the time. This was a deliberate choice to mock the trendy sound of modern hip-hop. The second, more aggressive beat was produced by Ronny J. The song's creation was heavily fueled by Eminem's feud with Machine Gun Kelly. The conflict escalated after MGK's 2012 tweet about Eminem's daughter, Hailie, and was further ignited by what Eminem perceived as a subliminal diss from MGK on Tech N9ne's song "No Reason". This prompted Eminem to respond directly and aggressively on "Not Alike," making it a pivotal moment in their highly publicized beef. The song was recorded at Effigy Studios in Detroit, Michigan.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Not Alike" are complex and dynamic, reflecting the song's aggressive and multifaceted nature.

• Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme is intricate and constantly evolving. Both Eminem and Royce da 5'9" employ a combination of multisyllabic rhymes, internal rhymes, and slant rhymes, often weaving them together in long, complex chains. There is no simple, repeating rhyme scheme like AABB; instead, it's a more free-form and technically demanding style that showcases their lyrical prowess.
• Rhythmic Structure: The song's rhythm is characterized by a dramatic shift in tempo and flow. The first half, over the Tay Keith beat, features a more trap-influenced rhythm, which Eminem mimics and mocks with a triplet flow. When the beat switches, the rhythm becomes more aggressive and driving, and Eminem's flow becomes faster and more complex, with rapid-fire delivery and intricate cadences.
• Interplay of Lyrical and Musical Rhythm: There is a strong interplay between the lyrical and musical rhythm. In the first part, the lyrics' cadence often plays with the underlying trap beat in a satirical way. In the second half, Eminem's aggressive, percussive delivery works in tandem with the hard-hitting Ronny J beat to create a sense of relentless assault.

"Not Alike" is a masterclass in lyrical and musical stylistic techniques, showcasing both artists' verbal dexterity.

• Beat Switch: The song famously employs a beat switch, transitioning from a trendy trap beat produced by Tay Keith to a more aggressive and darker beat by Ronny J. This musical shift mirrors the lyrical shift from a general mockery of the genre to a direct, personal attack.
• Parody and Mimicry: Eminem parodies the 'Migos flow' (triplet flow) and the use of nonsensical ad-libs to critique the perceived lack of originality in modern trap music. This mimicry is a powerful satirical tool.
• Intricate Rhyme Schemes: Both Eminem and Royce da 5'9" are known for their complex rhyme schemes, and this track is no exception. They utilize multisyllabic rhymes, internal rhymes, and assonance to create a dense and technically impressive lyrical tapestry.
• Wordplay and Double Entendres: The lyrics are laden with clever wordplay and double meanings. For example, the line 'you ain't never even been charged in connection with battery' plays on the multiple meanings of 'charged' and 'battery.'
• Direct Address: A significant portion of Eminem's verse is a direct address to Machine Gun Kelly, creating a confrontational and personal tone.
• Alliteration and Consonance: The song makes heavy use of alliteration and consonance to enhance its rhythmic quality and impact, as seen in phrases like 'wannabe gunner' and 'lyrical bullets'.

"Not Alike" had a significant cultural impact, primarily due to its role in igniting one of the most high-profile rap beefs of recent years between Eminem and Machine Gun Kelly. The song's direct diss prompted MGK to release a response track, "Rap Devil," within days, which in turn led to Eminem's rebuttal, "Killshot." This lyrical feud captured the attention of the music world and became a major topic of discussion online and in the media. "Not Alike" was a key track on Eminem's surprise album Kamikaze, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The song itself charted in the top 40 in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. More broadly, "Not Alike" and the Kamikaze album were seen by many as a return to form for Eminem, a move away from the more pop-oriented sound of his previous album, Revival, and back to his aggressive, lyrical roots. It sparked conversations about the state of modern hip-hop and the divide between older and younger generations of artists. The song solidified Eminem's continued relevance and his willingness to engage with and critique the contemporary music landscape.

The song is rich with symbolism and metaphors that underscore its central themes of authenticity and lyrical warfare.

• 'Explosions and Molotovs' vs. 'Jordans and Audemars': Royce da 5'9" uses this contrast to symbolize the difference between his raw, dangerous artistry and the materialistic, brand-obsessed culture of modern rappers.
• 'Smoke': This is used metaphorically to describe the superficial and insubstantial nature of the new wave of rappers. Just as smoke appears large but has no real substance, these artists are perceived as all image and no talent.
• 'Wannabe Gunner': This is a direct and symbolic insult to Machine Gun Kelly, who often refers to himself as a 'gunner'. By calling him a 'wannabe,' Eminem symbolically strips him of his self-proclaimed identity and questions his authenticity.
• Weaponry Imagery: Throughout the song, both artists employ extensive imagery of guns, bullets, and warfare. This serves as a metaphor for their lyrical prowess, portraying their words as weapons in a battle for hip-hop's soul. The mention of 'lyrical bullets' is a direct example of this.
• 'Sub, Machine Gun': Eminem's wordplay on 'submachine gun' is a clever metaphor for MGK's subliminal disses, turning his name against him.

The most significant recurring phrase in "Not Alike" is the title itself, which is repeated in the chorus: "We are not alike, there's not alike us on the mic." This phrase serves as the song's central thesis, constantly reinforcing the theme of artistic separation and superiority. Its repetition hammers home the message that Eminem and Royce da 5'9" consider themselves to be in a different league from their contemporaries. Another recurring motif is the mockery of the 'mumble rap' ad-lib style in the pre-chorus, with its nonsensical, rhyming couplets like 'Brain dead, eye drops / Pain meds, cyclops'. This recurring parody serves to continuously ridicule the perceived lack of lyrical substance in modern hip-hop. The weaponry and combat motif also recurs throughout the song, with references to 'Molotovs', 'lyrical bullets', 'submachine gun', and 'arsenal', creating a sustained metaphor for the lyrical battle they are waging.