Homicide

"Homicide" is a powerful statement and critique of the state of modern hip-hop. The song's primary meaning revolves around the idea of lyrical superiority and the perceived decline of substance and skill in the rap genre. Logic and Eminem position themselves as purists and masters of the craft, using the metaphor of 'committing homicide' to describe how their complex and rapid-fire verses 'kill' the competition, particularly targeting 'mumble rappers' and those who rely on autotune and ghostwriters. The track is a defiant stance against what they see as a wave of unoriginality and a lack of lyrical depth in mainstream rap. They are not just boasting about their own abilities; they are championing a specific style of rap that prioritizes intricate wordplay, storytelling, and technical proficiency. The song is a call to arms for a return to what they consider the core values of hip-hop lyricism.

The song opens with a candid conversation between Logic and his father, who playfully affirms Logic's greatness. This intro sets a confident and somewhat comedic tone before the track aggressively shifts gears. Logic then launches into the first verse with a rapid-fire flow, declaring his return and intent to dominate the rap scene. He uses the metaphor of a 'homicide' to describe his lyrical prowess, suggesting he is 'killing' other rappers. He criticizes the current state of hip-hop, particularly the prevalence of unoriginality and the focus on superficial content over lyrical skill. He briefly mocks the popular 'mumble rap' style, using Auto-Tune to mimic rappers who prioritize repetitive and simplistic lyrics about wealth and women. However, he clarifies that his critique isn't a diss to the entire genre but rather a call to elevate the art form. Logic emphasizes that to claim the title of 'the greatest,' a rapper must deliver exceptional lyrical content.

Eminem's verse continues this thematic onslaught. He enters the track with his signature intricate wordplay and breakneck speed. He also takes aim at the lack of originality in modern rap, specifically targeting artists who use ghostwriters. His lyrics are dense with internal rhymes, metaphors, and cultural references, showcasing his technical skill and veteran status in the game. He references his own legacy and past controversies, adding a layer of self-awareness to his critique. He compares his lyrical dexterity to a variety of powerful and often violent images, reinforcing the 'homicide' theme. His verse is a display of lyrical dominance, intended to intimidate and school newer artists.

The song's outro features a sample from comedian Chris D'Elia's viral impression of Eminem. This serves as a moment of levity and self-awareness, acknowledging the sometimes-parodied aspects of Eminem's intense rapping style. By including the sample, both artists demonstrate a sense of humor and an ability to not take themselves too seriously, despite the aggressive and competitive nature of the song's main content. The track as a whole functions as a statement piece from two highly skilled lyricists, asserting their superiority and lamenting what they perceive as a decline in the quality and substance of mainstream hip-hop.

The creation of "Homicide" marked the first collaboration between Logic and Eminem. Logic, a long-time admirer of Eminem, had previously expressed his desire to work with the rap icon. The process began with Logic recording his verse over a beat produced by the trio BREGMA and co-produced by Shroom. The beat itself was created across three different laptops and features boom-bap drum loops to give it a raw and textured feel. Logic's team, through Paul Rosenberg who was the president of Def Jam and also Eminem's manager, sent the track to Eminem. Eminem liked the song and decided to contribute a verse. Logic first heard Eminem's verse in Hawaii, where he was invited to open for Eminem's show. The song was released on May 3, 2019, as the third single from Logic's fifth studio album, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. The song's outro features a sample of comedian Chris D'Elia's viral impression of Eminem, which D'Elia provided for free as he considered it a huge honor.

The rhyme scheme in "Homicide" is complex and fluid, characteristic of both Logic's and Eminem's styles. They utilize multi-syllabic rhymes, internal rhymes, and slant rhymes extensively throughout their verses. The song doesn't adhere to a simple, repetitive rhyme scheme but rather a more free-form structure that allows for intricate wordplay. The rhythm is a key element of the song's impact. Both rappers deliver their lines with a fast-paced, aggressive cadence that drives the track's high energy. The underlying beat has a classic hip-hop feel with a prominent boom-bap drum pattern. A significant rhythmic feature is Eminem's use of triplets in his flow, which creates a polyrhythmic effect against the straight 4/4 time signature of the beat. This rhythmic complexity adds to the technical impressiveness of his verse. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is a central part of the song's appeal, highlighting the artists' virtuosity.

"Homicide" is a showcase of advanced lyrical and musical techniques. Both artists employ a rapid-fire, 'chopper' style of delivery, characterized by its speed and rhythmic complexity. The song is replete with literary devices, including alliteration, assonance, and consonance, which contribute to its dense and intricate sound. There are numerous double and triple entendres, particularly in Eminem's verse. For instance, the line about a 'rover' being 'red' alludes to a Range Rover, the game 'Red Rover,' and the act of running over opponents. The production by BREGMA and Shroom is minimalistic, with a boom-bap influence that places the focus squarely on the vocal performances. The song also utilizes sampling, most notably the scratch sound from Eminem's "My Name Is" and the comedic outro from Chris D'Elia. A key musical technique is the use of polyrhythms in Eminem's verse, where he raps in triplets over a 4/4 beat, creating a sense of increased speed and rhythmic tension.

"Homicide" had a significant cultural impact upon its release. The song was a commercial success, debuting at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reaching the top 10 in several other countries, including Australia, Finland, and New Zealand. It was certified Platinum in the United States. The collaboration between two major figures in hip-hop generated considerable excitement and discussion among fans and critics. The song also drew attention for its sampling of comedian Chris D'Elia's viral impression of Eminem, which further amplified its reach and led to D'Elia's increased visibility. The track was featured in the intro to Chris D'Elia's Netflix comedy special "No Pain". "Homicide" is seen as a definitive statement from Logic and Eminem on the importance of lyricism in rap and has been praised by many for its technical skill and bold critique of contemporary trends. The official music video, which features actors Chauncey Leopardi and Chris D'Elia as stand-ins for Logic and Eminem respectively, also garnered significant attention.

The central metaphor in "Homicide" is the act of murder as a representation of lyrical dominance. Logic and Eminem frame their rapping as a lethal weapon, and their verses are the bullets that eliminate their competition. This is evident in lines like "Bustin' like an addict with a semi-automatic" and the recurring theme of 'killing' other rappers. Another significant metaphor used by Logic is "a gas to the flame" when referring to his impact on the rap game, suggesting he is trying to ignite and evolve the genre, while others are like "a moth to the flame," simply drawn to the existing success without contributing anything new. Eminem employs a variety of metaphors to assert his skill, such as comparing himself to a 'behemoth in sheep's clothes,' implying his immense talent is not always immediately apparent. He also uses the 'Red Rover' children's game as a metaphor for breaking through the lines of his opponents.

The most prominent recurring motif in "Homicide" is the concept of 'killing' the rap game and other rappers, which is directly stated in the title and repeated throughout the lyrics. Another recurring element is the reference to Eminem's alter ego, Slim Shady, and his signature "chika-chika" sound from "My Name Is". This phrase is used as a tease, building anticipation for Eminem's appearance on the track. The criticism of mumble rap, autotune, and ghostwriters is a recurring theme that unifies both artists' verses. There is also a recurring self-awareness and even a touch of self-deprecation, particularly in the outro featuring Chris D'Elia's parody of Eminem's style.