Renegade

About this song

Eminem produced the beat for the song, which was seen as a major achievement for him, coming a year after the release of The Marshall Mathers LP amid widespread controversy. Eminem was the only guest rapper on the album, and a song with Detroit rapper Royce Da 5'9" had already been recorded over the same beat. JAY-Z later said in an interview that Eminem's verse was better, while noting he has collaborated on many more songs than his rival.

What it's about

The song answers critics who said JAY-Z had forgotten his ghetto roots after getting rich, and moralizers who claimed Eminem was a bad influence on children.

Fun facts

• Sampled in 39 other songs, like “It's Just Pain by Chamillionaire”.
• Covered once, including “True Stories by K Koke”.
• Written by JAŸ-Z, Eminem and Luis Resto.
• Produced by Eminem.
• Recorded at Baseline Studios (New York City).