The Adventures Of Moon Man & Slim Shady

Album: single release only (2020)
Charted: 44 22
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, Kid Cudi links up with Eminem for a fiery track about their successful careers. Each spits a lengthy verse, with Cudi referencing his jet-setting lifestyle, 2016 stint in rehab for depression, and his drug use. Eminem starts off his verse by alluding to his unofficial title of "Rap God." He goes on to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic, the police killing of African Americans, and the Black Lives Matter movement.
  • The song title harkens to:

    Kid Cudi's self-proclaimed "Man On The Moon" moniker. The rapper named his first two albums Man On The Moon: The End Of Day (2009) and Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager (2010).

    Eminem's alter-ego Slim Shady, who expresses his base impulses. Marshall Mathers first introduced his persona on his 1997 debut record Slim Shady EP.
  • This marks the first time the two rappers have performed together on a track. However, Eminem did produce Cudi's 2010 collaboration with Lil B, "I Hear Them Calling Me," and on the 2015 Bad Meets Evil track "All I Think About," Em samples the Cleveland rapper's "In My Dreams 2015" and gives him a shout out.
  • Cudi dropped the song on July 10, 2020. He originally hinted at a collaboration two months previously when he directly tweeted Marshall Mathers asking for his help. "Eminem rap God. Help!" he wrote.
  • Cudi's go-to producer, Dot Da Genius, created the spooky instrumentation along with J Gramm, and Eminem.
  • The collaboration came about after both artists appeared on Lil Wayne's Young Money radio show on Apple Music. Cudi had his verse already and sent it to Eminem's manager, Paul Rosenberg. When he was told Em agreed to lay down some rhymes, Cudi started worrying that the Detroit rapper would overshadow him on the track. However, he was so excited about the prospect of a joint with Slim Shady that he didn't mind being bumped.
  • The pair didn't meet up in person as Kid Cudi was in LA and Eminem in Detroit. However, Cudi told Apple Music's Zane Lowe the important thing was getting validation from Slim Shady by jumping on his track. "Him doing that record let me know, like he was telling me like, 'Yo, I f--k with you as an artist fully, even your bars are dope,'" he said.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?