Eminem and Jay-Z’s rumored collaboration may not be happening after all.
While the rap icons were recently included as collaborators on Rakim’s upcoming album, Eminem’s team says they haven’t even been contacted about the project, according to USA today.
Speculation began after executive producer Matthew “M80” Markoff shared a handwritten tracklist for Rakim’s upcoming album on Instagram on June 7. The chart appeared to show Jay-Z and Eminem together on track six, fueling excitement for what would be their first musical collaboration since 2001. Renegade from Jay-Z’s sixth studio album The plan.
But in a surprising turn of events, a representative for Eminem said USA today that no one had contacted the rapper’s team regarding Rakim, Kurupt and Masta Killa’s album.
Even if the appearance eventually materializes, fans shouldn’t expect a full Renegade sequel. Markoff said rolling stone that neither Jay-Z nor Eminem contribute a verse to the track. Instead, their participation comes through an interlude that pays “homage to Rakim’s legacy and influence.”
The tribute will reportedly lead to Rakim’s first self-produced solo song in 15 years. Markoff added that “the entire album with all its parts was recorded in the last two years.”
