EZ Mil Drops New Track with Eminem
Filipino-American rapper Ez Mill just dropped “Realist,” featuring Slim Shady himself, Eminem. Ezekiel Miller meets Marshall Mathers in the rap track, which is making the rounds in hip-hop groups because of Slim Shady’s ruthless takedown of his critics. But it’s also gaining because it looks like rap just gained a promising young rapper in Fil-Am artist Ez Mil.
Just a few days ago, the 25-year-old rapper dropped the bomb that he’d been signed to three major U.S. labels: Eminem’s Shady Records, Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. Despite Ez Mil’s prolific discography, “Realist” is his official entry into the game with the big boys, courtesy of Eminem’s feature.
“Allow me to introduce you to Ez Mil in the realist possible way!” said Slim Shady on Facebook.
“It’s an honor, for real,” said Ez Mil on Eminem hopping onto his track. “[There’s] no one realer.”
Also read:
At 25, Filipino Rapper Ez Mil Signs Record Deal With Eminem and Dr. Dre
This Filipino-American Scientist-Turned-Rapper Just Received the Prestigious Vilcek Prize
Less than a minute into “Realist,” we can see why Eminem signed the young rapper. A true student of Eminem, Ez Mil’s bars and beats are obviously inspired by Marshall Mathers, but with a flair unique to Ez Mil. Prior to the release of “Realist,” Mathers shared that it was Ez Mil’s DU4LI7Y single “Up Down” that caught his attention. The music video and track were directed, produced, and choreographed by Tribe founder and former Jabbawockeez CEO and director Phil Tayag, who’s known for his work with Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, both of whom are Asian-American. After meeting with Ez Mil, Eminem and Dr. Dre signed him to their respective labels.
Eminem explained: “We’ve never been out there signing a lot of artists, and one of the great things about how we built Shady is how selective we’ve been. And it’s even rarer that Dre and I sign something together – but I heard Ez’s music and was like, ‘this is really special' so I took it to Dre. We both agreed it would be a great fit and we wanted to work with him right on the spot.”
Dr. Dre said: “I’m really only interested in working on shit that sounds different from anything else going on out there, and only if I feel I can really bring something to it. Em played me Ez and I had that feeling…that thing that happens when we both know we’ve found something special. And that was it….let’s get to work.”
It’s notable when any Filipino makes it into the U.S.’s competitive hip-hop scene. Still, it’s even more significant that Ez Mil is only the third artist after 50 Cent and Stat Quo to be signed by both Eminem’s Shady Records and Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment. Now that’s impressive.
Born and raised in Olongapo City to Filipino-American parents, Ez Mil moved to the U.S. when he was only 17 years old. He broke out in the Philippine music industry with his hit Tagalog song “Panalo” in 2021, which has now garnered 79 million views on YouTube. The song was a hit, if slightly controversial for his take on national hero Lapu-Lapu. But then again, when has good rap ever not pissed someone off?
Shots Fired by Eminem
As much as the single is about introducing Ez Mil to Eminem’s fans, Eminem also took a moment to fire some shots, as is his way. Three major names and an entire generation were at the receiving end of Slim Shady’s iconic shade.
In response to Melle Mel’s controversial statement that Eminem was only a top five rapper because he was white, Eminem’s response through “Realist” was: “Being white ain’t why they put me at five. It’s why they can’t put me at one.”
To The Game, who mocked Eminem in a podcast, saying “When have you ever heard an Eminem song playing at the club?”, Eminem threw back, “Only reason they still play your shit in the clubs is because you still perform in them.” Bars.
To Lord Jamar, who in 2013 called white rappers a guest in the house of hip hop, Eminem clapped back, “I am a guest in the his but I turned this bitch into a mansion.”
And let’s not forget the moment Slim Shady dragged an entire generation when he said, “Gen Zers actin’ like rap experts, zip up your gaps and close your mouths. Bitch you ain’t been on this planet long enough to tell me how rap’s supposed to sound.” This was in response to the TikTok trend that called to #canceleminem for… whatever reason.
Suffice it to say, even when he’s just a feature, Eminem knows how to own the room. But without taking too much attention away from his new protege, Ez Mil.
Ez Mil is currently based in Las Vegas and is set to release his album DU4LI7Y: REDUX on August 11.
