Four powerhouses in music join vocals for this brand new power-ballad “Lord Above.” Fat Joe enlisted Dre, Mary J. Blige and Eminem on this track from his new 2019 album ‘Family Ties.’ The song was heavily teased by Fat Joe for carrying one of the most disrespectful verses by Eminem. Continue reading for more annotations and lyrics meanings.
“Lord Above” is the eighth track on Fat Joe and Dre’s collaborative album ‘Family Ties’ released on December 6, 2019. In an interview with Sway in the Morning, on December 2nd, Fat Joe talked about Eminem’s feature on the track;
Shout out to Eminem, Shade 45! You know that boy on the album. Marshy! I’ma give you one line Eminem says on the song. The most disrespectful song. Eminem has not rhymed like this in years. He said he’s a ‘unicorn in the human form.’ The illest line that he said that’s stuck in my head was ‘I’m just a cracker with a barrel, armed to the t, Anderson .Paak, rest in peace Afeni Shakur and her son Pac.’ Crazy! This boy going too crazy.
Fat Joe also boasted about the song’s class comparing it to the world-famous play ‘Hamilton’ during the same interview; “It’s so legendary, that when you hear this song … 10 years from now we can make a Hamilton out this song. This one song could be a play. A Hamilton!”
Listen to “Lord Above” by Fat Joe, Dre, Eminem and Mary J. Blige
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Lyrics Review and Song Meaning of “Lord Above”
The underlying theme behind the song is all three artists talking about the ups and downs in the illustrious music careers. For whatever they have gone through, the artists praise the Lord for everything that they have been blessed with.
Verse 1
In the first verse by Dre, the rapper talks about his devotion to Jesus in everything he does in his life. He mentions that it is a sin to hate on the artists for their work, addressing the feuds within the industry. After this, it is quite hilarious that Eminem’s verse obliterates some of his enemies on the same song!
Dre also talks about how through thick and thin, his faith was his shepherd and eventually it paid off. When he was broke, common sense was his bread-winner. At the end of his verse, he also pays homage to Andre 3000’s iconic track “Ms. Jackson.”
Verse 2
Fat Joe really makes us think about the life we have been given with his lyrics on “Lord Above.” He shares how nobody sees God until they come to a situation where they are staring down the barrel of a gun. Even if it is not for a gun, death will surely find your address. So be prepared and collect good karma for a ticket to the upper floor!
At the beginning of his verse, Fat Joe delves a bit into his luxuries that he earned with his career. On to his twelfth album with ‘Family Ties,’ Fat Joe has made a serious foothold in the music industry. He talks about G6 private jets, Porsche cars, and living life to the fullest. He also talks about his ‘chick’ being in San Fransisco and plays a pun on the word ‘bay’ and ‘bae’ area, for being an exclusion zone for his ‘chick.
Verse 3
Eminem has the lengthiest and the densest rhyme out of all in “Lord Above.” He starts off with a sidenote on to his lyrics of the song itself.
Em’s sidenote includes a serious jab at his beef with singer Mariah Carey and her husband Nick Cannon. Eminem claims to have dated Mariah Carey briefly in 2001 which she denies. Later on, Mariah Carey married Nick Cannon and Eminem released “Bagpipes from Bagdhad” aiming at the couple. These jabs went back and forth until Nick Cannon appeared on a talk show with TI in July 2019 and talked about Eminem. In these lyrics, Eminem seems to be addressing the comments by Nick. Em goes on Kamikaze mode by saying that he would rather let Mariah Carey neuter him before Nick Cannon gets anywhere near him.
Moving on from this beef, Eminem talks about his dominance in the game even after several decades of active service. There are many claims by “critics” that Eminem “isn’t good as he used to be.” But that is a choice that should be left to the artist himself. Em compares the rap game to a Glock (gun) and says that some of his opponents don’t even have the gun loaded when coming at him.
Eminem name drops Anderson .Paak, and Tupac Shakur and his mother Afeni Shakur, bidding the latter two farewell in their rest. A brilliant rhyming scheme appearing in these lines is “Anderson .Paak” and “and her son Pac.” Em also mentions how Afeni Shakur had sent Eminem a rhyming sheet of Tupac after his death.
In this verse, Eminem yet again pays tribute to his great aunt Edna and her husband Charles who took care of Eminem when he was small. It is a well documented and sung fact that Eminem’s mother, Debbie Mathers, was not the most exemplary mothers out there. When things got rough at Em’s trailer-park home, he was often taken care by Edna and Charles. Em has not forgotten them.
Em also pays tribute to his childhood hero; LL Cool J. In a 2019 interview with LL Cool J himself, Eminem confessed to him how he was a massive inspiration to Em growing up and starting his music career.
Finally, Eminem acknowledges Fat Joe’s statement that nobody has seen God until they stare down at the barrel of a gun, and he himself is ready to come out of a gun like a bullet tearing through everything in front of it.
Chorus & Outro
Mary J. Blige performs a soulful vocal track here to deliver a message of devotion for God and how it helps with everything. There is too much hate in this world and it is unnecessary. Despite the hate and the jealousy, there really is nothing keeping these artists held back. Because they have the power and blessings of Jesus with them. And for this, all four of them are forever thankful.
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Check out the full lyrics to “Lord Above” by Fat Joe, Dre, Eminem and Mary J. Blige on Genius.