“Lock It Up” is the 16th track on Eminem’s 2020 project ‘Music to Be Murdered By.’ In the song Eminem and Anderson .Paak go round and round to talk about the competition in the game, the ups and downs, and through it all how they keep resurfacing.
Eminem released his much anticipated eleventh studio album titled ‘Music to Be Murdered By’ on January 17, 2020. Although the album was heavily awaited by Stans, the release of the album was a surprise as Eminem nor any official party gave out any confirmation of the release. ‘Music to Be Murdered By‘ album consists a staggering 20 tracks and is considered as a double album. The album is seemingly an address to the current status of the Rap God, addressing his friends and foes in the game. This recent surprise project follows Eminem’s 2018 surprise hit ‘Kamikaze‘ album that literally attacked every disdainful aspect in society including mumble rap.
In the lyrics, Eminem mentions his former labelmate Joe Budden. Eminem once called him a “traitor” for leaving the Shady Records label managed rap collective Slaughterhouse and criticizing Eminem in public. In “Lock It Up,” Eminem calls him “trader Joe” which sounds like “traitor Joe.”
Listen to “Lock It Up” by Eminem Ft. Anderson .Paak
In this song, Eminem shoutouts to his own 2010 track “Cinderella Man,” a reference to the fairytale of Cinderella who gets a second chance to succeed. Eminem was also given a second chance after his drug abuse almost claimed his life. However, he has been clean since.
Eminem also shoutouts to rappers Method Man and ScHoolboy Q. He compares his wealth to Oprah Winfrey in the second verse. Although Oprah’s $2.6 billion is nothing to be compared to Eminem’s $230 million, Eminem still is the best selling rapper of all time. The idea is that losing a traitor such a Joe Budden does nothing to Em’s popularity of earnings.
Even at 40-years-old, Eminem is still “cutthroat” and deadly. His lyrical prowess has barely subsided and he still holds his murder weapons-the pen and the mic.
Check out the complete lyrics and further song meaning breakdown on Genius.