Eminem has enlisted Gwen Stefani for "Kings Never Die," the latest single off the soundtrack to the Jake Gyllenhaal-starring Southpaw. "Kings Never Die" follows Eminem's "Phenomenal" as the second single off the highly anticipated soundtrack.
Stefani opens the rock-inspired single before Eminem unleashes the same adrenaline-rushing raps we heard on "Phenomenal." The song is the No Doubt frontwoman's first feature on a single since 2005, though she also resurfaced this year on Snoop Dogg's BUSH.
Eminem channels Gyllenhaal's Southpaw character, Billy Hope, a washed-up former champion boxer seeking an unlikely return to the ring. He raps with his back against the wall but manages to find his inner-fire as he sinks his teeth into the opening verse.
"I complain about the game, I shout and I pout, it's a love-hate / But I found out that I can move a mountain of doubt / Even when you b*tches are counting me out, and I appear to be down for the count."
It's soon clear Em's own career struggles of late can relate to those of Billy Hope -- "I know shit has changed in this age / F*ck a Twitter page." He assures us, though, that today's Internet haters can't dethrone a rap king, à la Jay Z, Jam Master Jay and Tupac Shakur, each of whom he mentions in the song.
Southpaw, and the accompanying soundtrack, will be released July 24. In addition to Gyllenhaal, the movie will star Rachel McAdams as well as music stars 50 Cent, Tyrese and Rita Ora.
The Eminem-curated soundtrack, featuring tracks from 50 Cent, Action Bronson, Joey Bada$$ and Bad Meets Evil, the duo of Eminem and Royce da 5'9", will be released through Em's Shady Records. Pre-order the soundtrack and get the first two singles on iTunes.
