Beyoncé and Eminem ‘Walk’ a ways together
Two new Beyoncé features in two months? That’s good news for fans awaiting the singer’s post-twins return.
After lending her vocals to a charity remix of J Balvin and Willy William’s Mi Gente, Bey returned Friday with a feature on Eminem’s surprise new single, Walk on Water. The single is the rapper’s latest endeavor since his polarizing anti-Trump freestyle at the BET Hip Hop Awards last month and his first single since 2015.
It’s not often listeners get a ballad from Eminem, but Walk on Water is a moving return for the two stars that sees them on equal footing, opening with soulful vocals from Bey before the rapper’s introspective verses.
But will the song assuage Eminem fans who haven’t been impressed by him for years? The song doesn’t offer any lyrical breakthroughs, only plenty of bragging as Em looks back on his career, reminding fans of one of his enduring hits, rapping, “(Expletive), I wrote Stan.” Still, the addition of Beyoncé elevates the track.
While the rapper hasn’t confirmed that Walk on Water is part of a larger release, fans have speculated that a new Eminem album may be arriving soon. His social media feeds have featured cryptic posts about a mysterious drug named “Revival,” including a teaser several days ago with a written prescription recommending to “walk on water.”
Eminem will give Walk on Water its live premiere at Sunday’s MTV EMAs in London, and fans can expect to hear it in his Nov. 18 appearance on Saturday Night Live. Will Beyoncé join him? Walk on Water is another step back into the spotlight for Bey, who has spent much of 2017 with her infant twins, Rumi and Sir. But she has returned to the headlines in the past several weeks, guesting on others’ songs and announcing new projects, like her role in Disney’s forthcoming live-action adaptation of the Lion King.
But for now, Bey and Em are together on this track, a hopeful omen for the rapper’s new music ahead.