Rap & Video Game Nerds Unite: Eminem Returns With “Survival” Posted by Lucas Garrison on 08/14/13 | Filed under Eminem, Call Of Duty

While my video game nerdery is not even close to my level of hip-hop nerd-dom, I still consider myself an avid gamer, so when the new Call Of Duty: Ghosts multiplayer trailer came out, attached to a new Eminem cut, “Survival” my head damn near exploded. Although, Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2 sucked—I played it for like two weeks and haven’t touched it since—I couldn’t help but be excited for the new one. How much of that was the game and how much was Em’s explosive cut I don’t know but either way I am pumped. Rather than just talk about one or the other (the song or the game) I figure, why not speak on both? After all video games and hip-hop can always go hand in hand.



I guess I’ll start with Em because hip-hop always comes first. While its kinda hard to get the whole song experience because of all the shooting and explosions in the background, you can get the idea. Em brings the heat as usual and with Liz Rodrigues (of The New Royales) insanely catchy hook, plus DJ Khalil’s clapping production, this sure to be another hit for Marshall; it also looks to be the first single from his next album. The real story here is Eminem’s corporate ties. While it might seem crazy, considering he hasn’t really released much music in the past few years, Em is right up there with Jay-Z in terms of marketable, corporate friendly rappers. In addition to appearing on the last Call Of Duty trailer, Em also has ties with Chrysler, Lipton’s Brisk Iced Tea (both commercials aired during the Super Bowl), not to mention a Universal Pictures movie in 8 Mile. He also recently put on a show sponsored by G-Shock. It is pretty incredible that someone who is so quiet on the music scene can still rake in the sponsors and still make everyone stop on a dime when he finally does release something. Em has the ultimate hip-hop hall pass; he can do as many commercials as he wants and release as little music as possible and people will still consider him a true emcee. I am not saying he isn’t, it is just interesting because I don’t think too many rappers who with a “fuck the man” persona like Eminem’s could get away with it.



As for the game, considering how weak Black Ops 2 was, I have to say I’m still not sold. Of the big releases coming out this fall I am still keeping COD lower on this list, when before, it would be the only game I bought. Madden drops soon, FIFA drops in September, and of course, the one the whole world is looking forward to, Grand Theft Auto is also pegged for a September release. The big thing that has me interested is that the environments are ever changing and way more interactive. As you can see from the commercial, you can break stuff, crash things, blow shit up which will lead to a much more varied, enjoyable experience. It gets so stale playing the same maps over and over again and having to deal with people who exploit the corners and hiding places in the game. It looks cool, but Call of Duty still has some work left to do in my book before I’m sold. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

P.S.- If you want a version of the song without the Call Of Duty chaos in the background, we got ya covered below.

See Also:  G-Shocks the World With Rare Eminem Performance x New Watch
See Also:  What’s Your Favorite Eminem Song of All-Time?