EZ Mil Drops “Madara” FT Eminem
Today, Las Vegas-based, Philippines-born rap force EZ MIL showcases his ability to bridge worlds on a global, cross-cultural scale with “MADARA” – out now via Shady Records / Aftermath Records / Interscope Records. The searing new single brings together global rap icon Eminem, Tokyo underground phenom Hideyoshi, and Neil Kaplan, the accomplished voice actor behind legendary anime villain Madara Uchiha in the English dub of Naruto.
“MADARA” reunites EZ with one of his earliest and most consequential champions, Eminem. The pair first joined forces on EZ’s 2023 single “Realest,” before EZ later appeared on “Head Honcho” from Eminem’s The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce). Their latest collaboration adds another chapter to a creative relationship that has played an important role in EZ’s rise.
The song also brings several of EZ’s passions together in one place. A longtime Naruto fan, he grew up immersed in the anime’s complex world, which ultimately inspired the song’s title. Hideyoshi, meanwhile, has become EZ’s favorite Japanese artist. And with Neil Kaplan — the English voice of legendary Naruto villain Madara Uchiha — stepping in to deliver a verse in his unmistakably epic voice, the concept comes full circle.
“MADARA” establishes a villainous mood from the start as solemn keys give way to hard bass kicks and skittering hi-hats. EZ delivers his verses in English — hitting triplets and incorporating anime references with ease — but slips into Japanese to back up Hideyoshi on the hook. “All of a sudden you wack spitters wanna rap like you been in the dojo,” he sneers. “I can’t picture you trying to scrap in no tux but you wanna personify Gojo?” EZ leaves a trail of lyrical destruction, while Kaplan growls out the kicker: “Power chose me, for I once loved those who hate me / Blood spilled by those I care about greatly, but all you who’s left shall now obey me.”
The new song is a worthy follow-up to July’s explosive 3RD WRLD VOL. 1 EP, led by the booming Dr. Dre-mixed single “2200,” which is named for EZ’s hometown of Olongapo City (zip code 2200). The three-song set is focused on the forces that made EZ the burgeoning star he is today, proudly celebrating his Filipino heritage and the relentless grind that’s carried him this far. “SINDAK” (translation: “INTIMIDATION”), combines viciously snarled Tagalog lyrics with his signature metalcore-influenced production, while “LORD HELP ME” is a prayer for strength. Eminem shows that he’s still got it on this track.
In the run-up to the release, EZ shared the “2200 (Director’s Cut)” music video, which captures his unstoppable rise on the global stage. Between cinematic narrative scenes, he hangs from the window of a tricked-out jeepney in Olongapo, lands tricks in the shadow of Mt. Fuji at the grand opening of Japan’s FUJI BerriQs Skate Plaza, dips into the United States, and rocks a sold-out arena show in Manila. The visual includes cameos from legendary pro skater Eric Koston, acclaimed Japanese rapper Awich, and rising Filipino R&B artist Dionela.
That was after EZ stepped back into the spotlight with the Tagalog-language single “Leon (Ka),” a wild display of his verbal prowess that doubled as a love letter to the Philippines. VIBE celebrated the guitar-infused track as a playlist must-add, while EZ teamed up with the locally brewed Leon Extra Strong Beer to release a fiery video co-starring Filipino luminaries like actor Gerald Anderson, MMA fighter Mark “Mugen” Striegl, and the founders of DBTK apparel.
EZ first stirred up rumors of his long-awaited return in February when he shared a clip of his short but staggering Lunar New Year Freestyle — a perfect meld of the lithe, expressive vocals and sharp, dextrous rhymes that put him on the international map to begin with. Before that, he contributed to Eminem’s blockbuster No. 1 album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), lacing “Head Honcho” with forceful verses alternating between English and his native tongue.
His last album, 2023’s DU4LI7Y: REDUX, contained his first team-up with Eminem, the certified rap acrobatics showcase “Realest,” which debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s Rap Digital Song Sales and R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales charts. EZ followed with the single “Podium,” a confident and contemplative piece about what it means to have a platform as an artist.
Cover by Mikeyartbook