(L) Eminem. Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images (R) CeeLo Green. Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for UCLA Institute of the Environment & Sustainability
In his 2002 single "Without Me," Eminem rapped "Though I'm not the first king of controversy / I am the worst thing since Elvis Presley / To do Black music so selfishly / And use it to get myself wealthy." It's a funny and self-aware lyric that acknowledged the role of race in both artists' successes, and the parallels probably made an Eminem song in an Elvis biopic somewhat inevitable. That day has arrived with today's release of "The King and I," a track by Eminem and CeeLo Green taken from Baz Luhrmann's upcoming film Elvis. The song samples Presley's "Jailhouse Rock," and finds Eminem further exploring his similarities with Elvis. Hear it below.
The Elvis Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is out on June 24; the film itself will be in theaters the same day. The lead single, Doja Cat's "Vegas," was released in May. Kacey Musgraves, Jazmine Sullivan, Stevie Nicks, Tame Impala, Yola, Nardo Wick, Denzel Curry, and more will also contribute songs.
