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"Lucifer" is a song by American rapper Eminem and America singer Sly Pyper from the former's twelfth studio album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) (2024). It was produced by Callus, Dr. Dre and Eminem himself.
| "Lucifer" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Eminem and Sly Pyper | |
| from the album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) | |
| Released | July 12, 2024 |
| Genre | Hip hop |
| Length | 4:21 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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"Lucifer" opens with a spoken word sample,[1] in which a voice is heard saying "The 'coup de grâce' is the final shot right between the eyes."[2] Over a bouzouki-sampling,[3] "stark and Wild Wild West-esque" beat, Eminem details his family upbringing, addresses the hypocrisies of Candace Owens[4] and much of the criticism aimed at him,[5] and references the Columbine High School massacre[6] and Depp v. Heard.[7] Furthermore, he suggests that people would be in a more advantageous position if they feuded with rapper Kendrick Lamar instead of him (alluding to Lamar's feud with fellow rapper Drake)[4] and criticizes the undesirable effects of political correctness in the current generation on his music.[3][8] The song also features a "soulful and slightly bluesy" chorus sung by Sly Pyper.[4]
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The song was well-received by music critics. In a review of The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), Alexis Petridis of The Guardian believed the song "has a strong claim to be the album's strongest track."[3] Simon K. of Sputnikmusic stated the song "has this devil-may-care vibe to it, with a sashaying rhythm, jangly guitar part and this gospel undertone which adds flavour".[9] Clash's Robin Murray considered the song one of the "few truly effective haymakers" from the album, writing that the "eerie throw-back production" and intro "recalls Wu-Tang at their most ferocious".[1] Variety's Steven J. Horowitz commented "You can marvel at the lyrical aptitude conveyed on the Dr. Dre co-produced 'Lucifer,' one of the record's best, or bristle at its dated reference to Amber Heard and Johnny Depp's relationship. Or both."[7] Gabriel Bras Nevares of HotNewHipHop cited the "can of Coke" line, the rhyme scheme used in the lyrics targeting Candace Owens and the lyrics concerning Kendrick Lamar to be among the "hilarious, impressive, or exciting moments" of the song.[4] Peter A. Berry of Spin remarked "His 'Candace O' jabs on 'Lucifer' are nearly as quippy and flawlessly rhymed as the bars he traded with Jay-Z back on 'Renegade.'"[10]
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| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[11] | 36 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[12] | 29 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[13] | 40 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14] | 20 |
| Portugal (AFP)[15] | 131 |
| Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[16] | 8 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[17] | 9 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[18] | 37 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[19] | 14 |
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