“Lock It Up” by Eminem (ft. Anderson .Paak)

The sentiment the title of this song (“Lock It Up”) is apparently based on is Eminem feeling a need to reestablish himself as a leader in the rap game.  Anderson .Paak’s verse is centered on an entirely different subject of him falling for a particular lady. But Eminem doesn’t really deal with romance at all. Rather his sections of this track read like one of his classic rhymes. The lyrics basically consist of the rapper coming up with unique metaphors which allude to his lyrical skills, professional standing and wealth. 

Or stated otherwise, he is bragging in the same sort of comical, potentially off-putting manner which Slim Shady is famous for. And Anderson .Paak used the opportunity of being featured on this track to drop his own verse about a seemingly ill-fated romantic relationship. 

So what we have here is a case of the artists individually expounding on their own respective interpretations of the phrase “lock it up”. That is Eminem is apparently applying it to putting a stranglehold on the music industry. Anderson .Paak, on the other hand, is using it in the sense of securing the love of a certain female.

Facts about “Lock It Up”

Contrary to what many think, Eminem and Anderson .Paak have officially teamed up once prior to this song. In 2015, they collaborated on Dr. Dre’s track “Medicine Man”.

The production team behind “Lock It Up” consists of the following producers:

• Dr. Dre
• Dem Jointz
• Eric “Blue Tooth” Griggs
• Trevor Lawrence Jr.
• Dawaun Parker

All five of those producers also assisted Eminem and Anderson in writing the song.

This track came out as part of Eminem’s 2020 full-length studio album named “Music to Be Murdered By”. And the labels behind it are Interscope Records in conjunction with Eminem’s Shady Records and Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment.