Jay-Z and Eminem Reunite on Rakim's New Album, Following 2001's Renegade

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Hip-hop legends Jay-Z and Eminem will collaborate again on Rakim's new album, scheduled for release on August 28th, marking their first reunion in 25 years.

This collaboration marks a significant moment for fans who have been eagerly anticipating the two rap icons' collaboration since their 2001 track "Renegade."

The collaborative album will not only feature Rakim, but also feature Kurupt and Masta Killa as featured artists.

Jay-Z and Eminem will contribute to one of the songs on the project, but not as a traditional rap verse.

Matthew "M80" Markoff, the album's A&R and executive producer, explained that their roles will be interludes that pay tribute to Rakim's legacy and influence.

Markoff confirmed the participation of the two influential rappers exclusively to Rolling Stone.

He also shared a snippet of the tracklist on Instagram on June 7, 2026, showing Eminem and Jay-Z's names listed next to the sixth track.

Jaÿ-Z and Eminem will reunite on the new Rakim, Kurupt and Masta Killa collab album.On Sunday (June 7), the project's A&R and executive producer, M80, shared the tracklist for the upcoming project. Track No. 6 is listed as an interlude featuring Hov and Shady. It is unclear if… pic.twitter.com/jw4eBhh80B

— XXL Magazine (@XXL) June 8, 2026

The album's executive producer, Matthew “M80” Markoff, posted a handwritten tracklist for Rakim's upcoming album on Instagram on June 7, with Eminem and Jay-Z's names next to the sixth track.

Even so, Markoff, who is the president of Holy Toledo Productions, told Rolling Stone that Jay-Z and Eminem do not have a rap part on the song; however, their interlude pays "homage to Rakim's legacy and influence."

Rakim's first self-produced solo track in 15 years will follow the interlude, Markoff said. "The entire album with all its parts were recorded in the past two years," he added.

Jay-Z and Eminem's reunion in the recording studio was a major highlight, considering their last collaboration was on the song "Renegade," released on Jay-Z's 2001 album, The Blueprint.

The song has sparked a long-running debate among fans over who delivered the best performance, with many praising the sharp lyrics and complex rap flows of both rappers.

"Renegade" itself has become one of the most iconic collaborations in hip-hop history, often mentioned in discussions about battle rap and lyrical excellence.

Despite their infrequent collaborations, Eminem and Jay-Z are known to have a deep mutual respect.

Eminem has stated that he considers Jay-Z his life inspiration and greatly admires the punchlines in his work.

Likewise, Jay-Z has openly acknowledged Eminem's talent and influence, frequently calling him one of the best rappers of all time.

In addition to Jay-Z and Eminem, this collaborative album will also feature several other big names from the hip-hop world.

Among the artists are Snoop Dogg, KRS-One, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Buckshot, and Daz Dillinger.

The project will also feature a posthumous executive production credit from Oliver "Power" Grant, a member of the Wu-Tang Clan.

While the album title has not been officially announced, some reports suggest Rakim will release an album titled "The Re-Up" on August 29th.

The album, featuring Jay-Z and Eminem, is targeted for release on August 28th, with pre-orders set to begin in July.