Review: "Lace It" by Juice WRLD featuring Eminem & Benny Blanco
Introduction: A Powerful Collaboration
"Lace It," a standout track from Juice WRLD's posthumous album The Party Never Ends, reunites the late rapper with Eminem and producer Benny Blanco. With a hauntingly mellow trap beat and bass-heavy production, the song feels both introspective and captivating. Juice WRLD's familiar blend of raw emotion and catchy hooks is paired with Eminem's rapid-fire verse, creating a powerful contrast that addresses the struggles of substance abuse and addiction. This collaboration exemplifies the deep emotional gravity that both artists have shared in their respective careers, making it a fitting tribute to Juice WRLD's legacy.
Juice WRLD’s Vulnerable Chorus
The song opens with Juice WRLD's signature delivery, where he reflects on the matrix-like nature of his world, using metaphors like "codeine by the cases" and "I've been purple rainin’" to convey the numbing effects of substance abuse. His raw vulnerability is evident in his lyrics, as he hints at the inner chaos he battles, illustrating the toll that fame and addiction have taken on his mental health. The chorus, with its catchy hook of "Roll it up, lace it, pop a few to chase it," captures the cyclical nature of substance use, encapsulating the feeling of being trapped in an endless loop of temporary highs.
Eminem’s Reflection and Caution
Eminem's verse shifts the tone, offering a perspective of experience and caution. As a veteran of the rap game, Em doesn’t mince words as he highlights the destructive effects of addiction, recounting the cycle of drugs that takes hold of even the most successful artists. He poignantly references the overdose deaths of other musicians, using them as cautionary tales for younger generations. Eminem's reflection on his own battles with addiction adds an extra layer of depth to the song, blending his personal history with the sobering reality that many face.
Benny Blanco’s Production and Mellow Vibe
The production, helmed by Benny Blanco, is a perfect backdrop for the reflective nature of the song. The bass-heavy track complements the somber mood of the lyrics, while its mellow tone keeps the focus on the emotional weight of the subject matter. The occasional pop elements in the beat also provide a sense of dynamism, making the track accessible to a wider audience, despite its darker themes. This balance between pop appeal and introspective content is one of the track's standout features, showing how Juice WRLD and his collaborators crafted something both commercially viable and artistically profound.
A Sobering Tribute to Juice WRLD
Ultimately, "Lace It" is a poignant piece that speaks to the struggles of addiction and the consequences of living a life in the spotlight. The collaboration between Juice WRLD, Eminem, and Benny Blanco results in a track that is both reflective and powerful. While the song’s catchy hooks may initially draw listeners in, its deeper meaning, brought to life by the heavy lyrical content, ensures that it stays with you long after the music fades. It’s a sobering reminder of the risks of fame and substance abuse, while also serving as a fitting tribute to Juice WRLD’s lasting impact on the rap world.
Listen to Juice Wrld Lace It featuring Eminem & Benny Blanco
Juice Wrld Lace It Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of Lace It featuring Eminem and Benny Blanco by Juice WRLD is a deep exploration of the struggles that come with fame, addiction, and the emotional turmoil of living in the spotlight. Through the lyrics, Juice WRLD reflects on his personal battle with substance abuse and the consequences of relying on drugs as a coping mechanism. The collaboration with Eminem adds an extra layer of insight, as Eminem himself has had a well-documented history with addiction, giving the song a sense of shared experience. Together, they paint a haunting picture of the dark side of fame and the trap of addiction, with Benny Blanco's production further enhancing the somber mood of the track.
The Matrix Reference:
“Roll it up, lace it, pop a few to chase it
I'm in my own Matrix, none of this shit makes sense”
The Matrix (1999) is a sci-fi action film where humans are trapped in an earth-like simulation called the “matrix.” Juice WRLD specifically alludes to the blue pills found throughout the movie, which, when consumed, cause users to continue living in ignorance of the real world. Juice metaphorically uses the blue pills to stay inside his own “matrix” (similar to “the abyss”), not wanting to deal with the outside world.
Memory Loss and Drug Overdose:
Juice WRLD, who’s practically known for his drug use and openly addresses it in his music, speaks on the consequences of a drug overdose, which include loss of consciousness and memory loss. Reflecting on Juice WRLD’s personal experience with memory loss after the significant intake of drugs, Juice expands on this further in his unreleased track, “All Life Long (Good Time),” where he raps:
Last night was a blur, so girl, I wasn’t sure
If we made love or if we made something more
Last thing I remember is me walking out the door
Next thing you know, woke up on the floor (Uhm)
Looks like they had a good time, I must’ve too
‘Cause for some reason I can’t remember my night
That’s when somebody hit my phone line
Sayin’, “Yesterday was wild,” asking if I’m alright
I don’t know what happened, but I wanna know.
Codeine and Purple Rain:
“Codeine by the cases, I've been purple rainin'”
Codeine is an opioid pain relief medicine and a core ingredient in promethazine-codeine cough syrup, which, other than its medical purposes, is primarily used to create lean (sometimes referred to as “purple rain”)—an illicit concoction typically based on promethazine-codeine cough syrup, a soda (like Sprite), ice, and a hard candy (like Jolly Ranchers). The term “purple rain” originated from the late musician, Prince’s 1984 album, Purple Rain, where the theme purple describes a man willing to find spiritual fulfillment. However, American rapper, Gucci Mane, quickly turned this positivity into street slang by incorporating lean’s natural purple color and by rain, meaning he has a constant supply of it, which Juice WRLD is likening himself to.
This lyric also alludes to Juice’s seemingly never-ending supply of lean, which is proven by his 2018 track “I’ll Be Fine,” where he rapped:
And there’s lean on deck, you know?
Purple Rain
But in the meantime, bitch, it’s lean time
Maybe lean time, outta energy
I woke up leaning, so I woke up dreaming (Dreaming)
And fiending for more, for more, for more
One cup, I need four more, hey
Coping with Stress Through Drugs:
“Stressed out, so I tend to take meds (Take meds)”
Throughout his career, Juice WRLD often spoke about using drugs to cope with the harsh reality of the world and his mental health. For example, in a 2019 interview with Billboard, Juice spoke on how he converted his mental health struggles into positivity for his young listeners:
You tell [anyone that] you’ve got [anxiety, depression, or ADD], […] they’re gonna look at you like you’re crazy. That’s not how it should be, but that’s how it is, and that needs to change, and hopefully, I’m one of those people that could bring that change. [I make music] for people to receive, reevaluate, and learn, and grab my hand and walk with me through whatever they may be going through.
However, Juice WRLD best explains this in 2021’s “Already Dead,” where he raps:
You can see the pain in my laugh (Yeah, yeah)
Demons comin' back from the past (Yeah, yeah)
Feelin' like I’m ‘bout to relapse (Yeah, yeah)
Voices in my head (Yeah, yeah)
All I can hear them say (Yeah, yeah)
Is, “Everyone wants me dead” (Yeah, yeah)
Bitch, I’m already dead (Yeah, yeah)
I’ve been dead for years.
The Devil and Drugs:
“Thе Devil told me, "Good show, break a lеg" (Break a leg)”
“Break a leg” is often said to actors and musicians before they go on stage to perform or for an audition. Juice states that the drugs or the devil are practically inviting him to try them. This temptation was something Juice tragically could not avoid, as he died from oxycodone and codeine toxicity (codeine being found in lean and oxycodone in Percocet).
This isn’t the first time Juice referred to drugs being the devil. In his unreleased track “AY YO!! (Purple Devil),” he speaks on the Devil being the drug lean:
Sippin' that purple devil.
In fact, Juice WRLD’s titular 2021 album Fighting Demons, explores the deeper side of Juice’s music, most notably that of the drugs. Furthermore, in the official music video of Juice’s 2020 track “Righteous,” Juice can be seen fighting his demons in an animation:
[Verse 2: Eminem]
You pop some ecstasy first, it gets progressively worse (Yeah)
Try your best to reverse (No), unsuccessfully flirtin' with certain death
And revertin' to your promethazine urge
The fuckin' devil, he lurks
In his verse, Eminem adopts Juice’s metaphor, depicting drugs as a devilish force pursuing him, narrowly escaping a potential death due to severe addiction. This theme of a close brush with death is also reflected in “Arose,” where he raps:
Been flirtatious with death, skirt-chasing, I guess.
Eminem’s personal battle with addiction was candidly discussed in an interview with Vanity Fair, where he revealed his nightly consumption of 75 to 80 Valium pills. His near-fatal overdose in 2007 was a turning point, leading to his commitment to sobriety since April 20, 2008.
In another interview with Shade 45 in 2009, Eminem mentioned that out of the early drugs he used to abuse, the only one he did have a problem with was ecstasy, but that it paled in comparison to his later problem with Valium.
Alcohol, ecstasy – like, all those things – mushrooms, I never really had a problem with it. For some reason, I could cut those things off… I mean, ecstasy, yeah, I had a little problem with it for a little while. A good couple months, I went through a phase where I was doing it a little too much. But all in all, the big picture, once I stumbled on the Valium, like, that was kind of my drug of choice. It triggered something in me that was just like, ‘OK, this is nice, I like this, I can actually function on it, I can do things,’ and at the time, I felt like, ‘shit, I think I can do more things on Valium. I think I can go on TV on Valium, and I think it’ll calm my nerves, and it’ll make me just right.’
The Dark Side of Fame:
“lose your best friend, he smirks
Wake up and everything hurts (Ow)”
Eminem lost his best friend and fellow D12 member, Proof, in 2006 after he got shot in front of a nightclub. After that, Em started popping pills heavily just to numb his pain, almost dying due to an overdose in 2007.
“You start slow, then before you notice it, now you're mixin' (What?)
Oxy's without prescription (Yeah)”
Oxycodone is a narcotic, and is a popular choice among those who abuse narcotics. Generally, mixing any type of drugs is bad for you, but mixing different types of drugs is worse. Juice WRLD actually died due to a seizure caused by toxic levels of Oxycodone and Codeine in his blood.
“Cough medicine, valium with 'em (Damn)”
Diazepam, name brand Valium, is a medication used to treat conditions such as anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms, or twitches. Additionally, it can also be used to alleviate symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal.
“They call it lean 'cause you gravitate and lean towards the purp”
Lean, also known as purple drank, purp, sizzurp, syrup, and several other names, is a recreational drug beverage, prepared by mixing prescription-strength cough or cold syrup containing codeine and promethazine with a soft drink. The beverage originated in Houston and is popular in hip hop culture, especially within the Southern United States. The term lean refers to the fact that users may have difficulty standing up straight while under the influence of the drug.
In this line, Eminem explains through a play on words that if you take the drug once, you will take more and more of it to feel the same effects.
“The blessing or the curse of fame
'Cause now you can afford the syrup (Damn)
Percocet and Percodan, but that ain't what you meant
When you said you wanted to be famous”
This line focuses on the downside of fame. In the hip-hop world, many famous people claim that they would give anything to be famous, but Eminem warns that fame comes with a dark side. When you’re in the limelight, you have access to everything, including drugs. Sometimes it’s not the fame that keeps people in the game, it’s the money that comes along with it, including the ability to buy these drugs with ease. Eminem mentions that people may initially join the game for fame but end up staying for the drugs.
“The tragic side of fame when the games
(Oh) Can you lose your life and no one even know it?”
Eminem references several artists who died from drug overdoses, including Lil Peep, ODB, and Shock G, emphasizing the ultimate tragic outcome of addiction within the music industry.
Juice Wrld Lace It Lyrics
[Intro: Juice WRLD]
Yeah, ayy, mm
[Chorus: Juice WRLD]
Roll it up, lace it, pop a few to chase it
I'm in my own Matrix, none of this shit makes sense
All these humans basic, don't got no home trainin'
Codeine by the cases, I've been purple rainin'
Roll it up, lace it, pop a few, chase it
I've been in the Matrix, none of this shit makes sense
All you humans basic, you ain't even got home trainin'
Codeine by the cases, I've been purple rainin'
[Verse 1: Juice WRLD]
Stressed out, so I tend to take meds (Take meds)
Thе Devil told me, "Good show, break a lеg" (Break a leg)
All these painkillers like I got a pair of broken legs (Broken legs)
All these Percs I pop, you'd thought I was plannin' to break my neck
Grindin', man, I'm hungry for this shit like I ain't ate yet
You wish that you could have what I could have, you could just say that
If you ain't my lil' bitch, then bitch, them convos, you can save that
These niggas think they invincible 'til they see them bullet holes in they Maybach
[Chorus: Juice WRLD & Eminem]
Roll it up, lace it, pop a few to chase it
I'm in my own Matrix, none of this shit makes sense
All these humans basic, don't got no home trainin'
Codeine by the cases, I've been purple rainin'
Roll it up, lace it, pop a few, chase it
I've been in the Matrix, none of this shit makes sense
All you humans basic, you don't even got home trainin'
Codeine by the cases (Yeah), I've been purple rainin
[Verse 2: Eminem]
You pop some ecstasy first, it gets progressively worse (Yeah)
Try your best to reverse (No), unsuccessfully flirtin' with certain death
And revertin' to your promethazine urge
The fuckin' devil, he lurks, lose your best friend, he smirks
Wake up and everything hurts (Ow)
And as you spiral downward, listen (Yeah)
I know just how it is when (What?)
You start slow, then before you notice it, now you're mixin' (What?)
Oxy's without prescription (Yeah)
Cough medicine, valium with 'em (Damn)
But ain't that how addiction sort of works (Uh)
They call it lean 'cause you gravitate and lean towards the purp
The blessing or the curse of fame
'Cause now you can afford the syrup (Damn)
Percocet and Percodan, but that ain't what you meant
When you said that you're in it for the perks (Nah, damn)
Develop a habit out of that
Need a Xanax now to rap
So you pop it 'fore you record a verse (Ah)
Your buzz wear down, yeah
Like a rabbit out a hat makes you wanna pull your hair out (Ha)
Fentanyl (Yep), Oxy (What?)
Demerol, them are all what possibly got Shock G, Roxy
Codone and lean is probably what got Lil Peep and ODB
So many who OD be way too young to go
See me, I was lucky, my escape was narrowin'
Do not think I take it for granted, that I'm still here
Synthetic heroin, you (What?) tried to kill me, then you
Murdered Jarad, didn't you? Piece of shit
Thanks to you, now we lost Gangsta Boo and Pimp C, Prince, and Michael, mixing Nyquil
With prescription Vic's, addiction's like a fucking vicious cycle
Juice, we will forever miss you
To the younger generation (Nah)
I ain't lecturing you, but man, just be careful when you
[Chorus: Juice WRLD]
Roll it up, lace it, pop a few to chase it
I'm in my own Matrix, none of this shit makes sense
All these humans basic, don't got no home trainin'
Codeine by the cases, I've been purple rainin'
Roll it up, lace it, pop a few, chase it
I've been in the Matrix, none of this shit makes sense
All you humans basic, you don't even got home trainin'
Codeine by the cases, I've been purple rainin'
[Outro: Juice WRLD]
I ain't comin' down from this high
Ain't finna let nobody kill my vibe
They committed social suicide
But me? I refuse to die (I refuse to die)
I will never come down from this high
I won't let them kill none of my vibes
They committed social suicide
Me? I can never ever die, I can never ever die
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