Rap isn't always about the flex. Sometimes, it’s a eulogy. When the Lace It lyrics first hit the airwaves as part of Juice WRLD’s posthumous releases, the vibe wasn't just another chart-topping collaboration. It felt heavy. It felt like a gut punch because we were hearing a legend who survived his demons talking to a kid who didn't.
Eminem doesn't do "mumble rap" cameos. He doesn't just hop on a beat for a check anymore. He's at a stage in his career where his verses are surgical, often carrying the weight of his own near-death experience in 2007. Benny Blanco produced this track, and it serves as a haunting bridge between two different generations of hip-hop that both struggled with the same monster: addiction.
Why the Lace It Lyrics Hit Differently in 2026
Honestly, looking back at the Lace It lyrics, the song hasn't aged into a "party anthem." It’s become a cautionary tale that feels more relevant as the fentanyl crisis continues to rip through the music industry. Juice WRLD’s chorus is catchy—tragically so. He sings about "lacing" his pills, a line that feels eerie given his passing in 2019 from an accidental overdose.
Eminem’s entrance into the song isn't subtle. He comes in like a ghost from the future. He literally name-checks the substances that almost took him out. Valium. Vicodin. He’s not glorifying it; he’s describing a prison.
It's a weird contrast. You've got Juice WRLD’s melodic, almost euphoric-sounding hook paired with Marshall Mathers’ aggressive, rapid-fire warning. It’s like watching a car crash in slow motion while someone screams "Brake!" from the sidelines.
Breaking Down Marshall’s Verse
Eminem’s contribution to the Lace It lyrics is a masterclass in internal rhyme schemes, but the technicality isn't the point. The point is the list of names. He mentions Lil Peep. He mentions Ol' Dirty Bastard. He mentions Shock G. These aren't just random shout-outs. They are a roll call of lost potential.
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He uses a metaphor about "The Reaper" that stays with you. He describes addiction as a "monster under the bed" that eventually grows big enough to eat the whole room. Em is basically saying, "I was you." He’s speaking to Juice, but he’s also speaking to every kid in the front row of his shows who thinks popping a pill makes them more creative or more "rockstar."
The flow shifts mid-verse. He goes from a conversational tone to that signature "Relapse-era" complexity. He talks about how the brain chemistry changes. How the "high" isn't a high anymore—it’s just a baseline to keep from feeling sick.
The Production Choice
Benny Blanco kept the beat relatively stripped back. It allows the lyrics to breathe. If the production was too busy, you'd lose the message. The drums have a certain "trap" bounce that fits Juice WRLD’s aesthetic, but there’s a melancholic synth running underneath that sounds like a hospital monitor.
The Irony of the Hook
Juice WRLD was the king of "Sad Boy" rap. His fans loved him because he was vulnerable. In the Lace It lyrics, he talks about being "anxious" and needing something to take the edge off. It’s the paradox of the genre. The very thing that made him relatable—his openness about drug use—is what ultimately led to his death.
Eminem tackles this head-on. He calls out the "glamorization" of the lifestyle. He’s basically saying that the industry cheers you on while you're killing yourself because the music sounds good, but they won't be there to carry your casket.
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Fact-Checking the References
People often wonder if the names Eminem dropped were cleared or if there was pushback. Most of these references are historical facts within the culture. When he mentions "The drug of choice for the youth," he’s pointing at the shift from heroin or cocaine to prescription meds and synthetics.
- Lil Peep: Passed away in 2017 from Fentanyl/Xanax.
- Juice WRLD: Passed away in 2019 from Oxycodone/Codeine.
- Eminem: Overdosed in 2007 on Methadone; he has been sober since April 20, 2008.
These aren't just lyrics. They are medical records set to a beat.
The Cultural Impact of the Collaboration
When "Lace It" dropped, it trended immediately, but the conversation wasn't just about the "bars." It was about the tragedy. Fans of Juice WRLD (the 999 club) saw it as a bittersweet moment. Getting a feature from Eminem is the highest honor in rap, yet Juice wasn't alive to hear it.
The Lace It lyrics serve as a rare moment of mentorship from beyond the grave. Usually, the older generation yells at the younger generation for "ruining" the music. Here, Em is showing nothing but empathy. He isn't judging Juice. He’s grieving him.
It’s also worth noting the lyrical density. If you look at the syllable count in Eminem's verse, it's insane. But he slows down for the most important line: "That's why they call it 'narcotics,' 'cause you're 'narcotic'—you’re basically a zombie." (Okay, he said it more poetically than that, but you get the gist).
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What We Get Wrong About This Song
A lot of people think this is just another posthumous cash grab. It’s really not. Eminem has been very vocal about his struggle with addiction in his own music (Recovery, Revival). This felt like a necessary closing of a circle.
Some critics argued that the song is "preachy." Maybe. But when you’ve almost died on your bathroom floor and you’re watching 20-year-old geniuses die in private jets, you earned the right to preach a little.
The song doesn't provide an easy answer. It doesn't say "just say no." It describes the physiological trap. The Lace It lyrics highlight the "itch" that never goes away.
Practical Next Steps for Fans and Listeners
If the message in the Lace It lyrics resonates with you or someone you know, the most important thing is to move past the music and into real-world action.
- Test Your Knowledge: Understand that "laced" drugs are a statistical reality in 2026. The prevalence of synthetic additives in street-level pills makes experimentation significantly more dangerous than it was twenty years ago.
- Carry Narcan: In many regions, Naloxone (Narcan) is available over the counter or through community programs. It saves lives during an opioid overdose.
- Listen to the Discographies Side-by-Side: To truly understand the "conversation" happening in this song, listen to Eminem’s "Going Through Changes" followed by Juice WRLD’s "Wishing Well." The parallels in their mental health struggles are striking.
- Seek Support: If the lyrics feel too close to home, resources like SAMHSA (1-800-662-HELP) provide confidential, 24/7 assistance for those struggling with substance use.
The song is a masterpiece of technical rap, but its true value lies in its honesty. It serves as a permanent digital monument to a talent gone too soon and a survivor who refuses to let the world forget why.