Peak
72
Weeks
1
Score
83
Chart Year
2024
///
“Head Honcho” is the 14th track on Eminem’s 12th studio album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce). The song features Filipino-American rapper Ez Mil, who was signed to Em’s label, Shady Records, last year. This is their second collaboration following “Realest” and it sees the two rappers reflecting on their journeys and ambitions in the rap industry. Ez Mil opens the track with a verse that blends English and Filipino, to express his cultural identity and versatility. In the chorus, both artists declare themselves as the “head honcho” to highlight their financial success and command in the music industry. Eminem’s verse has a more reflective tone, detailing the adversity and trauma he experienced growing up. He recounts personal stories of violence and survival, such as witnessing his uncle’s stabbing. The song also touches on mutual respect and camaraderie between the two artists. Ez Mil compares Eminem to the king piece in chess, protecting their shared kingdom (the Shady/Aftermath label) while striving to capture the throne other rappers occupy. Through wordplay involving Ez Mil’s rap alias and references to his past music, Em personally introduces him and acknowledges his skills in the rap industry. “Head Honcho” also marks the first time a Shady Records signee has been featured on an Eminem album since 50 Cent on “Crack A Bottle” from Relapse.
[Ez Mil:] Doin' my best just to not blow my cover Know it's all just a test, but I can't pass up this hunger There's still a hole in my chest and I'm tryna strap it with numbers All you hoes got your checks, but I'm a queen when I run up Cross a king with my hunters, shootin' threes in abundance Rookie Gs actin' thuggish, you're pawns to me, shut the fuck up Annihilation's what we love, steady hittin', gettin' dodged Just wait 'til we get the guns out Kwarenta-singko na kalibre o nuwebe, 'kaw na bahala Sa dinami-rami mong mali, utak mo lang may tama Sa kitid mo mag-isip, pare, 'la ka man lang na banat Naglalim-laliman, ang sarap mong ilublob sa dagat 'Di kailangang magpatunay sa sinuman na nakikinig 'Di masasalag ng sintido o ng iyong bibig Picture this, I might be a hero to your little kid Or a villain, either way, I'm the fuckin' head I'm the head honcho, money come from my flow Que hubole, blanco? Then get the bread pronto (Uh-huh) Yeah, I'm the head honcho, money come from my flow (Yeah) Que hubole, blanco? (Uh) Then get the bread pronto (Look, I got) Got loose strips, two grip, that's the shit I'm smooth with I'm the new kid that these fathers can't fool with Send my new slips as tightly than how these boots fit I got that new drip that drowned titanical cruise ships Don't you dib and dabble too close Just watch us from the distance, I don't fuck with all that glucose You fall and need assistance, I could do the same, but who knows? I'd rather say, "Good riddance," Jack the Ripper rippin' paroles Annihilate with persistence to try to say somethin' different But by today, I'm just spittin' to rhyme while makin' a livin' But mama say that I'm different, she proud of how I do business I kinda resemble Hitman that got away from the killin' [Ez Mil (Eminem):] I'm the head honcho, money come from my flow Que hubole, blanco? Then get the bread pronto Yeah, I'm the head honcho, they call me the boss, though You can call me Marshall, then get the bread pronto (Yo) [Eminem:] You don't relate to me, guess you never been angry or sad (Hm) Or maybe just have never had to face any adversity Take any ass whippings, I basically had To see some shit that'd make you faint like you're fakin' a jab (Pussy) Bitch, you wish you had a life like mine (Yeah) You just fantasize the shit you write, you guys like lyin' (Yeah) Everything you ever been through multiplied by nine (What?) Ain't even half the shit I went through by the time I was five (Like, what?) Saw my uncle get stabbed, took a knife right in the abs (Yeah) And all he was tryna do was get my tricycle back, yeah The one that Boogie, Malcolm and Isaac just jacked After they jumped me and stomped me (Boom) and hit me twice with a bat (Ugh) Was five and a half, second time I survived an attack Two twins, they call themselves the bulldogs (Hrr), white kids and fat I was too frightened to scrap (Ha), I didn't fight or hit back And you wonder why is it that I treat a mic like a gat? Fully loaded, but I pull it, a bullet from out a barrel the size (Brr) of a derringer flies That's how I would characterize lyrics But America, I could see the fear in your eyes You saw my terrible side, the blonde hair and blue eyes Now, the writing is on the wall like graffiti still If you're havin' trouble reading, we'll make it simple, he's Ezekiel Easy name to remember (Why?) 'Cause his rap name is the same as like ten minutes on stage is for me (Oh), easy mill Or should I say measly mill? (Haha) Yeah, 'cause as sure as Ma used to feed me Sleeping pills to keep me (Yeah), sleepy still, it was creepy 'Cause indeed, she (What?) could've easily Casey Anthony'd me (Yeah) These rappers, I'm above 'em, but punchin' down ain't beneath me (Nope) Cold as the wind chill factor, but the fact is I don't know when to chill But every time I come out, they expect me to fuckin' reinvent the wheel Rappers get praised for spittin' bars with less than the tenth of skill Imbecile on the ledge like a Benzo pill on a windowsill Now "cancelled" ain't the word for me You need a term that's probably stronger than dirty laundry (Hell) This controversy got me in the worst of quandaries Feel like the Earth's axis, the world's turnin' on me Like them cops in Akron, Ohio with Jayland Walker Ain't caught this much flak in a while (Nah) since back as a child (Damn) And all I did was say like one thing bad then it spiraled Saw you crackin' a smile (Haha), then relapsed into my old ways Back into vile (Yup) Guess there ain't no civilizin' a savage, and I don't (No) Give a fuck if you hate me worse than each track on Revival (Huh) Bitch, I'm back like a spinal (Yeah), get it crackin' like chiros (It's the) It's the coup de grâce, I'm cruder than removin' claws from a cougar's paws And throwin' it back in the wild (Fuck) But you tamin' me? Ain't gonna happen, and I'll Live on planet denial (Ha) for the rest of my life But you'll be a stan 'til I die, though (Ha) (You'll be a stan 'til I die, though)
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jul 27, 2024 | 72 | 54 |