American rapper Eminem and Filipino-American artist EZ Mil released their collaborative single titled MADARA on October 11, 2026, drawing thematic inspiration from Naruto villain Madara as the centerpiece for their lyrics [1]. The track brings together Tokyo underground rapper Hideyoshi and veteran voice actor Neil Kaplan under Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records [2]. It pairs aggressive hip-hop delivery with direct anime lore as both artists reflect on rivalry, career longevity, and personal endurance [6].
How Naruto Villain Madara Shapes the Single
In the original manga and anime storyline, Naruto villain Madara stands as the penultimate antagonist who helped establish the Hidden Leaf Village with Hashirama Senju before turning into its greatest threat [5]. He faked his own death and spent decades preparing the Eye of the Moon plan, an elaborate plot to trap humanity in an endless dream world [6]. The new track focuses on his stubborn refusal to stay defeated rather than fantasy elements like the Divine Tree [3].
That legendary persona gives both emcees a fitting metaphor for their position in the music world. EZ Mil sets the tone early by rapping about how he can’t be destroyed by competitors who try to dismiss his craft [6]. Eminem follows with fast rhymes about holding his ground against critics who wish he’d step aside after decades at the top of the hip-hop landscape [7]. The track builds around dark piano chords, deep bass kicks, and fast hi-hat patterns that create a sinister atmosphere for the collaboration [2].
The pairing shows how anime themes have found a natural home in modern hip-hop lyrics. Neither artist treats the Japanese property as simple background dressing; they weave character traits into their verses with specific intent [6]. It isn’t just about borrowing a cool name from television, but about matching the relentless drive of a fictional warlord against everyday industry pressures that both artists encounter in their careers [7].
Neil Kaplan Brings Madara Uchiha to the Mic
The most surprising appearance on the single comes from Neil Kaplan, the veteran actor who voiced Naruto villain Madara in the English dub of the anime [2]. Instead of sampling old dialogue from the television broadcast, the production features fresh lines that Kaplan recorded specifically for this new release [6]. His deep, gravelly voice enters between verses like an ominous monologue that gives the song an unmistakable cinematic feel [7].
Kaplan growls out an interlude that captures the tragic core of the character: “Power chose me, for I once loved those who hate me / Blood spilled by those I care about greatly, but all you who’s left shall now obey me”. Kaplan recorded the original spoken lines to bring the villain’s warped moral philosophy into the recording session [2]. Reviewer Quincy at Ratings Game Music wrote that Kaplan’s spoken contribution pushes the villainous concept further and gives the song the weight of a dark horror film [8].
Anime followers noticed Kaplan right away, turning his voice into a major talking point across online fan communities [6]. It isn’t every day that a major American rap release hires the official English dub voice to anchor its concept [7]. The cameo roots the record in authentic fandom, and listeners praised the team for respecting the source material [6].
Hideyoshi and EZ Mil Anchor the Multilingual Flow
To make the cross-cultural link complete, EZ Mil invited Tokyo underground artist Hideyoshi to perform the song’s hook in Japanese [2]. Hideyoshi delivers rhythmic Nihongo lines over the dark instrumental, questioning the reality of conflict while warning listeners that foolish attempts to fight back won’t succeed against their collective skill [4]. EZ Mil backs him up by sliding into Japanese phrases himself before returning to English with rapid triplet patterns. EZ Mil grew up immersed in the world of Naruto and considers Hideyoshi his favorite Japanese artist, so the collaboration unites creative scenes from both sides of the Pacific [2].
EZ Mil has long enjoyed video games and martial arts between studio sessions, particularly fighting titles in the FGC genre like Tekken. That appreciation for Japanese media mirrors gaming culture, such as the Kamisato Ayaka character spotlight in Genshin Impact, where distinct voice acting and detailed character lore captivate international audiences across various platforms. On MADARA, EZ Mil and Eminem channel the ruthless aura of Naruto villain Madara while mocking opponents who try to personify anime heroes without putting in the training [2].
In his verse, EZ Mil sneers at rivals who try to act tough: “All of a sudden you wack spitters wanna rap like you been in the dojo,” he rhymes, before asking how they plan to personify Gojo [2]. He shifts smoothly between energetic English bars and quick Japanese slang [5]. It’s a technical display that proves he won’t be boxed into a single musical style [2].
Eminem Delivers Rapid Rhymes with Shady Energy
Arriving toward the end of the song, Eminem delivers a long, dizzying verse packed with internal rhymes, wordplay, and memories of his journey from local open mics to global stages [4]. Writers at DancehallMag observed that his rapid vocal delivery recalls the sharp energy of his early Slim Shady persona. It’s a surprising choice given that he laid that alter ego to rest on his 2024 album, but the dark aesthetic of MADARA provides an ideal backdrop for his biting humor [7].
Eminem uses his verse to reflect on his unlikely rise from Detroit, remembering how he once thought Dr. Dre was pulling his leg when the producer offered to sign him to Aftermath. He takes aim at critics who wish he’d leave the rap game and reminds listeners that he has no plans to quit [4]. Eminem posted a teaser clip online that spotlights his defiant perspective on rap rivalries: “Out of all the rappers I’ve slain who have come at me I never felt guilt, cuz it wasn’t murder, just suicide ‘Cause really they all got themselves killed” [3].
Ratings Game Music gave the track a 3.5 out of 5 rating, noting that Eminem doesn’t sound rusty at all during his first official verse of 2026 [8]. His tongue-twisting delivery keeps listeners rewinding lines to catch complex rhymes about spinal curves and Hollywood directors [4]. He makes it clear that he isn’t backing down from any vocal battles in the near future [5].
The Shady Records Partnership Continues to Grow
The new single marks another chapter in a fruitful creative partnership that began in 2023. Eminem discovered EZ Mil after seeing his self-produced music video for “Up Down (Step & Walk)” in February 2023 and shared it with Dr. Dre during a private listening session. On July 26, 2023, EZ Mil signed a joint deal with Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records, entering a roster that once shaped hip-hop icons like 50 Cent [2].
The artists first teamed up on “Realest” in August 2023, which reached No. 3 on Billboard’s Rap Digital Song Sales chart as part of EZ Mil’s album DU4LI7Y: REDUX. A year later, EZ Mil contributed English and Tagalog verses to “Head Honcho” on Eminem’s chart-topping record The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce). That song reached No. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the first song with Tagalog lyrics to land on the chart [2].
Born on July 27, 1998, in Olongapo City, Philippines, EZ Mil first gained international attention in 2021 when his performance of “Panalo (Trap Cariñosa)” on the Wish USA Bus generated over 88 million views on YouTube. In July 2026, he shared the three-track EP 3RD WRLD VOL. 1, featuring the Dr. Dre-mixed track “2200,” and fans are now awaiting 3RD WRLD VOL. 2 while he leads his own FFP Records label [2]. As MADARA proves, his global vision keeps expanding with backing from rap’s biggest heavyweights [6].
- ONLINE NEWS Anime News Network. (2026, October 11). Naruto’s Penultimate Villain Madara Inspires Song by Rapper Eminem. [Article Link]
- WEBSITE MUZIKSCRIBE. (2026, October 10). EZ Mil Drops ‘MADARA’ with Eminem Featuring Hideyoshi and Naruto Voice Actor Neil Kaplan. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Sitgi Editorial. (2026, October 11). Eminem and EZ Mil Release Song Inspired by Naruto’s Madara Uchiha. Sitgi News. [Article Link]
- WEBSITE Genius. (2026, October 8). Ez Mil & Eminem (Ft. Hideyoshi & Neil Kaplan) – MADARA. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Roque, N. (2026, October 11). Ez Mil, Eminem Drop Naruto-Inspired Track ‘Madara’. GMA News Online. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS DancehallMag Team. (2026, October 11). Ez Mil and Eminem Reunite on ‘Madara,’ a Track Built Around the Naruto Villain. DancehallMag. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS DancehallMag Team. (2026, October 10). Eminem Revives Slim Shady Flow on Anime-Inspired EZ Mil Collab ‘MADARA’. DancehallMag. [Article Link]
- WEBSITE Quincy. (2026, October 9). EZ Mil and Eminem Unleash Relentless Bars on ‘MADARA’. Ratings Game Music. [Article Link]
