Krizz Kaliko Speaks on Eminem’s Reaction to His “Speedom” Verse

In a recent appearance on BOSS TALK 101, Krizz Kaliko took a trip down memory lane to discuss one of the most technically impressive collaborations in hip-hop history: “Speedom (WWC2).” The track, which features Tech N9ne and Eminem, remains a high-water mark for the “chopper” style of rap. During the interview, Krizz reflected on the surreal experience of having a legend like Eminem acknowledge his lyrical contributions, specifically a line that could have easily been misinterpreted in a less respectful climate.

One of the most meaningful moments for Krizz was seeing Eminem’s genuine appreciation for his craft. He recalled a specific instance on Sway In The Morning interview where Slim Shady showed him love. “In the song, I rapped: ‘I said the purpose to pimp a pen / And reverse the conditions I’m livin’ in / And do bigger numbers than Eminem.’ If you ever watch it, there’s is an interview with him on Sway In The Morning, where he was trying to rap my verse. And I’m like, ‘this is Eminem! And he’s trying to rap my verse?’ That was an honor, man. And he liked that part,” Krizz shared.

Interestingly, the name-drop wasn’t a calculated move to get Eminem’s attention for a feature. In fact, the Detroit icon wasn’t even part of the original plan for the song when those bars were penned. Krizz explained: “I did that verse an we hadn’t even talked about him being on the song. He wasn’t slated for the song. That was just in my rhyme. And then, he was all of a sudden on the song so I always like ‘what’s he gonna say.’ That line is no diss. I just said I wanna be as big as Eminem. He heard it and he loved that part.”

This interaction highlights the mutual respect that exists within the elite tier of technical rap. Eminem is known for being a dedicated student of the game who frequently dissects the rhyme schemes of his peers. For him to not only approve of a line mentioning his commercial dominance but to actually attempt to mimic the complex cadence of Krizz’s verse speaks volumes about Kaliko’s standing. It turned a moment of high-stakes ambition into a definitive badge of honor for the Strange Music veteran.

The “Speedom” verse itself is a masterclass in breath control and internal rhyming, which are hallmarks of both the Strange Music and Shady Records camps. By clarifying that the line about “bigger numbers” was purely about personal aspiration, Krizz underscored the competitive yet communal spirit of hip-hop. It wasn’t about a challenge; it was about aiming for the highest possible ceiling in the industry—a sentiment that Eminem clearly resonated with.

To understand the weight of this collaboration, one has to look at the background of the track. Released in 2015 on Tech N9ne’s Special Effects album, “Speedom (WWC2)” served as the official sequel to the massive “Worldwide Choppers.” The song became legendary not just for its blistering speed, but for the rare nature of the guest appearance; Eminem reportedly provided his verse for free as a “favor for a favor” because of his immense respect for Tech N9ne’s independent hustle. The result was a lyrical explosion that remains a staple for fans of elite lyricism.

Eminem Krizz Kaliko