Jessie Reyez talks about her new album.
Jessie Reyez recently released his new album ‘BEFORE LOVE CAME TO KILL US‘ and for the promo run, she did a new interview with Genius’ VP of Content Strategy Rob Markman through a video call. In the interview, Jessie Reyez talks about releasing her album during the coronavirus pandemic, content on her album and much more. At around 31:00, they also had a long conversation about Eminem which you can check out below.
Rob Markman: Finally, I wanted to talk to you about this guy that’s on your album, a song called ‘Coffin.’ It’s this guy, maybe the people have heard of him, this guy Eminem. (Rob Markam jokingly) This guy Marshall Mathers.
Jessie Reyez: Up and coming rapper? (laughs)
Rob Markman: Yeah, yeah, he’s a new rapper. You ever see like sometimes, I forget, I think it was when Kanye had did something with Paul MacCartney and Rihanna, and people were like, ‘Oh, who’s this new artist Paul McCartney?’
Jessie Reyez: The audacity
Rob Markman: So year, you worked with this new guy, Eminem. But when I listen to ‘Good Guy‘ and ‘Nice Guy‘ from his album, and I listen to ‘Coffin.’ It all kind of centers around this theme of the dark side of relationships. When y’all get together, y’all got a real interesting way about looking at love.
Jessie Reyez: Yeah, he lives in the same place I do.
Rob Markman: When you start to collaborate, is there a conversation that precedes it, or is it just this unsaid thing and you guys go in and create? Was there a long heart to heart about the sh*t that you all have been through? Because we hear his stories too throughout his discography, so we know what he’s been through. Is it as long and drawn out as a conversation or you guys just kind of go in the booth and do your parts and it just makes sense.
Jessie Reyaz: I’m lucky, it’s just energy. It’s just chemistry. I’m blessed that way with him, and it was apparent in the first session. And I was nervous as hell for that first session. When we made ‘Good Guy,’ was the first time I met him was the first time we worked. So when I walked in and mind you, I’ve been really fortunate to work with legendary people in my life. So far, I’ve been really fortunate, and there are only two times in my life where I got to shoot, and that was one of them. And my managers will tell you, they’ll be like, ‘We heard you exhale when you hugged him.‘ And I was like, ‘Oh, God.‘ (laughs) Like, ‘F**k.‘ So I was nervous, and then I was nervous too because I’ve said this before, sometimes inspiration will come quick. I remember praying before the session and being like, ‘Lord, please let it come quickly today. Let it just come in. Let it come. Let it come quick. God, please.‘ And we got in there and we talked a bit and Paul’s in there too and my manager’s in there too, and we’re playing each other music just to catch each other’s vibe and then he was like, ‘Okay, I got this one thing.‘ And then he played it for me. And I was like, ‘Okay,’ and I shut my eyes And then it started coming out, and I was like, ‘Yes.’ But it’s just vibe and then we obviously made the video together in Detroit, which was mad fun. We’ve been wanting to work together again since. So then when I had ‘coffin,’ it just made sense. We sent it over. Then he was like ‘yeah, okay.’ It wasn’t until I had the vocals that I was like, ‘Holy sh*t, Eminem is about to be on my debut album.‘ I didn’t believe it.
In the face of a world where people are so prone to scrutinize a hair that’s out of place, where people are prone to scrutinize someone whose opinion goes very much against the grain… and you don’t have to agree with everything he says, but he’s been fearless forever, I got to work with that legend.
The album was preceded by the songs “Figures,” “Imported” featuring 6lack, and “Love in the Dark,” as well as the promotional track “Ankles.” On April 9, 2020, a deluxe edition with three more tracks was made available digitally. On September 25, 2020, a super deluxe edition of the album was published.
Check out the full interview below and for Eminem’s part skip to 31:00.
