“Cha-ching”: The reason why Havoc is still getting paid for Eminem’s ‘8 Mile’
Havoc is one of the most talented figures in hip-hop, both as a rapper and producer. He’s known for his work as one half of Mobb Deep alongside the late Prodigy, while also producing songs for Biggie Smalls, Nas, Raekwon, 50 Cent, Kanye West and other genre greats. But of all the royalties he’s received in his career, Eminem’s 8 Mile is still among the most rewarding.
The Detroit rapper’s semi-autobiographical movie was released in 2002. Em made his film debut as Jimmy Smith Jr, also known as B-Rabbit, attempting to launch a hip-hop career. The movie was a box office success, grossing $242.9million off a $41million budget. The soundtrack is quadruple platinum, with Eminem’s song ‘Lose Yourself‘ winning ‘Best Original Song’ at the 75th Academy Awards.
Although it didn’t appear on the soundtrack, one of the most memorable songs from 8 Mile is Mobb Deep’s ‘Shook Ones, Pt. II’, with B-Rabbit rapping over the instrumental in an iconic scene. During an interview with HipHopDX, Havoc shared his initial reaction to the scene and opened up about still getting paid for the placement.
“I mean, I was really taken back, because I didn’t even know if Eminem was a fan,” he said. “So to hear that, I found out he was a fan, and then the cha-ching sound went off in my head. It bought this Fendi sweater.”
‘Shook Ones, Pt. II‘ appeared on Mobb Deep’s The Infamous album in 1995. The song is widely considered one of the best hip-hop songs ever. When asked if he knew they had a hit on their hands, Havoc replied, “I mean, Prodigy definitely knew that because I made the beat in my crib in the projects or whatever. I didn’t think too much of it. Prodigy came upstairs and said: ‘What the hell is this?’ I said, ‘Whatever,’ and he said, ‘No,’ and then we made ‘Shook Ones.’”
Havoc collaborated with Eminem in 2010 on ‘Untitled’ from his Recovery album. Speaking on working with Em, he said, “I mean, the chemistry was… real smooth. That’s just one word I can use. I’m trying to get even more placements, as big as the Eminem one. So just look out for me and my name to be in the album’s credits, ’cause I’m comin’ for it.”
Prodigy also had fond memories of Marshall Mathers. During an interview with Complex, he recalled, “We [Mobb Deep] did a deal with 50 Cent, and we went on tour together. Me and 50 were in the dressing room talking business, and Em walked passed the room. I didn’t pay no mind; I just kept talking to 50. Then, all of a sudden, I see him come back, and he was like, ‘Yo P, let me holla at you.’
“So I got up and went into the hallway to talk to him and he was like, ‘Yo man, I apologise. I know we’ve been together on tour for mad long. I didn’t even get a chance to talk to you the whole tour.’ I was like, ‘Nah, it’s all good, my n*gga.’ He was just showing love and shit.”