Eminem Releases New Naruto-Inspired Song “MADARA” With EZ Mil, Featuring the Voice of Madara Uchiha
Eminem has returned with a new collaboration that brings together hip-hop and Japanese anime, joining Shady Records artist EZ Mil on “MADARA,” a track inspired by one of the most powerful villains in the Naruto franchise.
Released Friday, October 9, 2026, the single features Eminem, Filipino-American rapper EZ Mil, Tokyo-based artist Hideyoshi and Neil Kaplan, the voice actor who portrayed Madara Uchiha in the English-language dub of Naruto: Shippuden.
The collaboration goes beyond simply borrowing the name of a popular anime character. Kaplan contributes his recognizable voice to the recording, while the production incorporates a dark, confrontational atmosphere that reflects the villain’s reputation for power, destruction and domination.
Released through Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records, “MADARA” also marks another chapter in Eminem’s ongoing partnership with EZ Mil, an artist he helped bring to a larger international audience.
Eminem and EZ Mil Bring the Naruto Universe Into Hip-Hop
The song takes its name from Madara Uchiha, one of the central antagonists of Naruto: Shippuden, the globally successful Japanese anime series based on Masashi Kishimoto’s manga.
Within the series, Madara is a legendary member of the Uchiha clan whose extraordinary abilities and ambitions make him one of the most formidable opponents faced by Naruto Uzumaki and his allies.
His character has become particularly popular among anime fans for his overwhelming strength, commanding presence and philosophical views about war, peace and the nature of reality.
Those characteristics provide the foundation for the new single’s aggressive tone.
Rather than attempting to retell Madara’s entire story, the artists use the character’s identity as a creative backdrop for verses built around lyrical dominance, confrontation and technical ability.
The production combines ominous piano melodies, heavy bass and rapid percussion, giving the record a cinematic quality reminiscent of a villain’s introduction.
EZ Mil delivers fast-paced verses that incorporate anime references and multilingual performances, while Hideyoshi adds a Japanese-language dimension to the recording.
Eminem follows with a technically dense verse featuring the rapid-fire delivery and elaborate rhyme patterns that have defined much of his career.
The Actual Voice of Madara Uchiha Appears on the Track
One of the most distinctive elements of “MADARA” is the participation of Neil Kaplan, whose performance as Madara Uchiha helped introduce the character to English-speaking anime audiences.
Kaplan contributes a spoken interlude to the song, bringing an authentic connection to the fictional character that inspired its title.
His involvement distinguishes the release from the many unofficial anime-inspired rap songs and fan edits circulating online.
For longtime Naruto viewers, hearing the actual English-language voice of Madara alongside Eminem represents an unusual crossover between two major entertainment communities.
Anime and hip-hop have shared cultural influences for decades, with rappers frequently referencing Japanese animation in their lyrics, artwork, merchandise and music videos.
However, collaborations involving established recording artists and performers directly associated with iconic anime characters remain comparatively uncommon.
The combination of Kaplan’s voice, Hideyoshi’s Japanese-language contributions and Eminem’s international reputation gives the record a broader identity than a conventional rap collaboration.
Eminem Returns to His Aggressive Slim Shady Delivery
Eminem’s appearance has attracted attention for its resemblance to the aggressive vocal approach associated with his earlier Slim Shady recordings.
Throughout his verse, the Detroit rapper uses intricate rhyme structures and a confrontational delivery while addressing familiar subjects, including public criticism, censorship, racial identity and previous conflicts within hip-hop.
His performance contrasts with the themes of his 2024 album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), which explored his relationship with the controversial alter ego that helped make him famous.
Although that album centered on the symbolic death of Slim Shady, the new collaboration demonstrates that Eminem has not abandoned the technical and theatrical elements associated with the character.
The rapper also receives a co-production credit on “MADARA,” extending his involvement beyond simply recording a guest verse.
The result is a track that combines EZ Mil’s anime-inspired concept with Eminem’s established reputation for dense lyricism and provocative wordplay.
The Song Marks Eminem and EZ Mil’s Third Major Collaboration
“ MADARA” continues a creative relationship that began before EZ Mil became widely recognized as one of the newer artists associated with Eminem’s record label.
EZ Mil, born Ezekiel Miller, gained international attention through his multilingual performances and ability to move between English, Tagalog and other musical influences.
His technical skill eventually attracted the attention of Eminem and Dr. Dre, leading to a recording agreement involving Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records.
The two rappers first collaborated on “Realest,” released in 2023.
That record introduced many Eminem listeners to EZ Mil’s lyrical style and marked an important step in his relationship with the Detroit superstar.
Their partnership continued in 2024 when EZ Mil appeared on “Head Honcho,” a track from Eminem’s album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).
On that song, EZ Mil delivered verses in English and Tagalog, emphasizing the international influences that distinguish his music.
“MADARA” represents their third major released collaboration and further demonstrates Eminem’s continued involvement in developing the younger artist’s career.
EZ Mil Combines Filipino, Japanese and American Hip-Hop Influences
Although Eminem’s participation has generated considerable attention, “MADARA” is fundamentally an EZ Mil release.
The rapper has frequently incorporated his Filipino background, multilingual abilities and personal interests into his music.
His enthusiasm for anime, particularly Naruto, provides an important part of the creative inspiration behind the new single.
The inclusion of Hideyoshi, a rapper associated with Tokyo’s hip-hop scene, strengthens the record’s Japanese connection while allowing EZ Mil to expand beyond the conventional American rap collaboration.
The single follows EZ Mil’s July 2026 project 3RD WRLD VOL. 1, which continued his exploration of cultural identity, personal ambition and technical lyricism.
A follow-up project, 3RD WRLD VOL. 2, is also expected, with “MADARA” serving as an early release connected to the next phase of his music.
An official release date for the full follow-up project has not been announced.
An Anime-Inspired Visual Accompanies the Release
The artists also released an official lyric video incorporating anime-inspired imagery.
The visuals feature animated representations of Eminem and EZ Mil, including battle sequences that draw on the exaggerated combat style associated with Japanese animation.
In one sequence, an animated Eminem is depicted wielding a sword while confronting enemies alongside EZ Mil.
The imagery reinforces the song’s central concept, placing the rappers in a fictional combat setting that mirrors the competitive nature of their lyrics.
The presentation also gives the release appeal beyond traditional hip-hop audiences, particularly among fans familiar with the Naruto universe.
While some listeners have praised the crossover concept and the involvement of Kaplan, online reactions to the song’s production and vocal delivery have been mixed.
That divided response has not prevented the collaboration from generating discussion among both Eminem fans and anime enthusiasts.
Eminem Continues Releasing Music While Supporting Shady Records Artists
The release comes as Eminem continues to balance his own recording career with collaborations involving artists associated with his label.
Since releasing The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) in 2024, the rapper has remained active through selected guest appearances and production work.
His continued involvement with EZ Mil reflects a longstanding pattern in his career of supporting emerging artists through collaborations, label partnerships and public exposure.
For EZ Mil, recording another track with Eminem represents an opportunity to introduce his music to listeners who may not yet be familiar with his solo catalog.
The addition of Hideyoshi and Kaplan also broadens the potential audience, connecting American rap fans with Japanese hip-hop and anime culture.
Rather than treating anime as a passing visual reference, the song incorporates it into the title, featured performances and overall presentation.
“MADARA” Is Available Now
“MADARA” is available on major streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify, with an official lyric video released through EZ Mil’s YouTube presence.
The single arrives as an example of the increasingly visible relationship between hip-hop and anime, two entertainment cultures that have influenced one another for years.
For Eminem, it is another opportunity to showcase the aggressive delivery and intricate rhyme schemes that helped establish his reputation.
For EZ Mil, it represents a creative project that combines his musical influences with one of the most recognizable names in hip-hop.
And for Naruto fans, the inclusion of Neil Kaplan means the collaboration features more than a tribute to Madara Uchiha.
It brings the villain’s actual English-language voice into a major rap release.






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