For 10 years, the world waited for a ‘Bad Meets Evil’ EP that should have happened, but didn’t due to unforeseen circumstances out of both Em and Royce’s control. Nearly a decade later, the duo returns with new fresh ideas and quickly jumps on the ball for an upcoming release date. However, during the course of recording, several songs from the album leaked as they would have eventually. Interestingly enough, a certain track that leaked featured the talents of Bruno Mars entitled ‘Lighters.’ The two artists faced criticism from fans for going out of character with a track they may not have done a few years ago.

Royce responded to the criticism during an interview with BootlegKev.com about the reasoning behind ‘Lighters.’

These were his comments:

‘Lighters,’ the song with Bruno Mars, that’s basically just us showing versatility. We didn’t want to make it too one-dimensional and we didn’t realize it until towards the end of the project where we were like, let’s make one or two personal joints. We got another one called ‘Take From Me’ where it’s kind of personal, and the rest of it is just us rapping. We gave one or two songs to where we showed that’s not all that we can do, because obviously, it’s reaching a bigger audience than I ever reached.”

The Detroit emcee continued to explain that it wasn’t meant as a snub to his hardcore fans, but it was something him and Em needed to do to prove to themselves that it could be done:

“I don’t want that audience to think that I can only do one thing. It shows versatility on my end and it was a good way to set up Slaughterhouse. My core fans, the people who’ve been following me, the bulk of the album they’re going to be into. That’s what they want to hear me do. If I got one or two songs on there, of course they’re like ‘Aw you shouldn’t have did that.’ But you can’t please everybody.”

At press time, ‘Bad Meets Evil – Hell: The Sequel’ is in stores now.

Keep posted to 24hourhiphop.com for more updated news on Eminem and Royce Da’5’9.