First Listen: Eminem Gets “Phenomenal” For The First Single From Jake Gyllenhaal’s Boxing Drama ‘Southpaw’

What does Eminem have to do with the boxing drama “Southpaw?” The film, written by “Sons of Anarchy” creator/exec producer Kurt Sutter, was originally going to be a starring vehicle for the rapper/sometimes actor. Sutter was deeply influenced by Eminem and his music inspired the screenplay, particularly the comeback album Recovery. “[Eminem] shared so much of his personal struggle in this raw and very honest album, one that I connected with on a lot of levels.

He is very interested in the boxing genre, and it seemed like an apt metaphor, because his own life has been a brawl,” Sutter said in an 2010 interview.

The rapper eventually dropped out of the project to focus on music and Jake Gyllenaal took over the role (you can see the first trailer for “Southpaw” here). But Marshall Mathers is still involved peripherally in the movie, having executive-produced the soundtrack and recorded “Phenomenal,” the first single from the soundtrack.

It’s a hard-hitting track replete with tongue twisters, and it’s pretty much what you’d expect from Eminem. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, “Southpaw” centers on a fast-rising welterweight boxer (Gyllenhaal) whose ascent towards the title is complicated by a family tragedy.

The entire “Southpaw” soundtrack will be available via Shady Records on the same day as the movie hits theaters, July 24th. Listen below, check out a few new photos, and get pumped for “Southpaw.” [Vulture]