One Ring

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The One Ring was forged by the Dark Lord Sauron in the fires of Mount Doom to rule the other Rings of Power and dominate Middle-earth. It was lost for centuries, eventually found by the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, and later became the central object of the quest in The Lord of the Rings, where it was ultimately destroyed.

In Their Own Story

The story told in Revival is one of real-world conflict and recovery. It begins with the viral freestyle 'The Storm' at the 2017 BET Hip Hop Awards, where Eminem criticized President Trump. The album's release was teased via a fake drug campaign called 'Revival,' referencing his own songs like 'Lose Yourself.' The narrative arc moves through tracks that sample Joan Jett or reference horror films, but the core plot remains grounded in the rapper's life: an overdose in 2007 described as a turning point where he considered quitting rap. From this low point, 'Arose' depicts him finding strength to continue living and pursuing sobriety. The album concludes with high hopes for his current work, followed by Kamikaze in 2018, which served as a reaction to the criticism Revival received.

Reader's Guide

Fans seeking the One Ring will find no entry point in Eminem's catalog. Instead, the source highlights 'Walk on Water' featuring Beyoncé as the lead single released November 10, 2017, debuting at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album features 19 tracks including an interlude and appearances from X Ambassadors, Pink, and Kehlani. Producers include Dr. Dre, Rick Rubin, Mr. Porter, Emile, Just Blaze, Alex da Kid, Fredwreck, and DJ Khalil. To understand the 'power' in this universe, one must look to the lyrics addressing civil liberties or the personal letters to his daughter Hailie in 'Castle,' rather than magical artifacts. The album debuted at number one in the US and UK, earning platinum certification in both regions despite mixed critical reception.

Did You Know?

• The One Ring was created by Sauron in the Second Age of Middle-earth.
• The Ring grants invisibility to mortals but corrupts its wearer over time.
• It was destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom by the hobbit Frodo Baggins.
• The Ring's inscription, in the Black Speech of Mordor, reads 'One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.'
• The Ring was cut from Sauron's hand by Isildur at the end of the Second Age.