Thread by @Variety

Dwayne @TheRock Johnson Makes Historic Rap Debut (EXCLUSIVE) bit.ly/3oGTW2x

Dwayne @TheRock Johnson has conquered the box office, the wrestling ring, TV ratings and tequila sales — now, is he about to dominate the charts?

Johnson’s about to make history with his rap debut on @TechN9ne’s new single, “Face Off.” bit.ly/3oGTW2x

“A lot of my friends who are hip-hop artists — like big names — I’ve been asked a few times. But it just has to feel right,” Johnson says. “When Tech texted me, I knew I would make this work. We’re aligned, just in terms of our work ethic and desire.” bit.ly/3oGTW2x

“[Tech N9ne] said something that I really appreciated,” says Johnson. “Basically, ‘There could never be enough food in this room or on this set that could make me full because I always want to be hungry.’ I just love that.” bit.ly/3oGTW2x

That sense of work ethic is the message of “Face Off.” Johnson's verse — which he wrote himself — includes the lyrics, “It’s about drive. It’s about power. We stay hungry.” bit.ly/3oGTW2x

“This is going to get people pumped up to lift weights, pumped up for fights, pumped up for the game,” says Tech N9ne. “And what better person? Not Conor McGregor. I don’t know him. I know @TheRock.” bit.ly/3oGTW2x

When Tech N9ne first reached out to Johnson, the initial ask was just to have him recite spoken words to close out the song.

Johnson had a bigger vision: “He said he wanted to go fast like us. After what he did on #Moana, I could see he had the rhythm.” bit.ly/3oGTW2x

“One take,” Johnson says. “I was drinking Teremana, so I had already been a bit lit and was ready to go. We sent it to Tech and his engineers and the text I got back from Tech, in all capital letters, was ‘F—k yes!!!!'” bit.ly/3oGTW2x

Tech N9ne jokes that he’s not quite sure how Johnson fit in the vocal booth: “He’s in his #BlackAdam build. Have you seen him? Look how big he is in our video. Look how cut he is! He wasn’t that cut two years ago.” bit.ly/3oGTW2x

Now that Johnson has made his rap debut, is a music career in his future?

“The direct answer is no,” says Johnson. “But I did see an opportunity here to create a song that really inspired and motivated me to push for more and fight for more.” bit.ly/3oGTW2x

But never say never.

“If the song is right and if the collaboration feels real and authentic, I would love that,” Johnson says. “I would love to do a repeat with Tech N9ne and Strange Music.” bit.ly/3oGTW2x

“If I had the opportunity to collaborate with another artist out there — hip-hop artists, blues artists, outlaw country artists — then let’s talk and let’s figure it out,” says Johnson. bit.ly/3oGTW2x

“If I could rap about the right words that feel real and authentic to me, then I’ll be happy to break out that Teremana, take a few big swigs and jump back into the studio,” he says. bit.ly/3oGTW2x

“These days, the money is not the most important thing. The fame, no. That’s not the important thing,” adds Johnson. “Honestly, it just comes down to passion, having fun — and are people going to enjoy it? That’s it. That’s the bottom line.” bit.ly/3oGTW2x

Watch the music video for @TheRock’s historic rap debut “Face Off” bit.ly/3oGTW2x