The latest Stans trailer pulls back the curtain on Eminem’s routine and his defences. A walk through his record studio gives a rare glimpse into both his creative process and his state of mind.

As the camera trails down a hallway past a large portrait of the late Big Proof in a heavy gold frame, Eminem reflects on the writing habits that keep his creativity sharp after decades in the game. Referring to one of his many rhyme books, he says:

Every time I write, there are different stages of it. That’s one of the reasons I keep the book now, and I never get writer’s block. I’m always able to go back in my book and have unlimited ideas.

He adds that he has a technique that serves two purposes: creative freedom and security:

Sometimes I just write my rhyming words down and not the stuff in between, so it can’t be put together if someone finds it.

That last line might sound a little paranoid, but it tracks. Eminem has dealt with leaks, hacks, and plenty of people trying to pick apart his legacy. For him, keeping things coded is just part of the job.