Eminem activates the time machine
On his twelfth album, Eminem brings his famous Alter Ego "Slim Shady" back to life and delivers corresponding provocative texts. However, on "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace)", the 51-year-old also uses serious tones.
Slim Shady is back! After a good 20-year hiatus, Eminem resurrects his famous Alter Ego. On his new album "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace)", the rapper engages in a musical dialogue with the character that brought him his first major successs. Musically, Eminem also throws the time machine into the mix.
This is evident in the video for the lead single "Houdini", a tribute to the music video of his hit "Without Me" from 2002. The theme of the video is: how would the provocative "Slim Shady" look in 2024?
Throughout the album, there are frequent dialogues between the two characters, in which it becomes clear that Eminem is trying to get rid of his Alter Ego because it is no longer in line with the times and threatens his career with its provocative texts. In the song "Trouble", "Slim Shady" asks the rapper "Are you gonna cancel me, yeah?" ("Are you gonna cancel me, yes?"). However, he doesn't let that happen and takes more and more control over Eminem, like a mischievous demon.
Song for Daughter Hailie
However, the album is not just full of calculated taboo-breaks. The song "Temporary", which Eminem wrote for his daughter Hailie, stands out in particular. And even in the last song "Somebody Save Me", Eminem addresses his daughters and raps about his medication addiction and how he left them in the lurch because of it.
Rap-wise, Eminem is still above any doubt with this album, and "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace)" is also heavily produced by Dr. Dre. Thematically, the album seems at first like a big statement against the modern zeitgeist, "Cancel Culture" and Generation Z. But upon closer listening, it becomes clear: all that is a metaphor for the musician's addiction. Just as he fights against "Slim Shady", he cannot prevent her from taking control of his life and destroying it.
Provocation and seriousness - Eminem can do both
In the end, Eminem uses his twelfth album to resurrect his old successful recipe. After all, on his successful albums "The Marshall Mathers LP" and "Encore", there were songs with provocative texts like "The Real Slim Shady" or "Just Lose It" next to very serious songs like "Stan" or "Mockingbird".
At the end, Eminem does not put his Alter Ego "Slim Shady" to rest with "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace)". Instead, he raps about his own death: "As they lower me in my coffin, I feel the tears all falling down on my cheek" - "As they lower me into my coffin, I can feel the tears falling down on my cheeks."
This new album by Eminem, titled "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace)", not only features his iconic Alter Ego but also includes a track dedicated to his daughter Hailie, showcasing his versatility in Music and Rap genres. The album's lead single, "Houdini", incorporates elements from his early '00s hit "Without Me", further demonstrating his love for Entertainment and Nostalgia.
While Slim Shady's provocative texts continue to make an appearance in his music, Eminem also uses serious tones to discuss his personal struggles, such as addiction, in songs like "Somebody Save Me." This fusion of entertainment, rap, and personal storytelling is a testament to Eminem's ability to excel in both provocative and serious music.
