The Death of Slim Shady - Eminem returns with twelfth studio album
Eminem (51), with the civilian name Marshall Bruce Mathers, is back with a new work. The US Rapper is releasing his twelfth studio album "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)" (in English: "The Death of Slim Shady (Mercy Shot)"). He generated buzz for the new record with two single releases, which in the lead-up featured a morbid preview.
Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, and raised in Detroit in the suburb of Warren, the musician references his Alter Ego Slim Shady on his new album. He created this character through his EP "Slim Shady EP" from 1997 and his second studio album "The Slim Shady EP" from 1999, which he produced with Dr. Dre (59). Slim Shady served as an outlet for his frustration and anger towards the world. The album brought him hits like "My Name Is".
Promo Cameos and a Chainsaw
In the song "Houdini", which he released at the end of May with an extravagantly produced video featuring Cameos from 50 Cent (49), Dr. Dre, or Snoop Dogg (52), Eminem seemingly takes leave of his Alter Ego from the 1990s and uses the opportunity to vent in sharp text lines against music colleagues and the rest of the world. However, his statements are so enigmatic and contradictory that their true meaning often remains unclear. And who is the target of the diss tracks - Eminem or Slim Shady? The self-deprecating and humorous nature of the diss tracks won over fans. "Houdini" debuted at number one on the Billboard Global 200 and Streaming Songs Charts, while it debuted at number two on the Hot 100.
The second promotional single "Tobey" was first teased on social media on June 29 with a short teaser video showing the return of Slim Shady's Hockey Mask. "Tobey" featuring Big Sean & Babytron was released on July 2. In the video by Cole Bennett (28), Eminem misses his Slim-Shady-Alter-Ego a bloody end with a chainsaw.
Horror Clip and Emotional Tones
The album announcement was also bloody. In a short horror clip, a seemingly lifeless baby is born in a delivery room. Only after several harsh slaps on the bottom from the doctor does it come to life. The mother rejoices, saying to the baby in her arms: "You're the little devil baby with the forked tongue, that always bullied me." The baby opens its pitch-black eyes, and devil horns and sharp, demonic teeth grow out. The clip seems to depict the lyrics "little devil baby with the forked tongue, that hangs out" from the single "Houdini".
The album consists of 19 tracks and, in addition to the two promotional singles, offers tracks with significant titles like "Evil", "Lucifer", or "Antichrist". Eminem announced publicly on a recent Thursday: "Public Service Announcement: 'Death of Slim Shady' is a concept album, so some songs may not make sense if you don't listen to them in the correct order." On the album, there is also a continuation of "Guilty Conscience" from 1999 with Dr. Dre from the album "The Slim Shady EP". "Guilty Conscience 2" is not a feature, but Eminem enlisted other artists such as Skylar Grey (38), Jelly Roll (39), or Bizarre (48) from D12 for various songs.
Eminem also sings more emotional tones and dedicates songs like "Temporary" or "Somebody Save Me" to his relationship with daughter Hailie Jade (28). "USA Today" assesses "Temporary," which features recordings of his little daughter at the time: "It's the most memorable song on 'The Death of Slim Shady' because it allows Eminem to put aside his mask and show his vulnerability - something that's not often heard elsewhere on the album."
- Eminem's comeback is marked by his twelfth studio album titled "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)", which is set to challenge listeners with its raw and enigmatic lyrics.
- The album features two promotional singles, "Houdini" and "Tobey", the latter featuring Big Sean & Babytron, which have generated buzz with their bold themes and controversial content.
- In the music video for "Houdini", Eminem appears to bid farewell to his 1990s alter ego Slim Shady, using sharp language to address music industry peers and the world at large.
- The album's horror-themed promotion includes a chilling music video for "Houdini" and a teaser video for "Tobey" that showcases Slim Shady's hockey mask and violent end.
- In a shocking and symbolic horror clip, a baby with devilish features is born, seemingly representing the arrival of the "little devil baby with the forked tongue" mentioned in "Houdini".
- The 19-track album features titles like "Evil", "Lucifer", and "Antichrist", hinting at the album's dark themes and conceptual nature.
- Eminem demonstrates his emotional depth in songs like "Temporary" and "Somebody Save Me", dedicating them to his relationship with his daughter Hailie Jade, showcasing a vulnerability rarely seen in his music.
