new album - The Death of Slim Shady
After almost 20 years of hiatus, Eminem's famous alter ego "Slim Shady" is back. On his new album "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)", the 51-year-old 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 was 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 - how would the provocative "Slim Shady" arrive in the year 2024? - is also reflected musically throughout the album. For instance, in the song "Habits", where "Slim Shady" refuses to be impressed by Political Correctness and instead raps about "All these pronouns I can't remember. They or them, theirs? His or him, hers?".
Eminem vs. Slim Shady
Slim Shady cannot be dissuaded from this by Eminem himself in the dialogue in "Trouble" and responds with "You gonna cancel me, yeah?". These dialogues between the two characters make it clear that Eminem is trying to get rid of his Alter Ego because it is no longer in fashion and its provocative texts are damaging his career. However, Eminem doesn't even consider this and takes more and more control over Eminem, like a mischievous demon.
However, the album is not just full of calculated taboo-breaks. Standout tracks include "Temporary", a song for his daughter Hailie, and "Somebody Save Me", where Eminem addresses his daughters and raps about his medication addiction and how he left them behind.
Lyrically, Eminem is still above any doubt with this album, and "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)" is also heavily produced by Dr. Dre. Thematically, the album initially comes across as a big statement against the modern zeitgeist, "Cancel Culture", and Generation Z. But upon closer listening, it becomes clear: all of that is a metaphor for his addiction. Just like he fights against "Slim Shady", he fights against it but cannot prevent it from taking control of his life and destroying it.
Provocation and sincerity - Eminem can do both
In the end, Eminem does not put his alter ego "Slim Shady" to rest with his twelfth album. Instead, he raps about his own death at the end: "As they lower me in my coffin, I feel the tears all fallin' down on my cheek."
- The album "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)" by Eminem is set for release on July 12th, adding another music chapter to the United States of America's rich music history.
- Eminem's new album, due on July 12th, reignites the musical conversation between the rapper and his iconic alter ego "Slim Shady," resonating with the people who grew up with his music in Berlin and beyond.
- Following the July 12th album release, fans of Eminem worldwide can expect to hear him engage in thought-provoking discussions with "Slim Shady," just as music enthusiasts in the United States of America have been doing for almost two decades.
