Twenty-five years after his explosive debut, Eminem’s controversial alter ego, Slim Shady, might finally be laid to rest. In a surprising April announcement, Eminem revealed his upcoming album, “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce),” set for release this summer. The album’s lead single, “Houdini,” dropped on Friday, featuring cameos from rap legends Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and 50 Cent, as well as comedians Pete Davidson and Shane Gillis. The title suggests a violent end for Slim Shady, with Eminem himself noting, “I knew it was only a matter of time.”
Born Marshall Mathers III, Eminem grew up in Detroit’s low-income, majority-black neighborhoods. Rap became his escape from a troubled childhood marked by strained parental relationships and bullying. Despite his talent, his 1996 album “Infinite” failed to attract major labels. It wasn’t until he adopted the foul-mouthed, shock-rap persona of Slim Shady that he gained significant attention.
The Slim Shady EP eventually reached mogul Jimmy Iovine and NWA’s Dr. Dre, who signed Eminem to Interscope. Dre saw Slim Shady as an anti-hero, and their partnership helped bridge some of rap’s racial divides. The release of the “Slim Shady LP” in 1999 catapulted Eminem to fame, selling 500,000 copies in two weeks and earning two Grammys. The follow-up, “The Marshall Mathers LP,” took aim at societal hypocrisy, with Shady reveling in his role as a provocateur.
Despite his success, Eminem’s lyrics have sparked controversy for their violent misogyny and homophobia. Critics argue that his portrayal of the angry white male has been co-opted by alt-right and white nationalist movements. Eminem himself has tried to distance his legacy from these associations, notably with a scathing rap against Trump supporters at the 2017 BET Awards.
As Eminem navigates his legacy, he faces the challenge of reconciling his various personas. His more recent work, including pop-rap hits like “Not Afraid” and collaborations with Rihanna, has softened his image. However, attempts to return to his old style have not always been well-received by younger audiences, some of whom have called for his cancellation.
Despite these challenges, Eminem’s last two albums have surpassed three billion streams on Spotify, with ten tracks exceeding a billion streams each. While his unique lyricism is still appreciated, he is not as prominently featured in contemporary rap discussions dominated by artists like Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
So, is killing off Slim Shady an effort to secure his legacy? Some fans believe it might be. Eminem has expressed contempt for the current state of the genre and may be looking to prove he still has what it takes. However, the nostalgic sound of his early 2000s work could alienate some listeners.
The playful video for “Houdini” shows present-day Eminem trying to stop his 2002 incarnation of Shady from grabbing the mic, eventually forming a hybrid version. This suggests that while Slim Shady may be “dead,” his influence will continue to shape Eminem’s career.
As Eminem once told Radio 1 in 1999, “I used to make up my own heroes and my own villains, but my heroes would always die.” Whether Slim Shady is a hero or a villain depends on who you ask and when.
Source: BBC News, The Ringer, Rolling Stone, Vox, Spin, Pew Research Center
