I'd like to start off by pointing out that Eminem is my favorite rapper ever. Even though I was disappointed with his last two efforts, The Eminem Show & Encore, he's still my favorite; maybe not at this current time (hi Lupe + Andre 300 + Weezy), but overall.
Back in the Slim Shady & Marshall Mathers eras is when this guy was really blowing my mind... I mean, he was blowing my mind with everything he touched, whether it be features (dead wrong, busa rhyme, renegade), to freestyles, to album cuts, he was murdering shit. He showed us how to stay creative while maintaining a mainstream appeal. He kept it all him 100% of the time. I could go on and on. Minus the racial issues that helped propel his career further, he was extremely lyrical with vicious multis and compound punchlines, murderous wordplay, a strong delivery, a prestine flow, and a stand out voice. During those eras he was unstoppable... it's kind of how Weezy is now like how he'll get on anything and outshine whoever is on it... well Eminem did that on a grander scale. Nas even pointed out the real on ETHER ("em murdered you on your own shit.") ...the real.
When The Eminem Show released, I was a bit hurt. The rapid fire bazooka kaboom wordplay, the sporadic multis, and mega lyrical prowess were kind of replaced with a straight forward, somewhat lazy presence on the mic. Not in a sense of his actual sound because the ferocious aggressive vocals + delivery were still in effect, but because of the lack of worldplay and lyrical tactics. Don't get me wrong, the topics at hand were definitely more in depth and he showed a lot of growth, but there was something missing.
Then Encore dropped. The Eminem Show prepped me for the new Eminem, so when I popped in Encore and listened to it I already knew what I was in for... kind of. See, because he had changed again. Alot of tracks were like... um, okay, why? (big weenie, my first single, ass like that, rain man) He had went back to his sillier, more animated style... but without the WOW-factor of The Slim Shady LP & Marshal Mathers LP. This shit was lazy crazy. Super weird, half-assed nonsense. The production was dope as ever though... and the tracks that he did take serious, were super dope. (spend some time, like toy soldiers, evil deeds, mockingbird). Like Toy Soldiers has to be one of my favorite Hip-Hop tracks ever though.
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So now, it's time. Eminem is back in the studio working on the tentatively titled KING MATHERS. It's been 4 years since Encore dropped. 2 years since Proof passed away. It's time to get back into the studio and wake up the world fuhreal this time! I read somewhere that DJ Premier has produced a track or two and states it's on some Slim Shady super lyrical shit. Alchemist has also confirmed that Eminem has been creating music on a another level. Bishop Lamont has also stated Eminem is hard at work on his sixth album. Hopefully he'll blend all the directions he's used in the past to create something INCREDIBLE. It's been said that the album will be out 4TH QUARTER OF 2008, but it'll probably be early 2009!
Back in the Slim Shady & Marshall Mathers eras is when this guy was really blowing my mind... I mean, he was blowing my mind with everything he touched, whether it be features (dead wrong, busa rhyme, renegade), to freestyles, to album cuts, he was murdering shit. He showed us how to stay creative while maintaining a mainstream appeal. He kept it all him 100% of the time. I could go on and on. Minus the racial issues that helped propel his career further, he was extremely lyrical with vicious multis and compound punchlines, murderous wordplay, a strong delivery, a prestine flow, and a stand out voice. During those eras he was unstoppable... it's kind of how Weezy is now like how he'll get on anything and outshine whoever is on it... well Eminem did that on a grander scale. Nas even pointed out the real on ETHER ("em murdered you on your own shit.") ...the real.
When The Eminem Show released, I was a bit hurt. The rapid fire bazooka kaboom wordplay, the sporadic multis, and mega lyrical prowess were kind of replaced with a straight forward, somewhat lazy presence on the mic. Not in a sense of his actual sound because the ferocious aggressive vocals + delivery were still in effect, but because of the lack of worldplay and lyrical tactics. Don't get me wrong, the topics at hand were definitely more in depth and he showed a lot of growth, but there was something missing.
Then Encore dropped. The Eminem Show prepped me for the new Eminem, so when I popped in Encore and listened to it I already knew what I was in for... kind of. See, because he had changed again. Alot of tracks were like... um, okay, why? (big weenie, my first single, ass like that, rain man) He had went back to his sillier, more animated style... but without the WOW-factor of The Slim Shady LP & Marshal Mathers LP. This shit was lazy crazy. Super weird, half-assed nonsense. The production was dope as ever though... and the tracks that he did take serious, were super dope. (spend some time, like toy soldiers, evil deeds, mockingbird). Like Toy Soldiers has to be one of my favorite Hip-Hop tracks ever though.
______
So now, it's time. Eminem is back in the studio working on the tentatively titled KING MATHERS. It's been 4 years since Encore dropped. 2 years since Proof passed away. It's time to get back into the studio and wake up the world fuhreal this time! I read somewhere that DJ Premier has produced a track or two and states it's on some Slim Shady super lyrical shit. Alchemist has also confirmed that Eminem has been creating music on a another level. Bishop Lamont has also stated Eminem is hard at work on his sixth album. Hopefully he'll blend all the directions he's used in the past to create something INCREDIBLE. It's been said that the album will be out 4TH QUARTER OF 2008, but it'll probably be early 2009!
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2 comments:
Mannn!! its about time..we need some slim shady tracks to bless our ears..to remind us of being yourself and let loose..good looks on the update my dude..
-Billy Da' Kid
I agree fully with your blog post. Eminem has been my favorite rapper when I was introduced to his music several years ago. Lately he has had his up's and down's, specifically with his past two studio albums. Although they were not the greatest, they still had a few good songs on them. I personally believe Eminem was bored, unchallenged, and tired during production of both albums.
In his early days, he really was untouchable, easily one of THE best rappers back then and clearly to this day. Without much competition, I could see why his style changed. Hip Hop has been going down hill, you'd figure it would go up with such talent, but a lot of rappers these days are unoriginal. It would be great to hear from Eminem, regardless of how he raps today. He will always be my favorite rapper.
Bless us with some good music Slim.
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