“The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce),”
Eminem has a few things to get off his chest.
Namely the anchor known as Slim Shady, his alter ego birthed on 1999’s.
“The Slim Shady LP” and its cartoonish lead single, “My Name Is.”
That persona represented a significant portion of the Detroit rapper’s career, notably his bouncy 2000 smash single, “The Real Slim Shady.”
His 12th studio album that arrived Friday.
“The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)”
Eminem lands the proverbial death blow amid 19 tracks.
Including three skits and a scene-setting opening with his trademark combination of rhyme-dropping dexterity, decidedly un-politically correct references and crass humor.
He’s a lyrical pugilist throughout – except when he turns misty-eyed dad rapping about daughter Hailie Jade – and salts his insults with sarcasm.
“Kendrick’s album was cool, but it didn’t have any bangers/Wayne’s album or Yes, couldn’t tell you.
Which one was lamer /Joyner’s album was corny, Shady news is way worse.
He unfurls on “Renaissance,” the opening track reminiscent of the pumping backdrop of “Lose Yourself.”
But those aren’t disses, just Eminem trying to distance himself from Slim Shady, a shadow that airs grievances about pronoun use, transgender people and people with disabilities.
Sometimes, though, it’s unclear who is spewing the vitriol – Eminem or Slim Shady?
Eminem asks who to blame for his ‘screwed-up brain’ Death of Slim Shady:
Prior to the album’s release, Eminem noted.
“The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)” was crafted to be listened to from start to finish.,
Otherwise it won’t make sense.
Take his advice to best experience the slow demise of Slim Shady and to better understand why he ponders over the stalking beat of “Evil”
“Who’s to blame for my screwed-up brain?”
Eminem name checks Megan Thee Stallion (also called out in the album’s first single.
“Houdini”) and Nicki Minaj with a sophomoric sexual reference in the romping
“Antichrist” and turns his ire to the overweight in the stormy,
“Road Rage” (“Raise your hands if you’re shoving food in your mouth at this moment”), which also features a whiplash of a conversation between Em and Slim Shady.
Those who anticipated “Guilty Conscience 2,” his sequel to the 1999 collaboration with Dr. Dre, will appreciate.
The numerous callbacks to the era as he seesaws between thoughtful (“Why does it feel like I’m always being tortured.
