Eminem’s ‘The Death of Slim Shady’ Album: All Tracks Ranked
Yep, he’s back. Shady’s back, inform a buddy. Eminem returned on Friday (July 12) to provide his extremely-anticipated The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) album.
The new LP marks Em’s initially album considering that 2020’s Music to Be Murdered By as he seeks a 10th consecutive chart-topper on the Billboard 200.
Mere hours just before the project arrived, Eminem revealed that TDOSS is really a “conceptual album” and he urged fans to listen to the project from front-to-back how he intended devoid of skipping about to their favorites.
“Public service announcement: the ‘death of slim shady’ is a conceptual album, therefore, if you listen to songs out of order they might not make sense,” he wrote. “Enjoy.”
Em kicked off The Death of Slim Shady‘s rollout with “Houdini,” which landed at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for his highest charting entry of the decade. He followed-up with “Tobey” featuring Big Sean and BabyTron earlier in July, which debuted at No. 95 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Eminem peppered collabs all through the project with particular guest appearances from Jelly Roll, J.I.D, Skylar Grey, Bizarre, Ez Mil and extra.
Even at 51 years old, Em has remained a industrial titan and one particular of the premier voices in hip-hop with a Hall of Fame résumé that can go toe-to-toe with any of his peers.
And when Slim Shady drops, it is all eyes on him with the culture providing him its undivided consideration. Billboard ran via all 19 tracks from The Death of Slim Shady and ranked the complete LP sans skits beneath.
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“Lucifer”
A comparable intro to The Eminem Show‘s “Square Dance.” Dr. Dre is here and his Midas touch is noticeable on the crisp jingle. Em takes the chance to respond to right wing political pundit Candace Owens who asked, “Am I getting older or is Eminem getting gayer?” last year. “And Candice O, I ain’t mad at her/ I ain’t gon’ throw the truth b—h forgot she was Black back at her/ Laugh at her, like them crackers she’s backin’ right after,” Shady spews.
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“Evil”
Don Cannon lays down the ominous production for Eminem to peel back the layers of his diabolical thoughts state. Through his trials and tribulations, Em believes he outran his evil strategies, but they usually eventually come back to haunt him. “I done turned my whole life around/ But I think I’m just like you now, ’cause I turned out so f—–g evil,” he admits.
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“Road Rage”
There is a questionably overwhelming quantity of Caitlin Jenner name-drops on the album. Imagine driving about Michigan and receiving into a road rage argument and it is Eminem on the other side of the wheel? Slim believes bullying can have a optimistic influence in some strategies, and he’s had sufficient of American society coddling obese citizens.
“Let’s celebrate onset diabetes and instead of us dieting we can just have a pie eating contest/ And we should be extra nice instead of honest/ And instead of exercise it’s easier to find a XXXL your size/ And try to press society to change so you don’t have to change,” Em raps in disgust. “Road Rage” will sit toward the bottom when compared to the rest of the album cuts.
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“Head Honcho” Feat. Ez Mil
What a coming out celebration for Ez Mil. Em measures to the side for Mil to get his bi-lingual shine. Eminem nevertheless is not more than the trauma that came with getting his tricycle stolen as a kid. He referenced the tragic predicament 4 years ago on Music to Be Murdered‘s “Leaving Heaven” in 2020. The Detroit icon thinks fans want him to “reinvent the wheel” when it comes to his new music, but we genuinely just want him to take a extra scenic route and distinctive roads to get to his location than the exact same parkway.
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“Brand New Dance”
Eminem actually took fans back to 2004 — New York Yankee fans are not going to be satisfied. Later on “Guilty Conscience 2,” Em confirms that “Brand New Dance” is a slightly reworked additional from 04’s Encore that was initially titled “Christopher Reeves” and got left on the cutting area floor. Nostalgia is usually going to be a welcomed sight for Em Stans and it is honestly impressive that he can take one thing from two decades ago and match it into one more project. Not a lot of can pull that off.
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“Bad One”
Don’t drop concentrate due to the fact Eminem awakens in the third verse. He’s ashamed of the white rapper lane that he possibly played a part in blazing. Em’s nevertheless war-prepared for Machine Gun Kelly as well, and it sounds as if he’s seeking for one more round in the ring with MGK. “But I gotta keep going Tyson on Kelly/ I bodied him twice and already/ That little motherf—–‘s back throwing subs like a food fight at the deli,” he snipes.
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“Trouble”
“Trouble” desires to be longer than 41 seconds. On second believed, possibly it does not considering that Eminem does every little thing he can to get cancelled in the quick duration when sniping at just about each marginalized neighborhood. Em is extra socially adept than individuals assume, as he recognizes and nods to the “Gen Z is trying to cancel Eminem” meme.
Later on, he realizes that Marshall usually comes to clean up Slim Shady’s mess, but understands the personas will need every other to co-exist. It’s just about as if he’s got an angel and then the devil on his other shoulder.
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“Habits”
Five minutes is a lot to unpack on one particular song, in particular when it comes to the density of Em rhymes. Eminem has grappled with a lot of addiction problems all through his profession, but right here he’s targeting the propensity to channel Slim Shady and come to be the provocateur ruffling feathers and powering via the backlash.
This time about, it is the LGBTQ+ and mentally-handicapped communities and Em is worried about getting “cancelled” like DaBaby following his homophobic rant at a 2021 Rolling Loud festival. However, right after reflecting on his Detroit roots, Em tends to make it clear that even with every little thing he’s been via, he’s nevertheless a fantastic father at house. “Calling Shady misogynistic/ While raisin’ three daughters, two graduated from college with honors,” he raps.
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“Tobey” Feat. Big Sean & Babytron
What began out as a BabyTron solo track, ended up becoming an all-Detroit superstar affair Big Sean and Eminem is one thing straight out of a fever dream. Em loved the ominous track so a lot that he took it for his personal album.
Batting third, Slim nevertheless has a hefty chip on his shoulder like he’s feeling doubted in an 8 Mile rap battle when blasting Billboard for getting him ranked No. 5 on our Greatest Rappers of All-Time list. “How rappers I’ve already ripped could be/ Higher up on a list than me/ Yet, here I sit on your list though at five, which still is fine/ But just know inside, to me, that s–t’s hilarious,”
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“Houdini”
Nostalgia is a hell of a drug. Eminem set the tone for his album by harkening back to his Slim Shady alter-ego of the late ’90s/early 2000s, which pulled on the heartstrings of his diehard fan base. In correct Slim Shady style, Em drummed up the backlash touching on Megan Thee Stallion’s shooting and name-dropping R. Kelly. However, it was his final trick when he pulled out a catchy hook to save the Luis Resto-created track, which lent credence to the theory that Eminem could really be back.
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“Antichrist”
Not for the faint of heart, Eminem turns the clock back and lets the chopper sing on the opposition. A infant harmonizes more than his vocals for the catchy chorus on The Death of Slim Shady standout. Marshall requires the throne as the “Antichrist” and the sound you hear is Megan’s Hotties and Nicki Minaj’s Barbz fan base questioning why the rivals have been name-dropped back-to-back.
This track had to be recorded in the final couple of months as Em disses Diddy when referencing the footage of Combs abusing Cassie from 2016, but stops quick of naming the victim. “Next idiot that ask me is getting his a– beat/ Worst than Diddy did…”
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“Renaissance”
A dark introduction for The Death of Slim Shady. Em dices up the piano-driven production and requires aim at the haters cosplaying hip-hop fans who seemingly come across one thing incorrect with each album released in the genre, even these from legends he names like Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar and Ye. And it is not till you pass that you acquire your flowers. “You nerdy p—-s would find somethin’ wrong with 36 Chambers/ So what they do for the greats? Pick the part of Picasso and make excuses to hate,” he raps.
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“Guilty Conscience 2”
A sequel to the original “Guilty Conscience” that arrived in 1999. Em reignites his feud with Ja Rule when referring to the “New York” rapper as a “midget.” It’s a light jab compared to the days of 2002’s “Bump Heads” warning shot. Slim Shady and Marshall butt heads and ram against every other on the exact same verse with Em playing each sides.
Growth is critical and Eminem is waving the white flag on some of his longstanding feuds. Em is ending the war against Machine Gun Kelly, Christopher Reeves, Nick Cannon, Limp Bizkit, Will Smith, Canibus, Lord Jamar and Ja Rule. It’s not the original, but “Guilty Conscience 2” is a worthy second coming.
At one particular point, Slim Shady puts Marshall on blast for generating him as an alter-ego to stir up controversy and primarily be a shield to say jarring issues that he didn’t genuinely have the courage to stand on.
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“Temporary” Feat. Skylar Grey
Skylar Grey’s coo brings a softer texture to break up the lengthy album. Eminem goes from diabolical madman to poignant poet in a matter of minutes. “Temporary” is a lovely tribute to his daughter Hailey and continues the fan-preferred lineage of songs about the father-daughter dynamic like “Mockingbird” and “When I’m Gone.”
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“Fuel” Feat. J.I.D
Stepping outdoors of a comfort zone is exactly where the development comes in. Em invites the youthful J.I.D into the fold, who certainly jackhammers the starry production, which forces Slim Shady to raise his game on the album crown jewel.
Eminem goes off for practically two minutes straight. In the midst of his rhyme spree, Em pays homage to The Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac, when insinuating Diddy possibly had one thing to do with the murders. “R.I.P., rest in peace, Biggie and Pac, both of y’all should be living/ But I ain’t tryna beef with him/ Cause he might put a hit on me like Keefe D did him,” Em alleges.
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“Somebody Save Me” Feat. Jelly Roll
Someone’s cutting onions. A teary-eyed finish to The Death of Slim Shady journey. A vulnerable apology letter to all of his youngsters, as Em is filled with regret for not getting the parent he wanted to be and missing out on so a lot. Jelly Roll may possibly have met Eminem just final month, but it is like he’s identified him for a lifetime. The Nashville-bred artist delivers a heavenly chorus that washes Marshall’s sins away when he’s laid to rest.