So apparently Eminem’s alter ego, Slim shady is back again in 2024. It’s good news, right? Eminem fans didn’t waste time last month elevating the hip-hop troublemaker’s new single Houdini, from his forthcoming 12th studio album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grace), to top spot on the iTunes U.S. chart. I can’t say I’m surprised because almost everything he does goes viral and why should this be any different.
In recent days Eminem dropped another new single called Tobey feat. Big Sean & Babytron, which lyrically unapologetically declares how Eminem just might be the GOAT: “Way beyond crazy, Shady gone, but hey, maybe I am the goat.” In truth, Eminem has nothing left to prove. We all know he is a genius at what he does. The fact that he is still excited to be making new records is music to hip hop fan’s ears. The old flow is back and he’s still stirring the pot and making fun of everyone and everything. I know, it’s criminal, especially in our (over policed) cancel culture. Yet people are still listening to Eminem because he doesn’t tread those same boring hip hop hardcore/gangsta lines that seem to be on a loop at the moment.
We will find out later this week as to whether Eminem has anything else worthy to say because some have questioned his ability to still dig deep as a social critic. If anything he is definitely riling upon his critics to hate him more. Honestly, I’m not sure whether fans prefer his serious stuff or novelty song’s like Houdini. If you ask me I think Eminem is at his best when he’s not trying to prove he’s the greatest rapper of all time and is just having fun. For now, at least his latest track Tobey but maybe more so Houdini is exciting his fans. It a callback to his 2002 hit single Without Me. This time around Eminem cites Steve Miller Band’s Abracadabra on the chorus and fans the flame of controversy taking aim at his manager Paul Rosenberg, Megan Thee Stallion, RuPaul and his kids. As for the music video, it is a straight up homage to Without Me. While not as iconic (well, not yet anyway) as his 2002 performance as rap boy, it is still quite funny in its execution, especially in seeing two Eminems taunting each other.
Rearview Mirror 
Anna T, she’s doing something atmospherically unusual that I like, but all of these picks are really great.
Anna is full of surprises. She teamed up with her friend and colleague Shane Leonard, who produced and played most of the instruments on the new album. I dare say he was a big part of getting Anna out of her comfort zone.