EMINEM – “The Real Slim Shady”
EMINEM – “The Real Slim Shady” (MP3)
Rock critics don’t like Eminem because he’s not political enough, but hey! on “The Real Slim Shady” he advocates same-sex marriage (okay, elopement) and direct-action McJob Sabotage with an army of pissed-off Slims spitting in the side orders. And he hates girl groups and boy bands! Mister Rock Critic, he is you! Which is sort of the point of “TRSS”, Slim as everyguy’s freewheeling alter-ego, sociopathic and bugged-out, a living breathing rapping Id Kid.
The other criticism you hear aimed at Em is that he’s just retreading old snot-rap Beastie-ploughed ground. Well, Eminem may end up making worse records than Hello Nasty but they almost certainly won’t be as boring. And Eminem on form is to the Beasties as “Firestarter” was to “Pump Up The Volume” – same genre and everything, but snappier, flashier and above all faster. Eminem has the best comic timing in hip-hop and the gags in “The Real Slim Shady” are plentiful (my favourite’s the Will Smith diss).
Plus Eminem’s like Donald Duck: it doesn’t even matter what he says, it’s going to be funny anyway. That voice of his – crazed, sarcastic, most of all infuriated – is where you can look for the politics (if you must). Like it or not, Eminem does reflect his dumb, fast times perfectly, whether he’s doing his nut over how stupid it all is or cackling from his front-row seat on the rollercoaster. He couldn’t solve our problems any more than the people whose actual job it is can, but his funny, catchy records – of which this is a top-flight example – can help you keep a grip on things. Eminem’s not sure whether to laugh along with his hysterical culture or give it a slap in the face: join the club.
Tom in New York London Paris Munich • Pop • 542 views
