Houdini
E
Eminem·
20242024
Whether as Marshall Mathers or Slim Shady, Eminem never fails to make a strong impression. His discography regularly documents a struggle between the Detroit-bred rap superstar’s two outspoken personas, an artistic battle followed closely by his most ardent and attentive fans, while pitchfork-wielding outsiders and his more casual listeners never bothered to discern the difference. The willfully profane Slim and the comparatively less sacrilegious Marshall compose a dramaturgical dyad that makes each of his album releases feel like blockbusters. That said, the stakes feel dramatically high on The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), its title the most thematically loaded of his two-and-a-half-decade career.
If this does end up the genuine final curtain call for Eminem’s most notorious alter ego, he makes it a point to execute it on his own controversy-baiting terms, whether people like it or not. Addressing his detractors head-on, “Habits” defensively dismantles criticisms both internal and external, taking personal inventory while decrying political correctness. Cancel culture and wokeness as existential threats stay front of mind throughout, looming particularly large over the combative “Antichrist” and the Dr. Dre co-produced “Lucifer.” Repeated references to Caitlyn Jenner won’t quell the perpetual transphobia accusations Eminem has long faced, but on songs like “Evil” and “Road Rage” he at least aims to clarify his positions amid his characteristically clever wordplay.
Naturally, Slim isn’t about to go out quietly. Ever the eager pugilist, he exploits his upper hand with Fight Club panache on “Brand New Dance” and “Trouble.” The character’s antagonism vacillates between self-destructive outbursts and strategic gaslighting, gleefully poking at touchy topics on “Houdini” and assigning we’re-in-this-together complicity to Marshall on the surprise sequel “Guilty Conscience 2.” Yet even as the tragicomically intertwined foes grapple with one another, the album still makes room for something as personal as “Temporary,” a heartfelt message to his daughter for after he’s gone. With the added benefit of a few unexpected cameos, including Michigan-repping cut “Tobey” with Big Sean and BabyTron, the over-the-top theatricality driving The Death of… feels like fan service, giving his longtime patrons the Eminem show they’ve come to expect from him.
Lyrics
[Skit: Paul Rosenberg]
Hey, Em, it's Paul
Uh, I was listening to the album
Good fucking luck, you're on your own
[Intro: Eminem]
Guess who's back, back again?
Shady's back, tell a friend
Guess who's back, guess who's back
Guess who's back, guess who's back
Guess who's back, guess who's back
Guess who's back
(Da-da-da, da, da, da, da, da, da)
(Da-da-da, da, da, da, da)
[Verse 1: Eminem]
Well look what the stork brung
(What?) Little baby devil with the forked tongue
And it's stickin' out yeah like a sore thumb
(Bleah) With a forehead that it grew horns from
Still a white jerk
Pullin' up in a Chrysler to the cypher with the vic's, percs and a Bud Light shirt
Lyrical technician an electrician ya'll light work
And I don't gotta play pretend it's you I make believe
And you know I'm here to stay cause me
If I was to ever take a leave
It would be aspirin to break a feve
If I was to ask for Megan Thee
Stallion if she would collab with me
Would I really have a shot at a feat?
I don't know but I'm glad to be
Back, like
[Chorus: Eminem]
Abra-abracadabra
(and for my last trick) I'm bout to reach in my bag, bruh
Abra-abracadabra
(and for my last trick) (poof) Just like that and I'm back, bro
[Verse 2: Eminem]
Now back in the days of old me
(When) Right around the time I became a dope fiend
Ate some codeine, as a way of coping taste of opiates, case of O.E
Turned me into smiley face emoji
My shit may not be age appropri-
Ate but I will hit an eight year old in the face with a participation trophy
'Cause I have zero doubts
That this whole world's 'bout
To turn into some girl scouts
That censorship bureau's out
To shut me down so when I started this verse
It did start off light hearted at first
But it feels like I'm targeted
Mind bogglin' how my profit has skyrocketed
Look what I pocketed
Yeah the shit is just like ya'll have been light joggin' and
I've been running at full speed and that's why I'm ahead like my noggin and
I'm the fight ya'll get in
When you debate who the best but ops I'm white chalkin' when
I step up to that mic cock it then
"Oh my god, its him...not again"
[Chorus: Eminem]
Abra-abracadabra
(and for my last trick) I'm bout to reach in my bag, bruh
Abra-abracadabra
(and for my last trick) (poof) Just like that and I'm back, bro
[Bridge: Eminem]
Sometimes I wonder what the old me'd say
(If what) If he could see the way shit is today
(Look at this shit man) He'd probably say that everything is gay
(Like happy) What's my name, what's my name?
[Verse 3: Eminem]
So how many little kids still wanna act like me
I'm a bigger prick than cacti be
And that's why these
Words sting just like you were being attacked by bees
In the coupe leaning back my seat
Bumpin' R. Kelly's favorite group the black guy pee's
In my Air Max 90's
White t's walkin' parental advisory
My transgender cat's Siamese
Identifies as black, but acts Chinese
Like a motherfuckin' hacky sack I treat
The whole world 'cause I got it at my feet
How can I explain to you
That even myself, I'm a danger to
I hop on tracks like a kangaroo
And say a few things or two to anger you
But fuck that if I think that shit, I'ma say that shit
Cancel me what? Ok that's it go ahead Paul quit
Snake ass prick, you male cross dresser, fake ass bitch
And I'll probably get shit for that
(Watch) But you can all suck my dick, in fact
Fuck them-fuck Dre, fuck Jimmy, fuck me, fuck you, fuck my own kids they're brats
(Fuck 'em)
They can screw-off, them and you all, you too Paul, got two balls, big as RuPaul's, what you thought you saw
Ain't what you saw
'Cause you're never gonna see me
Caught sleepin' and see the kidnappin' never did happen
Like Sherri Papini, Harry Houdini, I vanish into thin air as I'm leaving
[Chorus: Eminem]
Abra-abracadabra
(and for my last trick) I'm bout to reach in my bag, bruh
Abra-abracadabra
(and for my last trick) (poof) Just like that and I'm back, bro
