Hip-Hop's Forum

Eminem comes clean on new album.

By: Chris Wallace (Writer: Hip-Hop’s Forum)

It’s amazing how the world of music has a tendency to get flushed away by political nonsense, famous breakups, Facebook, television, work, and everything else that consumes the hours we are awake. After B.o.B.’s Adventures of Bobby Ray, Drake’s Thank Me Later and now Eminem’s Recovery, there are no excuses to let a day go by without some time put in to Hip-Hop.

This is the 7th studio album (yes count ‘em) from the 37-year-old rapper hailing from Detroit’s 8th Mile. At no point in his illustrious career has there been a bigger statement than this. It’s not a statement against rival emcee’s or haters as you might assume.  This is one about himself and his life. Those that are loyal fans will feel luckier than those who aren’t to be along for the ride.

I’m not going to come out and say I am the biggest Em fan that ever lived because I know there are still people out there with shrines and his face all over their walls. On the other hand, I know his music and his story. Both are inspiring.

Recovery has its moments that bring out the best in Marshall. For instance, his verse on “No Love” featuring Lil’ Wayne seemingly never ends and when it does you wish it hadn’t.

Nobody’s perfect but there are times that I felt left with more potential than execution. “Seduction” and “So Bad” aren’t my favorite tracks  but do provide thoughts for your girlfriend that she doesn’t tell you about.

The production doesn’t slack in names whatsoever (Just Blaze, Boi-1da, DJ Khalil, Jim Jonsin, Dr. Dre) but I was disappointed with the one credit Dre received. I know he oversaw the whole project so I guess that’s all he needed. Khalil shines and his use of soft female vocals works perfect with Em’s newest demeanor in tone.

Lyrically, I was impressed with Em’s wordplay and ability to overpower different tracks. He wore his emotion on his sleeve and if you close your eyes you can feel it pouring out of him.

He mentions his drug use, loss of a brother in Proof (R.I.P.), renewed relationship as a father, and overall sense of freedom from the caged animal he was these past few years (see “Not Afraid” in its entirety). We receive more than one sincere apology in regards to his feeling that he let his fans down.

The four features that made the album (disregarding the bonus tracks) are all subtle, and while Rihanna’s lacks a bang in “Love the Way You Lie” (still enjoyable however), Weezy’s splatter over “What is Love” is all sorts of unique.

As far as the overall response to the album, I am shocked. Many critics are bashing his range of topics, lyricism, the production, on and on and on. They want him to have corky beats and point fun at the little things in our lives that shouldn’t be relevant anyway.

Well people, that’s just not where Eminem is at this point of his life. The man just got over a heavy drug addiction, was apparently minutes from his death, pulled himself out, and is back doing what he does best. What he’s telling you about wasn’t all laughs; it was reality.

Jesal Panadia of RapReviews said it best, “One individual might completely love it, another hate it – for pretty much the same reasons… not his best, nor his worst, but either people will listen incessantly or barely at all. There is no middle ground”.

While I’m in the minority it seems as someone who feels after such a long journey, Eminem has found that middle ground in his music and it’s some of the best ground he’s stepped foot on, others disagree.

All in all Eminem is healthy, clear-minded, and more alive than he’s been in quite some time and it’s a real treat for music that Relapse and drug use were not the last things we remember about this icon.

So thank you Marshall Mathers. I respect you. Millions believe in you. And it’s safe to say, you’re now in a position to go out on top on your own terms.

Watch Eminem’s video for “Not Afraid” HERE.