Eminem - 'Not Afraid'
It's got to be one of the hardest things about trying to make big changes in your life, to drop all the silly defenses you've put up, the security blanket/hard shell that always stopped you from exposing your weak underbelly to the predators.
Everyone does it, a sharp tongue, a big pair of fists, fierce makeup, confident clothes, pre-emptive tears...or in Eminem's case, writing a bunch of songs about which female celebs he'd like to make out with and telling the world off for getting on his case all the time.
Attack, defend, attack, defend...and yet all anyone really wants from the man is a little honesty.
(No video. Sweary.)
I say 'all' as if it's no big deal to be honest, really, nakedly, vulnerably honest, when you're hugely famous and there's a media scramble to interpret your every wrong decision and grumpy nose-blow. But it's what made Marshall Mathers so brilliant a rapper in the first place, peppering his cartoon-sick raps with actually chunks of desperately sad meaty reality. Oh and doing it brilliantly, that bit's really important.
That was the big problem with 'Relapse', if I can be rude enough to claim to fully understand and comment on the mental landscape of someone I've only met once, briefly and many years ago, and whose movements and thoughts can only be interpreted through the medium of entertainment news, and the rap songs he writes for a living.
While it was great to see the man doing his thing again, some of the songs came across like he was still hiding behind that Slim Shady persona, and yet you knew he'd been to hell and back as a person. There were new chinks in his armour and yet he was too busy pointing at the trusty breastplate and boasting how it still worked as well as ever to acknowledge this, so it came across like empty bluster.
Well now all the armour is off. We've got a mission statement that says he's fully aware that he is just making this up as he goes along, that he knows he has good days and bad days, and that he knows sometimes his talent lets him down, but that he's not afraid of getting back on the horse, and he's grateful for our patience and support.
Oh it's dressed up in aggression and swearing and - thankfully - a devastatingly ON-FORM delivery, but it's pretty clear that this is where he's at right now. He's dropped all of his defenses - to a point - and wants to make a decent fist of the rest of his life.
And you'd have to have a cold heart indeed not to love him for that.
Download: Out now
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Music page
(Fraser McAlpine)
"The song is an anthem in nature and rebellious to the core."
"The track shows the acclaimed MC reflecting on his rehabilitation from drug addiction and "facing his demons" in a typically forthright way."
"This is the Eminem people will embrace on radio and iTunes alike."
Comment number 1.
At 29th May 2010, cecilgranger wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 29th May 2010, omerkonat wrote:Hi:) Every digital system whether cable, terrestrial or satellite has a now and next and EPG system which shows you what channel you are watching. There is simply no need for a DOG to be on screen at all and certainly not in the opacity / size that ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ HD is. [Unsuitable/Broken URL removed by Moderator]
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 29th May 2010, omerkonat wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 29th May 2010, omerkonat wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 29th May 2010, omerkonat wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 29th May 2010, omerkonat wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 29th May 2010, omerkonat wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 29th May 2010, omerkonat wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 29th May 2010, RandomEnigma wrote:Oh my God, I can't believe the Eminem thread is made up of spam comments. It really says something about Eminem these days. I like Not Afraid, it's not amazing or anything but it's enjoyable enough. I want to hear the P!nk collaboration he has though on his new album.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)
Comment number 10.
At 29th May 2010, OddOne wrote:^Seconded!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 10)
Comment number 11.
At 6th Jun 2010, nicoley wrote:i love eminem, this song reminds me of his "diss" to mariah with 'the warning'.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 11)
Comment number 12.
At 2nd Dec 2010, SamuraisShadow wrote:Can we finally have some proper discussion about this song?
I think it was amazing. Eminem is definitely not gone.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 12)
Comment number 13.
At 2nd Dec 2010, stocksy wrote:IM NOT AFRAID. TO THROW A CHAIR.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 13)
Comment number 14.
At 2nd Dec 2010, harrythedog10 wrote:^ I might be doing that if Not Afraid beats Kanye to the rap grammy this year
Complain about this comment (Comment number 14)
Comment number 15.
At 2nd Dec 2010, OddOne wrote:Eminem should just go find a hole. And then stay in it. He can rap to himself in the vacinity of his hole.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 15)
Comment number 16.
At 6th Dec 2010, SamuraisShadow wrote:Kanye Album = Best Album I have ever listened to.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 16)
Comment number 17.
At 6th Dec 2010, stocksy wrote:Its the best RAP album iv'e ever listened to.
Mezzanine is the best album Iv'e ever heard.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 17)
Comment number 18.
At 6th Dec 2010, harrythedog10 wrote:It's amazing, definately my album of year. Best Album I've ever listened to either Funeral - Arcade Fire or The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust - David Bowie though
Complain about this comment (Comment number 18)