Say it with me, Eminem fans: FINALLY! Reports have been flying for months that Em is recording a long-awaited comeback album. And last night at his book release party (Margeaux was there!), the pieces all came together. Em told the revelers that there is indeed an album coming soon… it’s called Relapse… and today a two-minute lyrical clinic called "I’m Having a Relapse," apparently the first taste of that album, is all over the Web.
You can check it out below, but be warned, it’s super-NSFW. And that’s part of what makes this song so awesome for those who, like me, have been waiting years for the real Slim Shady to return. Em’s flow, at one time the industry’s wickedest, is right back on point — a huge relief for anyone who’s been left underwhelmed by some of his half-asleep-sounding latter-day performances. What’s more, he’s using that delivery to spew the kind of perverse, hyper-aggressive wordplay that made fans out of Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney and billions of suburban teenagers back in 1999-2000. (Man, was it really that long ago that I saw Carson Daly introduce "My Name Is" for the first time?) Nah Right’s Eskay has it right: "Drugs, violence, wacky voices and flows upon flows. Yep, he’s back."
In other words, if you never really liked Eminem, I bet you’ll be giving this somewhere in the vicinity of a 1. But if you’re like me and you think pop culture has been sorely missing his subversive influence — if you’ve been longing for the only artist who can cross this many lines and offend this many listeners in a way that’s actually clever, not just crass — you’ll be leaning towards a 7 or higher. So how would you score it? And meanwhile, get ready for a lot more insight into Em’s mind when the new issue of EW hits stands tomorrow with an exclusive excerpt from his upcoming autobiography, The Way I Am…
More on Eminem:
"Em is excited" about his return to the studio, Bishop Lamont tells EW.com
EW reviews Eminem’s last album, 2004’s Encore
Em talks about making 8 Mile in EW’s Nov. 8, 2002 cover story
The inside story on Em’s 2000 "Stan" video
Comments (1-30) of 45 Add your comment
definitely sounds like he has some weird accent that he never previously had in the way he says relax…and then the mannequin bit, and gas, and mask man. sounds…odd to me.
I haven’t heard this song yet, but I’m excited to… when I have I’ll let ya know I guess. A link would’ve been nice.
i should add…he clearly does it later in the song…on purpose, but the two inflections aren’t the same.
About the accent, sounds like Em recorded this in a bungalow in Jamaica mon.
About the accent, sounds like Em recorded the track inside a bungalow or Bob Marley Studios in Jamaica mon. Is he trying to poorly chant patois or reggae on us now? Nevertheless, I rate 8, because it is good to hear from Em, the landscape of music and pop culture was boring without him. He makes me smile.
I like it – weird accent and all – 8.
FINALLY, I am so glad Eminem is coming back. I love the freestyle and can’t wait for his new book and album to come out.
i missed him terribly.
Meh. It’s more of the same from him. He’s gone back to this well too many times. I mean, aren’t all of his lead singles the same?
But, yeah, his flow is still good.
I’m sooooo glad he’s back. Feels great to hear his voice again!!
FINALLY!!!!!(i rate it a 10)
finally wow i give it a 10 of course those lyrics are so much better then lil waynes who dont make sence
10 of course
Great shady!
Love Em, dig the song for the most part, but hate the weird Jamaican accident. What’s up with that??
I wanna say a few things.
First off, FINALLY HE’S BACK!
Secondly, I hate the accent he does. It reminds me of ‘Ass Like That’ with that dumb puppet haha.
Thirdly, weezy’s lyrics don’t make sense? OKAY, whatever. I personally think eminem and weezy are the best rappers ever, no one can top their lyrics.
I give him 9843753875. :]
ima give it a 8, it woulda been higher, but the accent got to me about 3/4 way through
8. what the article didnt mention is that this was a freestyle he recorded the night before an interview on shade 45,
so yah its a freestyle.
and is still that good.
9.5 Eminem will finally get the credit he has always deserved once this album drops. He is the best rapper…ever. By the way, if you truly appreciate lyricists then we all know Lil Wayne’s latest albums are lyrically garbage.
Il Give It A 9. it was very good and the lyrics were awesome. but the accent got old after a while. but all and all it was amazing. GO EMINEM!?!
Wtf is wrong with you guys? This doesn’t even count as a song. It’s basically an announcement for the new album… right, Marshall? Wait…
I GIVE IT A 9.8. THE TRACK IS VERY HOT AND HE RIDING IT OUT LIKE A (BEST RAPPER ALIVE) WOULD!!!!!!!
Hell yeah his come backs gonna be huge! Is about damn time! he gonn show lil wayne how to rap and knock hes new friend T.I. off the top!
9.5
I can’t wait for the new album.. We have all waited to long. and I totally agree with everyone who thinks Lil Wayne is crap and Em is gonna show him how it’s done. I think a collaboration with E.M. and T.I. would be hott.
10 baby Em always comes out with some hot stuff, I love him
10 Em’s hot and his first song is always weird but his album songs always are so hot
I LOVE YOU, EMINEM! perfect 10, as always. Em’s got something new going on. I can’t wait to hear more! (and to read that biography!)
i’d give it an 8 for being lyrically awesome. -2 for not being too relevant.
u guys can be complaining his voice can u.i mean it s not the best but its eminem,so if u going to put down eminem go somewhere else
if you listen to the interview on youtube him and fifty were on tere and he says it was a freestyle he did the night before when he was bored. explainig the accent he wanted to entertain himself. so for a freestyle being bored with those lyrics in wordplay u gotta give it from 8.5-10.
anytihng less you must have been dropped on your head at birth
for a freestyle, and for being bored, i’d say its pretty d*mn good. even if i was on top of my game and feeling good, i dont think i could beat that. i give him a 8.5-9. I’m glad you’re back Em. peace ‘n love