Two months ago, Eminem dropped a bombshell which left millions of his fans baffled. Marshall Mathers had enough. He announced he was putting an end to his MCing career after he went to rehab as a sleeping pill addict. His final solo project, Curtain Call, a compilation of his greatest hits with two "farewell" songs dropped on December 6th. This marks an end to a 10 year stint at the forefront of rap.
People compare him to 2pac Shakur by the way he connects with a mass audience. Many of the true hip hop guerillas poo-pooed this remark but stopped short of it by proclaiming him as one of the most lyrically gifted MC's of all time. True. Never has hip hop seen such a character who is at ease with his wordplay when tearing up opponents like Ja Rule/Benzino or making some of the most touching raps like "Stan","Lose Yourself" and "Mockingbird".
Fans all around the world appealed thro online forums for Slim Shady to quit playin. Thats exactly what he did. He quit playing the "Rap Game". There is stage in every person's life when somethings need more priority than others. For all these years, Marshall Mathers wanted to show the world he really doesnt give a .... He wanted to get himself, his family and his friends to a postion where they dont have to struggle to for their daily life. He wanted to tap into the white-trash audience which lost an icon after Elvis. He wanted to do what he did best. Now achieved in 10 years what no other rap star has. A worldwide fan base for his lyrical skills, being touted as one of the "Greatest MCs" of all time, he kept churing out underground tracks which ended the careers of his detractors, produced amazing music with guidance of Dr.Dre and take rap music to the average American household. He's been there, done that in the Hip Hop world of "Superstardom".
But look at the flipside. He's not been able to ressurect his marriage, partly because he wrote so many songs against his teenage-love/wife. He's not able to spend quality time with his daughter, whom he loves so much that he reads her "Harry Potter" every night. His personal life quite frankly is on the verge of collapse. So his final appeal to his fans. "LEAVE ME ALONE". I understand his intentions. The man is wanting to set things straight in his life rather than going aroung asking people to kick out Prez Bush to improve their lives.
In Curtain Call, Eminem has killed Slim Shady. Shady was the alter-ego that catapulted him to what he is now. And an emotional appeal to his fans thro "When I'm Gone" will make anyone who listens to it, burst in tears. I place it along with the best lyrically touching songs I've ever heard in any genre. "When I'm Gone" is a message to his fans not to mourn when he's gone but to cherish every time they hear his voice.
Eminem is an inspiration to the next generation of hip hop artists. He's the guy who made me sit up and listen to what he said. He's also my inspiration to dig into Hip Hop history and discover THE best lyricists like Pac, Biggie & NAS. He's the guy who showed that if you got the skill, you can make people notice you. He may be heralded as a no-good, white-trash, foul-mouthed, screwed up kid from Detroit, Michigan who bullied his way into the limelight but for a fan like me, he's the guy who changed lives. Marshall Mathers will still continue to appear on guest spots, release tracks thro his radio Shade45 and may even cut an album with D12. What he is quitting is making any more SOLO albums. But you never know! How long can he stay from the mic?
As Eminem takes a final bow to the audience who wanted him to be on stage forever, he walks into a territory not seen by him before. The softer side of him has to set his personal relationships straight. He need a timeout from the spotlight to make amends. This is a "second" chance for him to reclaim his on/off relationship with his wife. He's apparantly going to remarry her. The Legend of Eminem will live forever. The guy who changed the face of Hip Hop is walking away. And one last appeal from him is for his fans not to follow him. Go Marshall! I, as a fan, wish you success in the quest to set your life straight. Live Happyily Ever After. PEACE......
People compare him to 2pac Shakur by the way he connects with a mass audience. Many of the true hip hop guerillas poo-pooed this remark but stopped short of it by proclaiming him as one of the most lyrically gifted MC's of all time. True. Never has hip hop seen such a character who is at ease with his wordplay when tearing up opponents like Ja Rule/Benzino or making some of the most touching raps like "Stan","Lose Yourself" and "Mockingbird".
Fans all around the world appealed thro online forums for Slim Shady to quit playin. Thats exactly what he did. He quit playing the "Rap Game". There is stage in every person's life when somethings need more priority than others. For all these years, Marshall Mathers wanted to show the world he really doesnt give a .... He wanted to get himself, his family and his friends to a postion where they dont have to struggle to for their daily life. He wanted to tap into the white-trash audience which lost an icon after Elvis. He wanted to do what he did best. Now achieved in 10 years what no other rap star has. A worldwide fan base for his lyrical skills, being touted as one of the "Greatest MCs" of all time, he kept churing out underground tracks which ended the careers of his detractors, produced amazing music with guidance of Dr.Dre and take rap music to the average American household. He's been there, done that in the Hip Hop world of "Superstardom".
But look at the flipside. He's not been able to ressurect his marriage, partly because he wrote so many songs against his teenage-love/wife. He's not able to spend quality time with his daughter, whom he loves so much that he reads her "Harry Potter" every night. His personal life quite frankly is on the verge of collapse. So his final appeal to his fans. "LEAVE ME ALONE". I understand his intentions. The man is wanting to set things straight in his life rather than going aroung asking people to kick out Prez Bush to improve their lives.
In Curtain Call, Eminem has killed Slim Shady. Shady was the alter-ego that catapulted him to what he is now. And an emotional appeal to his fans thro "When I'm Gone" will make anyone who listens to it, burst in tears. I place it along with the best lyrically touching songs I've ever heard in any genre. "When I'm Gone" is a message to his fans not to mourn when he's gone but to cherish every time they hear his voice.
Eminem is an inspiration to the next generation of hip hop artists. He's the guy who made me sit up and listen to what he said. He's also my inspiration to dig into Hip Hop history and discover THE best lyricists like Pac, Biggie & NAS. He's the guy who showed that if you got the skill, you can make people notice you. He may be heralded as a no-good, white-trash, foul-mouthed, screwed up kid from Detroit, Michigan who bullied his way into the limelight but for a fan like me, he's the guy who changed lives. Marshall Mathers will still continue to appear on guest spots, release tracks thro his radio Shade45 and may even cut an album with D12. What he is quitting is making any more SOLO albums. But you never know! How long can he stay from the mic?
As Eminem takes a final bow to the audience who wanted him to be on stage forever, he walks into a territory not seen by him before. The softer side of him has to set his personal relationships straight. He need a timeout from the spotlight to make amends. This is a "second" chance for him to reclaim his on/off relationship with his wife. He's apparantly going to remarry her. The Legend of Eminem will live forever. The guy who changed the face of Hip Hop is walking away. And one last appeal from him is for his fans not to follow him. Go Marshall! I, as a fan, wish you success in the quest to set your life straight. Live Happyily Ever After. PEACE......
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