The return of Eminem

Only the future can say if Eminem is truly one of the greatest rap artists in the history of popular music. But I am not surprised to hear or read that he is already being described as such. This guy not only has talent, he is also on a constant roller coaster ride that keeps fans in suspense. Come to think of it, he has actually been living on a day-to-day mode these past 10 years, with no idea as to what he will find or if he will make it to the next. Eminem is on an up period nowadays and is doing great with a new album that is of course another big hit.

Eminem has sold over 75 million albums worldwide. His latest Relapse, his first after five years is increasing that figure fast. Then from there are The Slim Shady LP in 1999; The Marshall Mathers LP in 2000; The Eminem Show in 2002; and Encore in 2004. There are also the compilations like the double platinum Curtain Call: The Hits from 2005, and the also platinum Eminem Presents: The Re-Up with various artists in 2007.

He also found time to write a book, Eminem: The Way I Am, a sort of journal about his thoughts, stories and memories. It debuted at No. 11 in The New York Times Best-Seller list. Just think of the number of writers in this world dreaming of making in that list. The feat brought back to mind how Eminem bested established songwriters at the Academy Awards when his theme for the semi-autobiographical 8 Mile won the Oscar.

Two years ago though, this Slim Shady was already being written off as wasted and almost dead as a doornail. He was depressed, addicted to drugs, and unable to work. He also OD’d on some pills but was thankfully rescued on time. He went into rehab. But soon relapsed and started using again. Nobody expected to see him back on his feet and rapping. But the guy is a survivor. He went into rehab again and is now working doubly hard to stay clean day after day after day.

What makes Eminem different from other artists who are trying to shake off the habit is how he made good use of his troubled period. He made a CD and because he relapsed, he titled it Relapse. Take a look at his picture on the cover. It is a computer portrait made out of pills just like those he does not want to pop anymore. Then inside, some cuts talk his experience with drugs and the effect this has on his life. It is confessional and his honesty is such that one cannot but hope he has now cleansed himself of his demons.

His approach to his material can be unsettling. This is too dramatic, too angry, but it is also real. His poetry though, and that is how I see rap, the poetry of the streets of America, is excellent and any listener, even those not attuned to rap will be impressed by the quality of his writing. On the other hand though, he also has what it takes to be his old self, the rapper who disses urban blights with a witty, objective stance and lots of black humor. As for the music, it is catchy and like his pills, addicting. Relapse should put anybody in awe of how artists and producers put rap albums together. Thanks to the music they make what is usually sick, mesmerizing.

Producer Dr. Dre who did another excellent job with Relapse and rap star 50 Cent join Eminem in the first single Crack A Bottle and in one of the most commercial cuts Old Time’s Sake. The real winners here though are the ones with the hot beats that go to your head and stay there like Same Song and Dance, Must Be Ganja and My Mom. But if you want something different, there is Bagpipes from Baghdad and for something weirder than Eminem’s usual, there is Underground.

Eminem is back and this is one case, you can truly describe, as with a vengeance.