Back in December, Eminem (born Marshall Mathers) thought he had it with his ninth studio album, “Revival.”
When reviewing that album, I noted that “if the title of his album is supposed to mean a revival of his career, I promise you this, this is the equivalent of providing a defibrillator to a corpse that’s been dead since 2005.”
It was an album unbecoming of a such a gifted rapper. And that’s saying something when you remember that Mathers is one of the most talented rappers who’s ever grabbed a microphone.
But, on Friday, Mathers flipped the script on all of us, dropping a surprise album, his tenth studio album titled “Kamikaze.”
Just starting from the album cover, it’s a fitting tribute to the Beastie Boys’ 1986 debut album “License to Ill.”
Tried not 2 overthink this 1… enjoy. ?#KAMIKAZE Out Now – https://t.co/ANw73KbwMt pic.twitter.com/qfQoTYBTUy
— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) August 31, 2018
Eminem, who relied heavily on political rhetoric and dissing President Trump over the last few years, references Trump and Vice President Mike Pence early on in the album’s first track “The Ringer.” However, instead of “Revival” where he dedicated a whole song to Trump in “Like Home,” Eminem was more subdued, addressing his 2017 BET freestyle in which he blasted Trump and his supporters.
“But if I could go back, I’d at least reword it
And say I empathize with the people this evil serpent
Sold the dream to that he’s deserted
But I think it’s workin’, these verses
Are makin’ him a wee bit nervous
And he’s too scurred to answer me with words
‘Cause he knows that he will lyrically get murdered
But I know at least he’s heard it
‘Cause Agent Orange just sent the Secret Service
To meet in person, to see if I really think of hurtin’ him
Or ask if I’m linked to terrorists
I said, “Only when it comes to ink and lyricists.”
Beyond those lines, Eminem spends most of his time on the album laying into his critics and the rap genre, in general. He doesn’t have to rely on politics because being provocative and insulting everyone under the sun is what made his music so enjoyable.
Besides “The Ringer,” Eminem’s songwriting and wordplay really shine on “Lucky You,” “Normal,” and “Kamikaze.”
It’s the type of comeback a superstar artist like him needed. For hip hop aficionados, it’s reminiscent of when Nas dropped “Stillmatic” or when Ghostface Killah put out “Fishscale” after they both put out two subpar projects prior.
It’s classic Slim Shady. And in a summer of derivative music where everyone is getting out of their cars to sing to KeKe, it’s just what rap fans need.
