Eminem takes listeners on a final psycho journey in “The Death of Slim Shady” (This review includes the deluxe version).

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TOP 5 SONGS

Honorable Mention. Head Honcho (Ft. Ez Mil)

I really like this track.

Hearing the parallels between Ez Mil and Eminem is fascinating, especially in their collaboration “Head Honcho.” In this track, Ez sounds like Eminem’s early, hungry version, delivering his verses with tons of grit and confidence. On the other hand, Eminem seems almost paternal, showcasing pride as he shares the track with Ez. Em also uses the opportunity to critique rappers who don’t meet his standards and critics who demand constant reinvention. Despite Em’s dynamic rap style, there’s a calmness in his tone that I find a little strange (When crazy people are calm, I get scared).

Honorable. Guilty Conscience 2 (Ft. Dr. Dre)

Oh, how the tables have turned.

In “Guilty Conscience 2,” Slim Shady confronts Eminem, questioning why he no longer addresses various controversial topics. He also implores him to continue dissing Christopher Reeves, MGK, Will Smith, and Ja Rule. The track escalates into a scenario where Eminem and Slim Shady engage in a violent altercation over a gun, resulting in Eminem ultimately shooting and killing Slim. Despite the twist that it was all a dream, the narrative suggests a commentary on Eminem’s approach to resolving his past feuds and controversies… I think.

5. Fuel (Ft. JID)

Please pass the baton to JID, Eminem.

In “Fuel,” JID raps like several months of rent is due. His two impressive flows, especially one that’s so relentless it could crash your iPhone, will f**king amaze you. Eminem, on the other hand, goes wild on the track with various intense flows and takes shots at figures like Diddy, randomly lies about his height, and references Alec Baldwin’s unfortunate shooting incident. Since Em’s words are delivered through pretty lofty punchlines, these people can’t get offended, right?

4. Houdini

A whole generation of people don’t know what they just heard (Remember, “Without Me” came out in 2002).

Eminem sounds like his old, playful self in “Houdini.” Throughout the track, he talks about caring less if he gets canceled and wanting to collaborate with Megan Thee Stallion to “have a shot at her feet” (Ouch). He also sends “f**k yous” out to Paul Rosenberg (His manager), Dr. Dre, and his kids. Yeah, he went bonkers here.

I know many of you so-called hip-hop heads want to hear Eminem knock heads off, but I like his approach to this track. “Houdini” is powered by a fun-loving, “Without Me”-like beat that is very nostalgic. While Em’s lyrics are all over the place (Especially in the first verse), he flows well and drops a pretty hypnotic chorus. It’s everything else in the background that’s crazy.

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3. Evil

“Evil” reminds me of the filler tracks from Eminem’s earlier work.

In “Evil,” Eminem discusses topics like meth addiction, violence against his stepdad, and battling inner demons. While I do not endorse evil in any way (I’m trying to get into heaven, guys), the track’s chilling, old-school hip-hop beat captures attention, featuring DJ scratches reminiscent of Eminem’s earlier work. Also, Eminem’s concise yet progressively intense rap style throughout the song, alongside a mesmerizing hook, adds to the track’s haunting allure, almost suggesting a possessed presence.

2. Habits (Ft. White Gold)

N***a, take your ass to rehab.

In “Habits,” Eminem unleashes without restraint, poking fun at various groups, including calling people midgets, mocking those who are mentally slow, flipping off critics, and confronting LGBTQ individuals. He also unabashedly confirms his addiction to controversy.

The track rides on a starry/dark beat reminiscent of the Slim Shady LP era. Eminem’s performance oscillates between sounding like a delicate but provocative child scientist and an unfeeling machine. As for White Gold, his hook stands out as one of the album’s highlights, fueling Eminem to embody his most audacious persona yet.

1. Tobey (Ft. Big Sean & BabyTron)

Is Tobey the best Spider-Man (I prefer Andrew Garfield)?

Tobey Maguire can officially be labeled the GOAT, with Eminem naming a track after him. That said, this track, which is driven by a graceful hip-hop beat that I love, is definitely on some rap superhero s**t. For starters, it features a slick, clever verse and hook by BabyTron, where he finds numerous ways to claim he’s the one. As for Big Sean, he delivers an aggressive verse, talking about his unbreakable mentality and wads of clout. Finally, we get a surprisingly chill verse by Eminem, where he warns his competition about dissing him, speaks on his resilience, and toys with a complex flow that will have your head in a spin cycle. Overall, I like the trio’s chemistry.

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SONG-BY-SONG RATING

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RGM RATING

(C+) (79%)

Slim Shady’s last act is a fun and wild one.

Eminem is one of those rappers who is so versatile that you can choose which version of him you want to hear. While I prefer the lighthearted version of Em, every once in a while, I don’t mind hearing the serious side that speaks on how much he hates his mom and loves his daughter. In The Death Of Slim Shady, we get to hear all of the Slim Shadys we’ve ever known, and as someone who has followed him throughout the years, it’s f**king awesome to witness.

Before delving into Eminem’s rap performances on this album, it’s important to commend the production team for capturing the essence of Slim Shady across different eras—from his playful demeanor to his darker and more introspective moments. Eminem’s involvement in the production deserves applause for rejuvenating these themes.

Lyrically, this album sees Slim Shady on steroids. Throughout The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), he lets the r-words, f-words, and b-words fly (Thankfully, he doesn’t let the n-word fly) and tackles controversial subjects with his signature audacity. His targets range from Christopher Reeves and Caitlin Jenner to Megan Thee Stallion for some odd reason.

From a technical standpoint, Eminem’s rapping is a standout. His verses are packed with punchlines that effortlessly balance cheesy humor and sharp wit. They also boast unbelievable wordplay, ungodly flows, and noteworthy animation. It’s fair to say that Eminem delivered one of his most impressive performances on record with this project.

Eminem definitely forces his so-called wicked Slim Shady persona in this album, reminiscent of an uncle trying to prove he’s still relevant by indulging in youthful antics. Yet, despite any reservations, Eminem’s distinctive sound and infectious energy make this album a genuinely eyebrow-raising listen.

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