Poor women — especially poor women of color — are easy scapegoats for many societal problems. Might we have some compassion for her as we are asked to for him?
Why was she constantly struggling financially? How did educational inequities and lack of employment opportunities affect her life, her family experiences, her education level, her dreams, her ability to be a good parent? As a woman, how did sexism shape her choices? What was her personal history, including her history with men? Was she ever abused? We know a lot of women with substance abuse problems develop them as a form of self-medication against the effects of trauma.
What is the connection between Ms. A more thoughtful approach would seek to understand their plight, and while such an understanding would provide no excuse for abusive behavior if that is what Eminem actually experienced , it would give it much-needed context.
Unfortunately, this context is notably absent from much political discourse — and from 8 Mile. We understand that lyrics are usually not meant to be taken literally. And we think we have a good sense of humor. Millions of American girls and women are assaulted by men each year. According to the U. Gay-bashing is a serious problem all over the country.
Music lyrics and other art forms can either in some way illuminate these problems, or they can cynically exploit them. Eminem is arguably a major force in the latter category. But what exactly is he rebelling against? Powerful women who oppress weak and vulnerable men? Omnipotent gays and lesbians who make life a living hell for straight people? Instead, he is only a rebel in a very narrow sense of that word.
The Marshall Mathers LP! Come get your Slim Shady! Context is everything. The KKK are rebels, too. They boast about it all the time. They fly the Confederate rebel flag. For more information, go to www. Revival was easy food for critics who wouldn't give one of rap's hardest a break for making what he thought was a politically sound album.
They let the chopper sing, angering Eminem, who believed that the album was much better than they made it out to be. Even now, on Kamikaze , Em is letting everyone know who he dislikes. But with so much of the album's animosity pointed towards his detractors, it's hard to take any of his criticisms of his contemporaries as more than misshapen strays. Through streams of filler that aim to stuff more syllables in them than brown rice in Chipotle bowls, Em lets everyone know that those who don't like his contemporary music are at fault.
For what, we're not entirely sure. From the opening seconds of "The Ringer," Em makes his anger extremely clear with: "I feel like punching the world in the fucking face right now. In this brief moment of transparency, Em revealed what makes him nervous: not that the game isn't for him anymore, but that he's not for the game. Rap producers go just as viral as artists these days.
He can add a rap paragon to his list now with Eminem's "Not Alike. But Eminem is clearly outside of his element here, utilizing a weird start-stop flow that just sounds meager. His lack of understanding what makes Tay Keith's beats pop only grows more glaring in the face of the lates inspired "Stepping Stone.
Em's perfectly capable when creating in avenues that he understands; he's not quite as successful when trying to blend in with the younger crowd. Maybe he's trying to place the medicine in the candy. Too bad it doesn't work out. The return to Slim Shady, as evident on the excessively angry "Fall," has either one of two possible meanings.
Either Shady is listening to the part of his fanbase that believes that his best work came when he was doused in controversial intent, and he's afraid to embrace the next step in his artistic journey, frightened away by the critical and commercial reception of Revival. Or, it's an indicator of both; a man on the verge of indecisiveness, hesitant to realize that the spotlight has moved itself from its perch directly over his head.
While Kamikaze is more technically sound and prevents a drastic step back, unlike Revival before it, the album doesn't break new ground either. He's also quick to channel his contempt for his peers and underlings, yet also content to play in their playground instead of overstepping it. For a genre iconoclast above most of the game, he doesn't act like it. His penchant for blame feels more juvenile than any of his immature lyrics.
Kamikaze ultimately sounds good, but its evil is exhausting. He's the only rapper of the bunch who I could actually see going on a murderous rampage. Most of his stuff I'm not a huge fan of but a few of his songs are good. That new one with Rhianna for example, it's not just catchy but he has a way with lyrics that guys going on about rims and cash can never touch.
Krazy4Real Lifer. Oct 3, 12, 55 Feb 15, 11, 0 LTC8K6 Lifer. Mar 10, 28, 1, BlahBlahYouToo said:. Nov 30, 50, He's angry because he can't figure out how to stop sucking. Jan 23, 14, 7 I'm a space bound rocket ship and your hearts tha mooooooooon. SP33Demon Lifer. Jun 22, 27, Because he's from Detroit, duh. Nerva Platinum Member. Jul 26, 2, 0 0. Love the Way you Lie, that song is awesome. Saint Nick Lifer. Jan 21, 17, 5 Because he named himself after a chocolate candy. You must log in or register to reply here.
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