Criticisms of Eminem's 10th studio LP Revival rocked the internet for a solid couple months shortly after it's release in December of 2017. While the project was mildly successful sales-wise (197k physicals sold first week, 267k pure sales when including streaming), fans and critics alike again took to bashing the (at the time) latest Eminem project, with some saying that it sounded too commercial and "bubble gum pop-ish", others saying that Em doesn't know how to make a rap record anymore, and so on. While some of those sentiments are painstakingly easy to agree with, I have been an Eminem fan since the release of his 2002 opus The Eminem Show (his best album, and it's not close), and I must say being an Eminem fan at this point is overly exhausting; dodging every nook and cranny from both trolling Twitter and Facebook users, talking about how "the Marshall Mathers LP is one of the greatest hip hop records of all time", and "nobody is lyrically on Eminem's level", and how "nobody uses that anger and frustration better than the 'Rap God' himself." Can't... stop... shaking... my... head. One thing to respect about Eminem's entire career up to this point is how he's used that anger and controlled rage to pinpoint problems he sees and shine a beaming bright light upon them, like a giant Gatman signal in the sky. So with all of that dissing, all of that "Venom"-spewing, president hating, mumble rap bashing, lyrical miracle spit... wouldn't it seem like Kamikaze is the answer to that lack of fire? So then comes the burning question; does Kamikaze hit it's target, or does it fire rapidly in any and every which way possible with no particular direction? Read on to find out.
Chasing The Current Sound That He's Making Fun Of
So in response to all of the hate that Revival got, Eminem is back with a vengeance to essentially shit on not only his critics, but also the current state of hip hop; which in his defense... may have been the proper plan of attack; had he done it more coordinated without a care for selling albums, about 5 years ago. It's too grainy a picture to be able to pinpoint exactly how an Eminem album is supposed to sound these days, but as of the last 3 (Recovery, MMLP2, and Revival) there seems to be a certain poppy, radio friendly theme throughout the album that sounds nothing like the real Slim Shady would make (in fact, the "Real Slim Shady" would probably take a shit on the CD INSIDE OF THE STORE without even buying it), but on Kamikaze, Eminem includes a refreshing change of pace to his music. While some can be refreshing ("The Ringer"), other songs are direct and blatant parodies of the sound that Em is expressing his deep hatred for so much ("Lucky You", "Not Alike"), while others don't even sound like songs Em even wants to make ("Normal"). While "Lucky You" fits in sound wise by today's rap and hit standards, based on Eminem's past discography and, well... really everything he's ever stood for, "Lucky You" sounds more like Em trying to fit in to the rap climate than make his attempts at raising the bar like he once used to (I still VERY much would like to hear what Em's version of 4:44 sounds like), though one solid takeaway from the song is that Em is finally using his platform to put on the newer, talented and hungry artists who deserve shine (Joyner Lucas). Certainly makes you wonder what would have happened earlier on if Em may have decided to put some of his actual signed artists like Yelawolf or Slaughterhouse (R.I.P.) on his albums... All I can say is, good luck Westside Gun and Conway!
Hungry Eminem That Creates His Best Work
https://open.spotify.com/track/28FGV3ORH14MYORd7s5dlU
(*Spotify link for "Not Alike" featuring Royce Da 5'9*)
All throughout Eminem's career, he's been the rap game Rocky Balboa; constantly being chastised, ridiculed, critiqued, cast out, and had his back against the wall. And while his anger is something that people seem to see at some point during every single one of his albums (he even said in his latest Sway interview that he likes being angry), he always finds ways to use that anger to turn into inspiration for something good musically (well, maybe "good" is a strong word, but most times it's not). Kamikaze's high point lies in the entire theme of the album, which starts with the title; bombing on everybody without caring about what is said, who is hurt, or what comes of the aftermath. Kamikaze can't be compared to any of Em's past albums musically, but mindset wise, Em is at his hungriest. Em's now infamous MGK back and forth is the kind of thing the Detroit emcee froths at the mouth for, dissing people who diss him and praying they respond back, and Kamikaze is the epitome of Shady going for broke; leaving all of his cards out on the table in an attempt for one last "fuck you" before he rides out into the sunset on his own terms. The second part on "Not Alike" with long time collaborator and fellow Detroit emcee Royce Da 5'9, Eminem goes for the throat after switching the beat to some ominous, "hell-to-pay" types of foreshadowing that showcases what can come from an Eminem diss (and was given with "Killshot"). But the disses are not only on "Not Alike", but can be found sprinkled in strategic places all throughout the album. The hook on the same song is a direct shot at Migos' biggest hit "Bad & Boujee", and if you wish to see all of the disses on the album and who they're aimed at, check out this cool video from Genius. While some may view Kamikaze as an old man getting angry at the ever changing times (which I'll also discuss later), other long time Eminem listeners will know that angry Shady is Shady at his most comfortable, and most potent.
"Venom" Is Eminem At His Best... Period
https://open.spotify.com/track/2SL6oP2YAEQbqsrkOzRGO4
(*"Venom" Spotify Link*)(*I do not own these songs, or the rights to them*)
So I haven't see any production credits for Kamikaze yet, but it's probably safe to say that whoever handled the production on "Venom" should handle Eminem's entire next album. "Venom" is another shining example of what Em is capable of, yet another burning question that frustrates his fans; why aren't your albums as good as your soundtrack songs?! An interesting facet of Em's career when you really think about it, and when you think about the last soundtrack that Em has curated and exclusively handled himself just in the last few years alone, Southpaw (which included insane songs like "Phenomenal" and bad Meets Evil's "Raw"), you really start to wonder if Em is more inspired using other people's lives as motivation to create instead of his own; because maybe in not only our minds, but it Em's mind as well, he has said everything there is to say (talks of his mother, ex-wife Kim Mathers, his daughters Hailie and Alaina, drug abuse, coming up in the slums of Detroit, etc.). Is it time for Em to create a concept album that hopefully sounds nothing like Relapse (kind of joking, I enjoyed a decent amount of songs on Relapse)? certainly an interesting album idea for a man who has seemed to have said it all about his own life. You've said all there is to say about your own life Em, now how would you feel about creating a whole new concept about another's life (ala Good Kid Maad City)? If there's anyone who has the ability to do it, it's Eminem; the actor, rapper and writer (see "Stan", 8 Mile or The Wash for references).
The overall message that Em is trying to get across throughout Kamikaze is appreciated from an old head's perspective like mine, but the delivery (like the album's title) is much too wild, inaccurate, poorly aimed, and executed. I (and probably along with a lot of older Eminem fans) had been waiting for an Eminem album that throws away that radio-friendly, pop music featuring the likes of Ed Sheeran, Alicia Keys and Beyoncé, and adds more of the hungry rapping persona that we had seen so much of from Em in the early 2000s. For being such a die hard hip hop advocate the way he talks in his interviews (and even the hip hop shirts he wears), Eminem has never been the one to take hip hop straight back to it's roots (which he almost promised to do in 2013 after the release of "Berserk"), and though this album's sound is a huge refresher considering the album he had just followed up (a terrible comparison in terms of "getting better"), in the back of my mind I suppose I'll always expect more from what many may consider a top 5 rapper of all time (and I think he's the greatest in every facet, besides musically). Without Dr. Dre behind the boards of Eminem's albums anymore, it's very hard to find enjoyment in almost anything Eminem does musically. Harsh criticisms of a rap legend, I know, but to love something (or someone) you must also hate it (or them) at times. Since I'm putting all of my thoughts out into the universe, here's what I want from another Eminem album; Dr. Dre production (throughout another ENTIRE album, not just a couple songs), that same hungry and angry (yet calculated) subject matter that we've seen from him in the past (which is one of the few things this album was good for), fitting rap features (including not only new up and coming artists, but artists that Em is supposedly FRIENDS with and has on his label, not just Royce; support your label mates for once Em...), and Em's hand at some actual grown up content (not to compare, but as I said earlier, Em needs his own version of 4:44 now). Here's to hoping Eminem can put out 1 more classic album before he finally hangs up the mic.
