Eminem - "The Slim Shady LP"

Eminem released “The Slim Shady LP” on February 23, 1999 on Aftermath/Interscope Records. “The Slim Shady LP” is a stark change from Eminem’s debut “Infinite”, which was featured a light and hopeful Eminem. Eminem is said to have created the alias Slim Shady, in order to vent his frustrations with trying have a career in music and just life in general. “The Slim Shady LP” is brash and appalling but it is presented in a skillful and comedic way that makes Eminem endearing. The album’s production was handled primarily by Detroit-natives the Bass Brothers, who are responsible for a lot of the beats on Eminem’s early work. The album also features Dr. Dre, both as a rapper and a producer, and all though he was only directly involved on 3 tracks, his influence can be felt throughout the entire album. “The Slim Shady LP” won a Grammy for Best Rap Album in 2000 and his song “My Name Is” won a Grammy for Best Solo Rap Performance in the same year. “The Slim Shady LP” is the foundation of a career that has seen Eminem become the best-selling Hip Hop artist of all time and one of the best Emcees of all time.

Guest review with Dom (@dominiqueblea) and Mike T. (@mike_t_bvnm)

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Chris: Dom, what is about Eminem that is so appealing to you?

Dom: Everyone wants to claim that they just don't give a fuck while still sticking to who they really are, and Marshall Mathers was able to do that while conquering the Rap world. He earned that distinction with the ability to tell a story in a flow that reminded me of Pac, and a presence that cut through all stereotypes. All of a sudden a White boy with a durag was able to rap side by side with Mr. Chronic himself, and the world had forever been turned upside down.

He talked about all the things we'd day dream about, but were too afraid to every put into words. In today's world where our ambitions revolve around society's recognitions, a trophy or public approval was the last thing he gave a fuck about. And even then he didn't want it. He put on blast all the fake happy people living in their little bubbles, too ignorant to recognize the struggle, while giving the kid with anxiety a voice.

Eminem – “Rock Bottom”

 

Chris: Yes! I agree. Thank you, Dom!

So, Eminem isn’t satirical ALL of the time and his lyrics aren’t intended for shock value all the time either and it’s not always easy to discern which he is going for on a particular track. I can’t help wonder how “The Slim Shady LP” would be received if it came today. In your opinion, which track would be the most offensive if it came out today and what do you think of Eminem’s chances of becoming one of the best and best-selling rappers of all-time if the “The Slim Shady LP” was released today?

Mike T.: You want my honest opinion? Honestly I think it's not just one track that can be picked. This album was on another level. He had nothing to lose so the censorship was non-existent. Take ‘Guilty Conscience” for instance. The second verse with Stan Slim in trying to convince Stan to take advantage of a 15 year old drunk girl that he told to slip a date rape drug. Then you have “’97 Bonnie and Clyde.” “Telling his daughter that he's killed her Mom, and she's in the trunk. He even tells his daughter to help him tie the rope around her legs. I personally can't pick just one track because the thing in the end is when you hear those satirical tracks it's full blown Slim Shady, and there's no boundaries with Shady. If Eminem came out today I don't think he would have blown up the way he did. People get too easily offended by everything, and anything. This album was already edgy for its time. Yet it was so popular as well. Even though the point of a lot of his songs was just to be outlandish people wouldn't be able to see that its satire. Even in comedy today stand up or sit com. Satire doesn't have the effect it did 15+ years ago. This album is a gem in the sense that it encapsulates Shady in that he said, and did what he wanted.

Dom: I love the fact that when we think of Em one of the first words that comes to mind is satirical. If you've lived through this life with honesty, you've felt those homicidal ideations sporadically. This world isn't intended to be without them. Yes, he does sprinkle his truth with a heavy dose of sarcasm, which makes it fun, and sometimes hard to swallow. Taking a step back, reflecting, digesting, the first word that should come to mind is genius. 

In discussing his satirical nature, it's best depicted in “97 Bonnie & Clyde”, and that would also be the most offensive song today if the album was just released. “The Slim Shady LP” was as if we discovered water on Mars, and today would have an even bigger impact. We weren't ready for “The Slim Shady LP” back then, and today we still wouldn't be able to understand its true greatness. Mumbling along with the current climate of hip hop, it would sell, but not at the rate of a Lil Baby or Uzi. Even through his greatness, it would not peak in 2020 like it did in 1999.

Chris: I was going to say “97 Bonnie and Clyde” for sure, especially when you know the back story behind the song. Eminem had picked up his daughter under the pretense that he was taking her to Chuck E. Cheese but he actually he took her to the studio to record. The little girl you hear on “97 Bonnie and Clyde” is his actual daughter Hailey. But anyway, I think Mike make a good point, what group did he leave alone? He even went after other White rappers! Everyone gets a chance to be offended. I can’t see this doing as well as it did coming out today but who knows, Dom could be right!

Eminem – “97 Bonnie and Clyde”

 

Chris: Why do you think the album and Eminem were so well received at the time? Do you think it had to do with Dr. Dre backing the project?

Mike T.: I definitely think Dre had a huge play into how Em was received. But if you think about it he was a triple threat with his entrance. You had a white guy that came from the trailer park. Backed by Dr. Dre. but he could rap. No one was ready for that. Besides the Beastie Boys, in my opinion White boys just didn't hold up well in the Hip Hop scene. Then comes Eminem. Dre struck gold with him. But Em put in the work to be successful. The Slim Shady LP was Em's moment to lay it all on the table. That's what he did, and with Dr. Dre backing and producing his album it was a recipe for success. 

Dom: The album was so well received due to the content. The format that it was broadcast, and for the time it was rejuvenating. We were caught in a time machine being flooded with "No Scrubs" and Britney Spears. Eminem came in and said fuck you to everyone, pissed on Grammy's before Kanye West had a chance, and unleashed an assault we had never witness before. Dre definitely played a large part due to his west coast backing, and diamond accolades. The partnership was a match made and further propelled the project past its wildest dreams.

Eminem – “My Name Is”

 

Chris: Speaking of shock rappers, another one that comes to mind is Tyler, the Creator. While researching for this album, I found a couple of interviews where Tyler regards Eminem as his favorite rapper of all-time but he also has said that Eminem “pick(s) some of the worst beats ever.” I agree with Tyler on this one. Other than the first few albums, Eminem’s other work have missed the mark for me. I would actually argue that “The Slim Shady LP” is his best album, beat-wise. Would you all concur with that statement? And why or why not?

Dom: No, I would actually suggest that "Recovery" be considered for best beats album when it comes to his arsenal. You notice the maturity when it comes to the beats and how he's embraced the change in the Rap landscape. In addition, the biggest win over for me was him taking accountability for "Relapse" being a flop and reestablishing himself as a force.

Mike T.: I never really noticed that to be honest. His beats were always pretty different from your typical hip hop beats in my opinion. But you I don’t really think that’s what makes Eminem songs what they are. His lyrics outshine his beats for me. I’d have to go through his discography to really get a feel for this.  

Chris: While doing research on this album, I found an interview with Ice-T in which he said that the difference between Eminem and other white rappers from the past is that Eminem rapped his self and the way he grew up in the trailer park and his life experience. I tend to agree, every other white rapper I can think of before Eminem rapped about things that were already pretty prevalent in Hip Hop. Is this something that makes Eminem more appealing to you? 

Dom: Of course, him embracing his upbringing for all its tortures is the most appealing feat. Anyone can rap about cars and women, but very few can rap about being a monster while offering clarity at the same time.

Chris: I agree. I’m more interested in hearing about the way that others experience the world rather than something I’ve heard over 100 times before. This definitely adds to the appeal of the album and Eminem for me. 

Mike T: Definitely. It goes back to earlier when you even mentioned he was really good at making fun of himself. He used his experiences, and where he came from to a creative positive for him and his career. I agree with Dom in that anyone can talk about money, cars, and women. Yet Em rapped about the all the screwed up experiences he went through, and the messed up thoughts in his head. That shock factor just pulled you in. 

Chris: Did you have any favorite tracks?

Dom: My favorite track is “Rock Bottom”

Mike T.: Gonna start it off with an obvious one. "My Name Is" its just such a catchy song to start the album with. "Guilty conscience" in pair with its music video. I love the back and forth between Dre and Em. Then you throw the music video into the mix. You get to see Em's comedic personality. Plus, it’s a music video when music videos actually followed the story of a song. The video was a visual representation of the song. Not just him rapping in a room like videos are nowadays.  "Role Model"  one of my favorite lines from this song is "You beef with me, I'mma even the score equally. Take you on Jerry Springer and beat your ass legally."  He goes throw just scenario after scenario of him being a degenerate. Seems like a perfect role model to me. The last track "Still Don't Give A F*ck" is a track that he i think it ends on the perfect feel that he didn't care what people thought. "Yo this blunt's for you. To all the people I've offended. Yeah, fuck you too!" 

Jerry Springer Best Fights!

 

 Chris: Dom, “Rock Bottom” is a really underrated song. I just always dig those personal, self-reflective songs. For me, hands down, my favorite track is “Role Model”. It, in my opinion, is the song that best represents Eminem at the time. I think this the first song on the album where he really displays his skills as a rapper. You hear Eminem, the battle rapper, the emcee. Eminem, the humorist. Eminem, the shock rapper. It’s funny to listen to it now and hear all the references, it’s obviously a song that came out in 1999. I think “Role Model” also is the best beat on the album. Produced by Dr. Dre, it did not have a sample.

Eminem – “Role Model”

 

Chris: I remember hearing Dave Chappelle talk once about the relationship between comedians and musicians. Comedians want to be musicians and musicians think that they are funny. Seldom are comedians great musicians and they’re probably aren’t too many musicians who are very funny. Eminem being one of the outliers, in my opinion. He’s a gifted storyteller, he’s got great comedic timing, he can be very animated, he doesn’t mind using his self as the subject matter and he’s very clever with his word play. Are there any moments on this album that you found particularly funny and what do you think the value of comedy in music is?

Mike T: Eminem was a great storyteller. That was one of the big reasons why he was such a talented artist. I can see where Dave is going with that statement. From my point of view on this, I think he's touching on the way that musicians can captivate a crowd.  Comedians can do that to a point. With comedians if someone starts chatting, or heckles in the middle of their set it’s a complete distraction. When a musician is playing if someone is having a conversation they can't hear that. The only time they can get heckled is when the music isn't playing. Now when you apply this to Eminem you get the best of both worlds with this album. He can clown on himself or society. Talk absurdly, and say whatever he wants. I stated this line in the previous question "You beef with me, I'mma even the score equally. Take you on Jerry Springer and beat your ass legally." That line stood out cause when he says this you could totally picture Eminem being a troll on the set of Springer taunting some dude while being held back by Steve Wilkos. That's the comedic picture that Em has the ability to paint. Some might not find it that funny, but even “97 Bonnie and Clyde” how he’s involving Hailey in her Mom’s murder. The whole time you hear Hailey throughout the track in moments of excitement. Like when he asks her if she wants to help him build a sand castle. It’s a dark moment or act that has and is happening, but she’s so young and hearing her just added depth to it. Then you have the typical “My Name Is.” Right of asking kids if they like violence? Do they want to see him stick 9 inch nails through each one of his eyelids? The shock factor is there, but to me it’s funny because it’s so out there from typical rap you would hear. Even now you wouldn't hear a rapper saying something like that. Then he has the music video to go along with it. Having this Pee Wee Hermon vibe. He really did hit the nail on the head with the line "Shady, wait a minute, that's my girl, dawg! I don't give a fuck, God sent me to piss the world off!" and that’s exactly what he did when he hit the scene. So many pissed off mothers. Looking back it’s funny to picture your sitcom Mother getting upset with a kid listening to Shady.

Chris: I took him more literally, kind of like basketball players wanting to rap and rappers wanting to play basketball but I see the where you’re trying to go with that. I would probably say the funniest one to me was “My Fault”. Eminem is really gifted when it comes to these, I don’t know what you want to call them, but dialogue raps (?) “Dave, pull up your pants/ We need an ambulance/There’s a girl upstairs talking to plants”. I personally place a lot of value on comedy in my Hip Hop. I’m a big fan of Cam’ron and it’s mostly because I think he is funny. I’d say the same thing about someone like Paul Wall.

Dom: I sit parallel with you two in the fact that he was great storyteller with a knack for comedic relief. After listening to the album for probably the 100th time since my ears lost their virginity to it in 1999, it's absolutely hilarious from top to bottom. The comedy is best captured in "Guilty Conscience" all the way to the skits when Paul is calling him to say "cool it down". Comedy and music are similar in that they're a release for us, while at the same time listening to story we can relate with. 

Eminem feat. Dr. Dre – “Guilty Conscience”

 

 Ronald Stein – “Go Home Pigs”

 

Chris: How do YOU feel about the “The Slim Shady LP” in 2020? Has it stood the test of time for you?

Dom: It has aged like a fine wine, and makes even more sense to me that it did then, which is the beauty of the album. When it first dropped it was preposterous, unsettling, shook our foundation and now looking back, he was ahead of his time, and the message was meant for 2020. God help humanity!

Chris: The only Eminem albums I’ve really ever been into are this one and the “Marshall Mathers LP”, so I was going into this review as a fan of the album and actually, I enjoyed it more this time around. It’s funny how your sensibilities will change as you get older. I remember listening to this back when it came out and there wasn’t really anything that was said stood out is particularly offensive. Listening to it in 2020, it was a lot of shaking my head while nodding it, but I think the overall product is really good. I’m not sure about the other works in the Bass Brothers’ catalog but this one has to be up there for them and Eminem’s skills are on full display on tracks like “My Name is”, “Role Model” and the song with Royce da 5’9”. Eminem and Royce da 5’9” have done some collaborations together under the moniker Bad Meets Evil that are really good and really encourage you to check out. Random story but back in the day, I had it set up so that my computer would play the first 30 seconds of the instrumental to “Scary Movie” whenever it was turned on. Anyway, “The Slim Shady LP” is definitely an entertaining listen. 

Mike T.: I'd say yes! Also being older you get the references or jokes more throughout the album. I was 9 when this album came out so if I listened to the song I was just repeating words because those were the lyrics. I didn't know what he was talking about. Now though, I'd say I appreciate the humor, and the lyricism more because I'm old enough to. Eminem really broke the mold. He gave no fucks because what did he have to lose? Go balls to the wall, and it paid off. Making his mark on the world "The Slim Shady LP" has stood the test of time 21 years later. I might not have been able to really appreciate the album when it came out, but now that’s not a problem. This is something I really appreciate about doing these reviews is that a lot of these albums we've gone over have been early to later 90's so it’s a nice throwback to the good old days. Because being a 90's kid you heard this stuff growing up, but you don't get to listen to it or appreciate it like you can now.