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Unfortunately, as hip-hop becomes mainstreamed, digitized, and increasingly inclusive of a broader range of artists to choose from (or blindly download), the frustration at separating the wheat from the chaff – and the instinct to dismiss those that disappoint – allows us too easily to avoid witnessing an artist peak, fall, comeback and then grow. Once an artist fails, we often fool heartedly dismiss their art too quickly to search for the next big thing. The fault of this approach is apparent as soon as we look to the best art being produced in the past few years – Nas and Lil’ Wayne, for example, both had artistic nadirs (at midpoint for the former, at dawn for the latter), but those who were patient were able to experience the elevation of their art into something profound. Eminem’s latest album, “Recovery,” demonstrates one late example of how high unexpected artistic peaks can rise when the artist is allowed a chance to develop and hone his trade. Embracing the serious introspection that offered us some of the best songs of his earlier work, Eminem’s battle with drugs and depression is on full display in this album. Even though the leaked single, “Not Afraid,” is a surefire hit, one could be forgiven for thinking the Slim Shady jokester would show up on the rest of the album. However, despite not being the first song on the album, it sets up the album’s serious tone. Harking back to Eminem’s beginnings, “Recovery” brings listeners back to when he was embraced not just because of his superb lyrical talent, but because he offered a voice for disillusioned, young white people – those finding solace in hip-hop’s rejection of a society in which they also felt isolated, in which over-the-counter drugs often offer another recognizable comfort. “Recovery” takes us back to these humble beginnings, which Eminem had appeared to have lost for many reasons. He takes us on a lyrical journey to examine those reasons; allowing us a chance to learn and understand about his inner demons and depression, how he used drugs and alcohol to battle them, and how he has ultimately conquered them.Em spits in “Not Afraid,” “So I solemnly swear to always treat this roof like my daughters and raise it /You couldn’t lift a single shingle lonely /Cause the way I feel, I’m strong enough to go to the club/Or the corner pub and lift the whole liquor counter up /Cause I’m raising the bar, I shoot for the moon /But I’m too busy gazing at stars, I feel amazing and…/[Hook] I’m not afraid.” By facing the downsides of drug use head-on, Em opens up about a difficult problem nearly all of us can relate to – either because we are going through similar struggles, or because we’re close to someone who is. It is unfortunate when reviewers are quick to dismiss Eminem as simply a “pill popper,” treating the descriptions of his bouts with drugs as an aside, or as comic relief; they dismiss the gift of this work, as it can be – and should be – used to help those struggling with similar problems of self-destruction. In the song “Talkin’ 2 Myself,” Eminem lets listeners know that drug addiction is not limited to working stiffs, but includes celebrities such as himself. He allows us to know that he can be used as an outlet for those who need it: “Don’t let up, keep slayin em /Rest in Peace to DJ AM/ Cause I know what it’s like/ I struggle with this sh-t every single day.” In offering such honesty, Eminem seeks to expand his fan base not just to hip-hop heads, but anyone seeking to provide a voice toward recovery. And in doing that, he lets the artist within him truly shine.
4.8
2626 ratings
Unfortunately, as hip-hop becomes mainstreamed, digitized, and increasingly inclusive of a broader range of artists to choose from (or blindly download), the frustration at separating the wheat from the chaff – and the instinct to dismiss those that disappoint – allows us too easily to avoid witnessing an artist peak, fall, comeback and then grow. Once an artist fails, we often fool heartedly dismiss their art too quickly to search for the next big thing. The fault of this approach is apparent as soon as we look to the best art being produced in the past few years – Nas and Lil’ Wayne, for example, both had artistic nadirs (at midpoint for the former, at dawn for the latter), but those who were patient were able to experience the elevation of their art into something profound. Eminem’s latest album, “Recovery,” demonstrates one late example of how high unexpected artistic peaks can rise when the artist is allowed a chance to develop and hone his trade. Embracing the serious introspection that offered us some of the best songs of his earlier work, Eminem’s battle with drugs and depression is on full display in this album. Even though the leaked single, “Not Afraid,” is a surefire hit, one could be forgiven for thinking the Slim Shady jokester would show up on the rest of the album. However, despite not being the first song on the album, it sets up the album’s serious tone. Harking back to Eminem’s beginnings, “Recovery” brings listeners back to when he was embraced not just because of his superb lyrical talent, but because he offered a voice for disillusioned, young white people – those finding solace in hip-hop’s rejection of a society in which they also felt isolated, in which over-the-counter drugs often offer another recognizable comfort. “Recovery” takes us back to these humble beginnings, which Eminem had appeared to have lost for many reasons. He takes us on a lyrical journey to examine those reasons; allowing us a chance to learn and understand about his inner demons and depression, how he used drugs and alcohol to battle them, and how he has ultimately conquered them.Em spits in “Not Afraid,” “So I solemnly swear to always treat this roof like my daughters and raise it /You couldn’t lift a single shingle lonely /Cause the way I feel, I’m strong enough to go to the club/Or the corner pub and lift the whole liquor counter up /Cause I’m raising the bar, I shoot for the moon /But I’m too busy gazing at stars, I feel amazing and…/[Hook] I’m not afraid.” By facing the downsides of drug use head-on, Em opens up about a difficult problem nearly all of us can relate to – either because we are going through similar struggles, or because we’re close to someone who is. It is unfortunate when reviewers are quick to dismiss Eminem as simply a “pill popper,” treating the descriptions of his bouts with drugs as an aside, or as comic relief; they dismiss the gift of this work, as it can be – and should be – used to help those struggling with similar problems of self-destruction. In the song “Talkin’ 2 Myself,” Eminem lets listeners know that drug addiction is not limited to working stiffs, but includes celebrities such as himself. He allows us to know that he can be used as an outlet for those who need it: “Don’t let up, keep slayin em /Rest in Peace to DJ AM/ Cause I know what it’s like/ I struggle with this sh-t every single day.” In offering such honesty, Eminem seeks to expand his fan base not just to hip-hop heads, but anyone seeking to provide a voice toward recovery. And in doing that, he lets the artist within him truly shine.
6,794 Listeners