Eminem went through a number of personal tragedies

Eminem can't make up his mind if he retires or not. During the recent years the gossips about his leaving the industry as a rap performer were constantly leaking to the mass media. And though he has always been breaking these news, he's been still making a casual uncertain comments about his plans for the future. Indeed, the whole last year was full of personal tragedies for Eminem. For the first place he checked himself into rehab, then he remarried his first wife just to divorce with her a few months later, and finally he went through the death of his friend and D12 member Proof. But despite these exhausting events Eminem is back again with his new album Eminem Presents The Re-Up. Judging by the title, the album is of a great importance for Eminem – he mutely admits his breakdown in the past, but leaves no place to doubt that the things will grow better. Perhaps the best way to describe the album is as a Shady Records mixtape, which instead of being bootleg or sold only on tour has been given the official stamp of approval by Eminem's record label and distributed by his parent label Interscope. But it is hardly ever possible that the presence of such Eminem's friends and colleagues as 50Cent or D12 will spoil the impression, all the more Eminem has always been associating his creative works with his big rap family.

Eminem doesn't forget about sarcastic side of his nature

The main slogan and the uniting idea of Eminem Presents The Re-Up has turned to be a resurrection of Shady. Many of those who appear on the album periodically drop his name here and there. A fair share of the album features remixes of well known Shady Records family classics. There's an Obie Trice remix of Pistol Pistol, a remix of Akon's Smack That featuring Stat Quo and Bobby Creekwater, an Eminem remix of 50 Cent's Ski Mask Way and a specifically Shady Remix of Obie's Cry Now. Though of course the album's main part is of a new material. Eminem doesn't forget about sarcastic side of his nature. For the tough recitative lovers he offers a humorous self-analysis song Public Enemy #1, made up in his classic manner. There is also a funny duet with 50 Cent Jimmy Crack Corn. The track Trapped is dedicated to late Proof where he himself appears in the intro. Eminem doesn't mind some solo tracks by guest artists like Stat Quo with his By My Side and the Alchemist produced Tryin' Ta Win and aforementioned new Shady family member Bobby Creekwater who appears not only in collaborations but with his There He Is. Overall Eminem Presents The Re-Up sounds like a big party, where everyone is allowed to do whatever he likes. But the atmosphere is not that careless as it sometimes reminds of slain Proof. At the very end of the album Eminem offers his brand new solo song No Apologies where strips his personal thoughts about himself.

Slim Shady is not going to retire

The good point that this official mix tape carries, is that Eminem's every vocal entry is a distinguishing part of every track he is in. Hi's got both, the performing power and the lyrical strength which comprise his unique artistic style no one would be ever able to reproduce. The bad point is that the percentage of Shady Records performers out weights the main person here. Let's remember that the album was released under Eminem's sign board. Even though he produces a half of all material he performs only five lead vocals among 22 tracks of these album. The presence of Southern rappers here changes the sound of Eminem album as some tracks has slowly shifted into south gangster neighborhood. However, fans have nothing to worry about. Though it is hard to call this release another Eminem's solo album there is enough of good material here. At least 74 minutes of playing suggest things to choose from. The public opinion that it wasn't the best idea to release the album under Eminem's brand has its right to exist. But one way or another the album shows that Eminem is still here and is not going to retire.

21.12.2006