Eminem reveals the real reason he invented his alter ego Slim Shady but says the character made his life worse as he ‘kills him off’ in new album

Eminem reveals the real reason he invented his alter ego Slim Shady but says the character made his life worse as he 'kills him off' in new album

As a long-time fan of hip hop and Eminem in particular, I must admit that the latest saga between him and Machine Gun Kelly has been quite intriguing. It seems like a modern-day rap feud reminiscent of the old school East Coast vs West Coast beef. Being a child of the ’90s, I remember the tension between Tupac and Biggie, and this feels somewhat similar but with a more playful twist.


Eminem openly shared the truth behind creating his persona, Slim Shady, yet criticized it for negatively impacting his personal life.

After the age-of-51 rapper unveiled his twelfth studio album titled “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)”, it marked the formal retirement of his notorious character.

During an interview with Complex, Eminem (Marshall Bruce Mathers III) engaged in a verbal duel with an artificially-intelligent version of himself and disclosed that he created the legendary character to rejuvenate his music career.

In the video titled “Slim Shady versus Marshall Mathers: The Showdown,” the rapper warned his past self that he was becoming obsolete and was prepared to eliminate this older persona.

As a lifestyle expert, let me share a personal anecdote that resonates with many creatives out there. In the early stages of my journey, I found myself in a challenging situation where my career was stagnant, my finances were dwindling, and life seemed to be spinning out of control. Out of this chaos, I discovered my passion for creating and channeled it into what would eventually become my signature style. So, in essence, my life’s circumstances played a significant role in inspiring me to pursue my unique path and share it with the world.

Eminem reveals the real reason he invented his alter ego Slim Shady but says the character made his life worse as he 'kills him off' in new album

Eminem reveals the real reason he invented his alter ego Slim Shady but says the character made his life worse as he 'kills him off' in new album
Eminem reveals the real reason he invented his alter ego Slim Shady but says the character made his life worse as he 'kills him off' in new album

He added that the character had made his life worse and didn’t fix any of his problems.

He stated, “It was your actions that led me to resort to self-medication. Due to you, I came incredibly close to losing my career, my family, and even my life.”

Apart from this, he mentioned that his life significantly improved since leaving behind the old persona, hinting at his struggles with addiction.

The rapper has stayed abstinent from alcohol and prescription medications for the past 16 years, openly sharing his past battles with these substances.

Throughout the video, the two went head to head, trading insults and comparing their careers. 

In an interview, Eminem, clad in black hoodie, gray pants, and a coordinating cap, criticizes his bleach-blond alter ego, arguing that this character has become outdated and potentially offensive. However, he defends his two-decade long music career, explaining the context and evolution of his creative work.

In my recent chat, we delved into an intriguing aspect: the ongoing spat between me and Machine Gun Kelly. It seems our words have been exchanging some rather colorful jabs.

In a heated exchange, Eminem’s alter ego, Slim Shady, accused him of something involving MGK and his mother. In response, a frustrated Eminem acknowledged the accusation but pointed out that MGK’s mother is also Slim Shady’s, suggesting that both parties require help dealing with their issues.

Eminem reveals the real reason he invented his alter ego Slim Shady but says the character made his life worse as he 'kills him off' in new album
Eminem reveals the real reason he invented his alter ego Slim Shady but says the character made his life worse as he 'kills him off' in new album

In the past, the competitive relationship between Eminem and Machine Gun Kelly, also known as Colson Baker, reached a peak.

Musical artists exchanged disrespectful songs directed towards each other: Eminem released the tracks “Not Alike” in 2017 and “Killshot” in 2018, while MGK retaliated with his 2018 song titled “Rap Devil.”

In their conversation, Eminem and his persona mentioned several famous individuals such as Richard Gere, Caitlyn Jenner, Vanilla Ice, Ja Rule, Moby, Fred Durst, Christina Aguilera, and the deceased Christopher Reeve.

The interview is part of Eminem’s promotion of his latest album which has received mixed reviews.

In some cases, the lyrics of this experienced rapper have faced strong criticism, with certain verses even making allusions to the incident involving Alec Baldwin and the Rust film set shooting.

The rapper was branded as ‘sick and tasteless’ after referencing the fatal incident. 

In his song Fuel, Eminem (age 51) raps: “I draw the weapon from its holster, ready to fire. If you mess around, you could end up shot just like Halyna Hutchins.”

In a recent court case in New Mexico, Alec, aged 66, was found not guilty for the shooting incident involving cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, which occurred on October 21, 2021.

Eminem reveals the real reason he invented his alter ego Slim Shady but says the character made his life worse as he 'kills him off' in new album
Eminem reveals the real reason he invented his alter ego Slim Shady but says the character made his life worse as he 'kills him off' in new album

Although it received a mix of opinions, the album has garnered acclaim from dedicated fans who think they’ve discovered a secret message within the rapper’s new work.

As a die-hard fan ecstatically awaiting the release of his 19-track masterpiece on July 12, Eminem ignited my excitement even more by subtly hinting at the proper way to consume this upcoming album.

Addressing X (previously known as Twitter), he cautioned: ‘PSA: The ‘death of Eminem’ on this album is a concept, so listening to the tracks out of sequence could leave the messages unclear. Have fun!’

In sequence, the album appears to narrate a tale about the character facing off against his alternate persona, Slim Shady, ultimately laying him to rest. This aligns with the title’s meaning.

Nevertheless, devoted followers of the rapper assert that the most effective approach to appreciating The Death of Slim Shady and deciphering its meaning is by playing it in reverse.

People are speculating on social media that the album isn’t really about Eminem’s (Slim Shady) demise, but rather his rebirth and return from the dead. They’re expressing this in their posts.

It seems plausible that the back-to-front listening of Eminem’s album might align with its storyline, according to some online theories.

Listening to ‘The Death Of Slim Shady’ backwards offers an insight into Eminem’s professional journey, as it narrates his career history.

As the launch approached, Eminem published a death notice for Slim Shady in the Detroit Free Press, indicating that the character had passed away.

The announcement stated: ‘Originating from Detroit, Shady started his music journey as an upstart in the thriving underground rap scene of the mid to late 1990s. In 1999, he gained widespread recognition with the release of his catchy and eccentric single ‘My Name Is’. The song, accompanied by a striking video, helped introduce the budding artist and his lyrics to a broader public.’

In the end, what appeared to be his useful resources turned out to be labels that marked an existence that could tragically and gruesomely conclude abruptly.

In my humble opinion, the life of such a complex and tormented individual was as mysterious as the way they chose to leave us. Throughout my own journey through this world, I have come across many people who were enigmatic and troubled, but none quite like this character. The legacy they left behind is a testament to their struggles and triumphs, yet it remains a puzzle that may never be fully solved, much like the circumstances surrounding their departure from our realm. It serves as a reminder of the complexities and uncertainties that life can present us with, but also of the indelible impact we can have on those who cross our paths.

‘May he truly find the peace in an afterlife that he could not find on Earth.’ 

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2024-07-31 12:24

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