Eminem has been in rare form during his time at Lollapalooza Brazil, unexpectedly performing his remix of The Weeknd’s, The Hills.
In October last year, Eminem tweeted his remix of the popular song, saying that it was “too good to pass up,” which is a rare move for the rapper, who doesn’t make a habit of remixing pop songs. Both he and Nicki Minaj injected their own unique flavours to the hit song on a jointly released pair of remixes.
While performing at Lollapalooza over the weekend, the Detroit rapper decided to perform his remix of The Hills live. Although the move was definitely unexpected, as with his extensive discography, Eminem definitely doesn’t need to dip into his lesser known tracks to please fans, it was none the less a crowd favourite, with the large audience singing along to the chorus and Eminem’s verses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nukuyyjd-Rc
This hasn’t been the only surprise performance by Shady at the Brazilian festival, with him performing Fack, from the compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits, live for the first time ever. The song was by no means anyone’s favourite, being stored in the back of fans collective memories, along with Drips and a good 50% of the Encore album, but nevertheless, stans love their deep cuts, and the track was met with wild cheers.
With Eminem scheduled to perform at the Lollapalooza festivals in both Argentina and Chile, it will be interesting to see if he chooses to perform any other unexpected tracks during his upcoming performances.
It’s perhaps not too surprising that the rapper has decided to mix things up a little. While he’s obviously not lacking in hits to perform, it might still be a nice break to showcase songs he has never played live before, insuring his performances remain fresh for both the audience and himself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5ENO6ftxg4
Image: xxlmag
The latest in the long-running line of entrepreneurial rappers, Eminem and his very own Shady Records have announced a partnership with crowdsourced lyrics website Genius.com.
Anyone who has a) liked rap and b) had the internet over the past few years or so will undoubtedly know genius. Born in 2009 with the humble title of rapgenius.com, it immediately became a hub for learning about lyrics and pre-social media online arguments. The site went on to achieve massive success – in 2014, it expanded to include other genres of music, reflectively changing its name to Genius. However, the focus will, and always will be on hip hop – and now that’s a guarantee, thanks to the real Slim Shady.
Genius is the ultimate online hub for lyric annotations, for delving deeper into the stories behind your favourite artists and their songs. It’s particularly useful for hip hop, considering the thousands upon thousands of references, specific lingo, historical context and more that would be impossible to pick up on from just listening, or even reading through the lyrics.
The partnership means that Eminem will now join Pharrell Williams, Nas and others as website investors. It also means that Eminem will annotate more lyrics on site, and according to Billboard, “Genius will also serve as the official lyrics engine for Eminem.com and all of Shady Records’ online properties.”
“Coming up we would always obsess over the lyrics from our favourite MCs. Picking everything apart, trying to get into their heads,” wrote Eminem in a press release today. “I still do that today and Genius helps to make it a worldwide conversation. Pretty amazing to me.”
Eminem’s manager and co-founder of Shady Records Paul Rosenberg, also said that “Genius provides an avenue for fans to dig deeper into their favourite songs, but more importantly, it gives artists a way to communicate their artistic intent directly to those fans. For an artist like Eminem, the intricacies and nuances in his lyrics are very layered and his art is a perfect fit for this type of tool. We’re excited about what this partnership brings for both sides.”
Earlier this year, Eminem annotated no less than 42 of his own lyrics. He joins artists including RZA, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, A-Trak, producer Rick Rubin and plenty more who have annotated on site.
Sweet!
Eminem annotating ‘My Name Is’ on Genius
The Weeknd is taking a leaf out of Foals and Jack White‘s books, delving into the world of 360 degree interactive technology with the new video for the Eminem-featuring remix of his whopper hit The Hills. A collaboration with Apple Music and GoPro, the video allows the viewer to take control of their experience by rotating the video using the A/S/W/D keys or their mouse, enabling a multi-angled view of the video.
This video shares similarities with The Hills‘ original clip, showing the singer walking out of a building and parking lot, leaving a burning car ahead of him. Flaming meteors are also raining down around him – you can play around with the angles to get a better view. As the video progresses starts to get weird, with large flaming phoenixes pouring out of a car – symbolic for something, probably.
The short clip falls just under the two minute mark, just long enough for Eminem’s heavy-hitting first verse.
https://twitter.com/theweeknd/status/653673994240004100
The remix splashed onto the scene last week, adding even more gusto to the chart-dominating hit (it’s currently in its fifth week at the top of the Billboard charts). As well as the Eminem remix came a stunning redux from Nicki Minaj, which once again reinstated the fact that her rap skills are unparalleled, and something we’ll hopefully here more of in the future.
Check out the weird but wonderful video below, and the track in full:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fhjdtQDcOo&w=560&h=315]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqfJ8PfVSHA&w=420&h=315]
I’m sure we’ve all heard enough of The Weeknd‘s mammoth no. 1 single The Hills to last at least seven lifetimes. The young R&B/pop superstar has smashed the charts with his seductive hit, off recent album Beauty Behind The Madness.
We’d forgive you for proclaiming that you might never want to hear the track again. But I’ve got two good reasons for you to give it a couple more spins.
Reason 1: A newly remixed version is out featuring Eminem.
Reason 2: A newly remixed version is out featuring Nicki Minaj.
Both new versions are divinely wicked in their own ways.
Eminem’s signature aggression – delivered in a far more calculated and understated form level to what it used to be, but aggression nonetheless – complements the sexy rhythm and chorus in a way that raises the track from a late-night club banger to a hard-hitting, brilliant hip-hop offering. I’m so accustomed to Eminem talking about sex in a dark, comedic or threatening tone, it’s actually really amazing to hear him talking about in more of a Weeknd-esque manner. Angry, sure, but explicit in a dirty manner, as opposed to violent.
Minaj is a brilliant and thoroughly underused rapper. I was first introduced to her via her spitfire verse on Kanye’s Monster, and ever since, I’ve been desperately hanging on to the occasional rap verses she releases. Her take on the single probably fits the sound even better than Eminem, to be honest. It’s light and dirty – hopefully the first of many collaborations between the pair, who have both blurred the boundaries between R&B and pop superstardom.
Minaj also joined the Weekend on stage to perform the track on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Watch here.
For all his attempts at transforming into a pop star, these hip hop remixes are absolutely brilliant.
Stream it here via Spotify!
Teen arrested after Instagram-ing Eminem lyrics
Somewhat misleading derivatives of the above headline shot across the internet today. And as it says, a teenage boy was arrested after posting columbine related Eminem lyrics on his instagram account. What none of these headlines say, is the fact that the boy was found to be in possession of multiple unregistered firearms as well as a bulletproof vest, and seemingly, although unproven as of this moment, was gearing up to commit a school massacre in the same vein as the columbine shootings. All of the articles do delve into this information once the nifty headline has caught your attention, but they all, just like this one, lead their story with a picture of the acclaimed, maligned, respected, rapper, Eminem.
Just about all of them also quote the Eminem lyrics from the boys account and the song I’m Back. So I’d better do the same.
I take seven kids from Columbine, stand ’em all in a line,
Add an AK-47, a revolver, a nine,
A MAC-11 and it oughta solve the problem of mine
And that’s a whole school of bullies shot up all at one time
Cause I’m just like shady and just as crazy as the world was over this whole Y2K thing
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJqFs3jU0mc]
Now, why am I simply re-hashing the formulaic retread articles like above? We’re all guilty of looking for click-bait right? And that’s where the dilemma comes in. Obviously the story is related to Eminem, and leading with an angle about him is far more likely to reach a maximum viewership. But don’t articles like this just perpetuate the idiotic notion that rap lyrics in any way are to blame for people committing or potentially planning to commit violent acts? Not that they intend to, but it does read like that right? Or am I crazy?
Never mind that posting Eminem lyrics is now considered a terrorist threat. But moreover, are we looking at the idea that perhaps getting search warrants based off lyrics posted on an instagram account is inherently problematic? Look, my faith in humanity leads me to believe that is surely not the case, and that the police had far more evidence, but all of the articles covering the case certainly make it seem as if that was the main motive of the police investigation. And just because they appear to have been correct in this situation, doesn’t make that any less worrying.
For starters, it all seems likely to boil over into yet another useless debate about rap lyrics causing violence in teenagers. Even though, as is constantly stated, teen crime makes up a fraction of violent crime statistics. Somewhat similar to the do violent video games cause violence debate, haven’t we already been through all of this? Hell, we went through this with Eminem already! But we seem doomed to continue this argument forever. Especially with Tyler the Creator being banned from Australia and Action Bronson having shows cancelled due to gratuitous lyrics. Despite a million times over, artists and fans alike proclaiming that correlation, despite what un-researched dolts will tell you, does not equal causation. There is a mountain of research on the topic but for simplicity and comedic effect (see here.)
So while Eminem’s lyrics are at the forefront of this article, and the hundreds of others like it, I will at least try my best to avoid misleading any readers into thinking that rap lyrics have anything to do with causing violence. As a brief retort to the unsaid counterpoints, do some people who commit violence listen to rap? Yes. But wouldn’t it seem more likely that people with violent tendencies would seek out violent media to satiate their violent thoughts? I don’t know, maybe? Or maybe mental health, or socio-economic factors play a part in violent crime? Hmm, that sounds logical to me. A lot more logical than rap lyrics, and rappers brainwashing poor helpless teenagers into committing random acts of violence. Obviously the kids who commit these type of acts have a lot more going on than their record collection, and maybe focussing on violent media is being ignorant, oblivious, and a whole range of other adjectives related to generally being fucking stupid.
But either way, it looks like some good may have come out of this situation, with a shooting potentially being prevented. So in my books, Eminem is a hero. Keep making violent lyrics Slim, soon there will be no crime at all!
Maybe Eminem knows more about this than most considering he’s been through similar situations before with his music, so I’ll post these lyrics here, but not on my instagram account.
They say music can alter moods and talk to you
Well can it load a gun up for you , and cock it too
Well if it can, then the next time you assault a dude
Just tell the judge it was my fault and I’ll get sued
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4hAVemuQXY]
Gwyneth Paltrow must be either broke or desperate for a headline, because no human being in their right mind would think this is a good idea. Paltrow’s lifestyle website Goop is selling purses inspired by the collaborations of famous rappers including Tupac Shakur, Biggie Smalls AKA Notorious B.I.G, Jay-Z and Eminem.
The thing is, they’re awful.
Designed by Edie Parker, the purses are basically just your standard acrylic clutch with a rapper’s name on the front. No cool design, no imagination. The only sort of impressive feature is the mirror on the inside. They say less is more, but this is ridiculous. Check them out.
Oh, and by the way, they cost US$1,695 each. That’s AU$2308.64.
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?
As a fashion writer, I have seen some ugly designs. At least, they have a bit of creativity behind them. These are just effortlessly bad. I don’t mind some of Parker’s designs, so I’m very disappointed that this is how I’ve found out about her. I don’t think her team knows anything about rap and the aesthetic of the genre. The use of glitter and the colours picked are so wrong. They lack in attitude and an iconic edgy look.
Also, the duos picked make zero sense. Tupac and Bigge never got along, while Jay-Z and Eminem only collaborated briefly. Seriously, a bit of research never hurt anyone.
We recommend that you don’t waste your money, but if you want to buy them click here.
Last month, while promoting the Straight Outta Compton biopic, Ice Cube, DJ Yella and MC Ren put on special performance at the BET Experience. It was the group’s first performance together in 26 years. Now there is talk of a larger reunion tour, and even more interestingly, that Eminem is slated to fill-in for the late Eazy-E. For all those people that are outraged that Eazy-E is being replaced by Eminem, don’t be.
It’s not an insult to Eazy-E’s memory to have him replaced by Eminem, it’s a compliment. Having a very good rapper’s spot filled by the greatest rapper of all time is an honour to Eazy-E’s legacy. An insult would be having Eazy-E replaced by Chief Keef. That would be an insult. Saying that the only person worthy of taking Eazy-E’s spot, is a far more talented and influential rapper pays huge respect to the N.W.A founder. Having Eminem fill in for Eazy-E in a reunion tour is like having Leonardo DiCaprio play the lead role in the Chris Farley biopic (and given DiCaprio’s increased girth over the years this is becoming more and more a reality).
And to all the punters complaining about the addition of Eminem, you’ve just scored an extra performance by an inarguably exceptional artist, when they could have just as easily given you literally nothing. A hologram or a cassette tape. Now if only they could get someone to sub out MC Ren…
Who knew Harry Potter could rap?
If you watched his interview with Jimmy Fallon from last October, you’d know that Daniel Radcliffe is a self-proclaimed rap fan. He even showed off his skills by giving a rendition of Blackalicious’ Alphabet Aerobics. As the name suggests, it’s a very difficult song to rap. He pulled it off though, especially considering he is not a professional rapper (nor is he trying to be).
In the interview, he mentioned that he was a huge fan of Eminem. “I think I was the first kid in my class to learn all the words to The Real Slim Shady,” he said.
A video went viral today, featuring the boy wizard himself performing the 2000 hit. It was Karaoke Night at Cameron’s Irish Pub in Half Moon Bay in California, and Radcliffe was ready to give it his best shot. With a strong American accent, he didn’t slip up once and owned the song with every line. The performance, with the help of his girlfriend and backup dancer Erin Darke, was met with appreciation from the crowd.
But, don’t worry, the actor is sticking to movies. His love for rap is just for fun. Unless J.K. Rowling uses this video as inspiration for Harry Potter and The Real Slim Shady.
Watch Radcliffe perform The Real Slim Shady and Alphabet Aerobics below.
Of all the comedic pairings I could imagine, I must admit it would take me years until I landed upon Eminem and Stephen Colbert. In an interview sketch that is incredibly reminiscent of Zach Galifianakis and his “Between Two Ferns” series, Colbert does his best to crack the hardened demeanour of the Detroit rapper.
It is not often that we see celebrity megastars take to public access television to promote their wares, and it must have been quite a shock for Detroit natives to tune into the Only in Monroe special and be greeted with rap royalty. We have seen Eminem give a straight faced performance before, most notably his stellar scenes in the James Franco and Seth Rogen film The Interview, although this time we can see him visibly holding back the laughter and doing his best impression of a Kanye West “fake tough guy face”.
As well as addressing his interviewee as Marshall Mathers the entire interview, forgoing the Eminem alias, Colbert is not afraid to ask the serious questions, “Are you more political, or are you more booty rhymes?” to which the stone faced response came “I’m more in the middle, like the crack”. The hopes of seriously promoting the upcoming film Southpaw, a gritty boxing drama in which Eminem has leant his musical touch, were dashed when adorable kittens in a boxing ring took the place of a promotional video.
We have got to hand it to Eminem, only he could seemingly make it through this interview without breaking character completely; he is still the hard man of the rap game.
Check out the special in its entirety here, (the interview starts at the 22 minute mark):
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVPlMM_aSn4]
Southpaw is in cinemas July 24 courtesy of Dreamworks Pictures.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL_SBJzLO-Q]