From this album, he’s already released the singles “We Made You,” “3am” and “Crack a Bottle” (a collaboration with Dr. Dre and 50 Cent), which broke the first week digital sales record with 418,000 downloads.

I haven’t heard the whole album yet but, from the singles, it sounds a lot like classic Eminem and I can’t decide of that’s a good or a bad thing.  It’s been several long years and the world (and rap) has changed a lot since Em last released an album but it doesn’t sound like his style has altered much at all.  Maybe that’s just what we need, though.  As much as I respect artists like Lil Wayne, Kanye West and T.I., I’m getting really sick of hearing that digitized singing/rapping. 

Here’s the tracklist from Eminem’s Relapse:

1. Dr. West (Skit) Listen
2. 3 A.M. Listen
3. My Mom Listen
4. Insane Listen
5. Bagpipes from Baghdad Listen
6. Hello Listen
7. Tonya (Skit) Listen
8. Same Song & Dance Listen
9. We Made You Listen
10. Medicine Ball Listen
11. Paul (Skit)
12. Stay Wide Awake Listen
13. Old Time’s Sake – Dr. Dre, Eminem Listen
14. Must Be the Ganja Listen
15. Mr. Mathers (Skit) Listen
16. Déjà Vu Listen
17. Beautiful Listen
18. Crack a Bottle – Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent Listen
19. Steve Berman (Skit) Listen
20. Underground Listen

image: Amazon

Post from: EveryJoe

Eminem Releases “Relapse” Album

I’m very glad that he realized that he needed to step back and take care of himself.  He had become addicted to sleep medication and had to even cancel the European dates on his 2005 “Anger Management Tour” because of the problem.  Things only got worse when his friend (and D12 bandmate), Proof, was gunned down in 2006.  "I think it kind of hit me so hard. It just blindsided me. I just went into such a dark place that, with everything – the drugs, my thoughts. And the more drugs I consumed, and it was all depressants I was taking, the more depressed I became, the more self-loathing I became.”

That is so true and it is something that so many people struggle with.  I’m so happy he’s speaking out about it because others can see that they are not alone.  He explained that he is now able to talk about his feelings and that’s a big step, especially for men since so many are taught to keep it all inside.  I hope this is the beginning of a new, better chapter in his life.

His new album Relapse hits shelves on May 19, 2009.  It’s his first since 2004’s Encore.

image: Amazon

Post from: EveryJoe

Eminem Discusses Drug Relapse

There is a lot of confusion about where this single fits in – some people claim it will be featured on Em’s upcoming album Relapse while 50 Cent has reportedly said that he will include it in his new album, Before I Self-Destruct.  Some reports say that both rappers will have it on their albums.  It wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened.  

Anyway, listening to the song, I think it’s good and I’m happy Em is back to work but I do think that it’s a little too much like rap from a few years ago and may not fit in well with what is currently on the market.  I’ll have to wait and see what he comes up with on Relapse before I really make up my mind. 

image: Amazon.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Eminem, Dr Dre & 50 Cent “Crack a Bottle”