After letting the world speculate over the “incident” that occurred between rapper, Eminem, and fictional character, Brüno (played by Sacha Baron Cohen), the real Slim Shady is fessing up.  

"I’m thrilled that we pulled this off better than we rehearsed it," he tells RapRadar.  "It had so many people going ‘nuts’ so to speak. Everyone was blowing me up about it.  Sacha called me when we were in Europe and he had an idea to do something outrageous at the Movie Awards.  I’m a big fan of his work so I agreed to get involved with the gag. After the ceremony I went back to my hotel and laughed uncontrollably for about three hours.  Especially after I saw it on air."

Wow… honestly, I wondered if Brüno’s role had been planned but Eminem truly had me fooled.  He needs to give up music and pursue a career in acting because I absolutely believed him (and I really didn’t think he would let Brüno put his jump all up in his face). 

Image credit: PictureGroup/MTV

After being on hiatus from 2005-2008, Eminem is releasing a new album, Relapse (there is supposed to be a Relapse 2 coming this year but I haven’t heard too many details about that yet). 

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

Eminem has been out of the limelight for the past few years and now we all know why – drugs.  I’m sure most people suspected it since he had been to rehab prior to his failed re-marriage (ex-wife, Kim, has also spoken publicly about his drug problem) but the rapper has confirmed it:  "I wasn’t ready mentally. I wasn’t  ready to give up the drugs. I didn’t really think I had a problem. Basically, I went in, and I came out. I relapsed, and I spent the next three years struggling with it. Also, at that time, I felt like I wanted to pull back, because my drug problem had got so bad.  I felt like, ‘Maybe if I take a break, maybe this will help.’ I started to get into the producer role more. I can still be out there with my music, but I don’t have to be in the spotlight the whole time."

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

Eminem is back and he’s as controversial as ever!  He recently released the music video for his new single “We Made You” and he makes fun of so many people, it would be foolish for me to try to list them all.

I can tell you that my favorite spoofs are on Jessica Simpson (she’s washing a car in those Daisy Dukes but eating a burger at the same time), Alaskan governor, Sarah Palin and Star Trek (did you see Bobby Lee as Sulu?  Classic!).

The song, itself, isn’t the best thing I’ve ever heard but it’s a start.  I’m just glad to have Slim Shady back on the radar.   The track is from his upcoming album, Relapse, which currently has a release date of May 15, 2009.  What do you think of the song and the video?

Released back in February, “Crack a Bottle” broke the first week digital sales record with 418,000 downloads and put Eminem back in the spotlight after a long absence.  On the track, he collaborates with 50 Cent and long-time friend, Dr. Dre. 

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

Hip-hop music legend Eminem’s first pair of Jordan’s were the Air Jordan 2. So it was fitting to have Eminem collaborate with Sr. Jordan Footwear designer Jason Mayden. What they came up with was the Eminem Jordan Retro 2. Watch the exclusive interview below. The sneakers will be selling for $110 with automatic donations being made to the Marshall Mathers Foundation.

Learn more about the Eminem Jordan Retro 2 at AirJordanFlightClub.com

Image used with permission.