Kamikaze is Eminem’s 10th solo studio album, released on August 31st, 2018. In order to understand it, we have to rewind to 2017’s “Revival.” Known for always taking time between projects, these albums are only 8 months apart. Here is why.
On October 11, 2017, Em appeared on the BET Hip-Hop Awards, where he criticized the President of the United States. This gave fans a preview of what to expect from the back-then-new album, content-wise. Finally, on December 15, 2017, “Revival” was released.
Upon arrival, the entire album was trashed and fully criticized; from the art cover to the tracklist to the features. Needless to say, “Revival” went on to sell over 200,000 copies in its first week, marking it as Eminem’s all-time low sales.
His political point of view played a huge role in “Revival.” However, people seem to forget that he hasn’t been shy throughout his entire career, political-wise (White America (2002), We as Americans (2003), Mosh (2004)). Everyone had an opinion, from old to new critics but so did Em once “Kamikaze” hit.
Kamikaze
Upon listening to the first track, “The Ringer,” Em unleashes against critics who were counting him out of the rap game and for not understanding his message in Revival. “Saying I no longer got it because you missed a line and never caught it.”
On “Greatest” and “Lucky You,” Eminem proves his lyrical abilities while aiming towards the new generation of rap. “You clowns don’t give an ounce about the ones that were here before you.“ Up-and-coming rappers have been disrespectful to pioneers of Hip-Hop. From stating Tupac’s (R.I.P.) music is boring, calling Biggie Smalls (R.I.P.) overrated to chanting “Fuck J. Cole.”
However, Eminem’s problem with the new generation of rap isn’t anything new. On 2007’s track, “Syllables,” he raps “It’s not about lyrics anymore / It’s about a hot beat and a catchy hook” and on 2010’s track “No Love,” he begs to “Get these wack rappers off the stage / Where is Kanye when you need him?“
Eminem also takes the time to address once and for all the rumors of a possible Dirty Dozen (D12) reunion. His rap group D12 managed to release two LPs: “Devils Night” (2001), and “D12 World” (2004). But after Proof (R.I.P.) passed away in April 2006, the group vanished.
In 2012, rapper Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) stated Eminem’s then-underaged daughter was hot. He didn’t respond and MGK continued to subliminal diss him, most recently in 2018’s “No Reason.” On “Not Alike,” Em let him have it. MGK quickly retaliated with the diss track “Rap Devil” whereas Eminem counter-attacked with “Killshot.”
Truth is, Eminem is in a position where he no longer needs to respond to rivals, but in the competitive sports of Hip-Hop, you have to, otherwise, you lose by default. If anything, Em is doing rappers a favor by promoting them. “I mention you, lose-lose for me, win-win for you.“
On “Kamikaze” and “Fall,” the lyrical bullets continue to hit. Since his first project (1996), a major topic he constantly has had to address is the color of his skin, which critics claim is the only reason he sells, in a predominantly black genre.
“I belong here, clown.
Don’t tell me about the culture.
I inspired the Hopsins, the Logics, the Coles,
the Seans, the K-Dots, the 5’9”s and oh,
brought the world 50 Cent.”
-Eminem, Fall (2018)
In fact, countless Hip-Hop pioneers have mentioned Em in their “Top 10 Death or Alive.” And if “The God MC” Rakim states he is part of the culture, there is no further debate needed.
Is “Kamikaze“ the outcome of “Revival’s” cause and effect? In the LP, Em collaborates with rap artists Joyner Lucas, Royce Da 5’9”, and Jessie Reyez, and for the first time teams up with producers Mike Will Made-It, Illadaproducer, and Tay Keith. The outcome is arguably his most lyrical project since “The Eminem Show” (2002).
To conclude, “Kamikaze” is Eminem’s 9th studio album to debut at #1 on the Billboard charts. Most recently, it surpassed two billion online streams.
Watch Shady’s “Fall” video and listen to “Kamikaze” in the link below.
