Eminem's New Video Should Be Appreciated For What It Is

Eminem - New Music - More Music Videos

CLEVELAND - Eminem is the man that brought me to rap and hip-hop music. Until his arrival on the pro rap scene 10 years ago, this genre of music was something that I personally couldn't relate to.

In a sense, we're the same guy.

Eminem, the professional name of Detroit-bred Marshall Bruce Mathers III released the lead single and music video for his forthcoming album Relapse today on MTV. The clip, entitled "We Made You" is vintage Eminem and harkens back to his Slim Shady days as the relentless humorist and smart-alecky wordsmith that rags on celebrities.

Mathers, 36 deliberately crafted this video with zany and satirical imagery as he "humiliates" a slew of pop stars and other public figures. From Bret Michaels and Sarah Palin to Jessica Simpson and Kim Kardashian, Eminem takes hilarious shots at them with the same biting wit that he displayed on his past lead singles (My Name Is..., The Real Slim Shady, Without Me and Just Lose It).

Many folks have criticized Mathers for the buffoonery and adolescent silliness of these lead singles for years and this new song and video is receiving more of the same. I've heard and read many people who are unhappy with his tradition of releasing a silly song poking fun at harmless pop stars and even accuse him of having "lost his talent." 

I highly disagree.

I feel that people are reading too much into these singles. True, his lead singles have essentially been carbon copies of each other, but they each tell a slightly different story and in fact is one of the main reasons America fell in love with him in the first place. Additionally, if people would simply take the songs for what they are meant to be (purposely silly, campy and over-the-top satire), then maybe people would enjoy the music more. Eminem never said he was making serious songs with strong messages, although there is the occasional lesson hidden somewhere in the track (even in the goofy songs).

"We Made You" is incredibly funny, witty and frenetic. It is classic Slim Shady and is the perfect springboard for the new CD.

That will be a classic too.