Eminem Is Killing Slim Shady
Eminem is dropping a new album called The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce). Announced on April 25, the Grammy Award winner says the new album, which will be his twelfth, will be released this summer. The rapper shared a teaser for his new music on Instagram, posted moments before his appearance during the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit.
Eminem’s new album title refers to the rapper’s alter ego, Slim Shady. The alter ego has been a part of Eminem’s persona since his 1997 release Slim Shady EP. He reinforced the alter ego in The Slim Shady LP in 1999.
“He’s not a friend, he’s a psychopath.”
-50 Cent in The Death of Slim Shady announcement
The trailer for Eminem’s new album acts as a true crime special reporting on the death of Slim Shady. It starts with text that reads “Next on… Detroit Murder Files” before showing a reporter in a tan trenchcoat saying, “Through his complex and oft-criticized tongue-twisting rhymes, the blonde anti-hero known as Slim Shady has had no shortage of enemies… Join me as we recreate the events that led to the murder of Slim Shady.”
“So, [Eminem] has an album coming out. I’ve got songs on it, and it’s fire. I’m actually gonna hear the entire album for the first time for tomorrow.”
-Dr. Dre on The Jimmy Kimmel Show
Eminem’s The Death of Slim Shady comes four years after Music to Be Murdered By, his most recent album, which was released without announcement in January 2020 as a surprise to fans.
The trailer for Eminem’s The Death of Slim Shady sets up the intrigue perfectly. As the reporter recaps the rapper’s death, a series of bloody images are flashed on the screen before it cuts to 50 Cent, a fellow rapper, says, “He’s not a friend, he’s a psychopath.” The clip then reverts back to the reporter, who says, “The same rude lyrics and controversial antics may have ultimately led to his demise.”
Unlike last time, the new album isn’t a surprise. Earlier this year, American rapper and record producer Dr. Dre announced on Jimmy Kimmel that Eminem had a new album coming out, though he didn’t reveal the title as The Death of Slim Shady.
“So, he has an album coming out,” he said to the television host. “I’ve got songs on it, and it’s fire. I’m actually gonna hear the entire album for the first time for tomorrow.”
On April 1, Eminem teased fans with what they thought was the album Dr. Dre had referred to, only instead of being The Death of Slim Shady, it was an April Fools joke. The announced album never arrived.
Slim Shady is Eminem’s alter ego.
This time, it doesn’t look like Eminem is kidding around — The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) will be released this summer. The second half of the title, (Coup De Grâce) translates from French as “Stroke of Mercy.”
Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III and also known by his alter ego name, Slim Shady, is an influential American rapper known for popularizing hip hop in Middle America. Achieving mainstream success in the late 1990s, he broke racial barriers and became one of the greatest rappers of all time. Eminem’s impact extends beyond music, with notable achievements including an Academy Award for Lose Yourself and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
