Eminem and his hoodie in awkward interview
But could Eminem be about to do the unthinkable and fully kill off his Slim Shady character?
The 51-year-old rapper certainly seemed to be hinting at an untimely demise for the peroxide blonde anti-hero, with the official announcement for the album teasing his demise, promising to ‘recreate the events that led to the murder of Slim Shady’.
And it turns out his fans have some very interesting theories on whether or not this could be the case.
Sharing their thoughts on X, fan account @EminemDetroit88 suggested the new album could be a test to see whether or not Slim Shady would survive in modern pop culture, branding it a ‘genius’ move.
The Slim Shady character has been at the centre of numerous controversies since his creation. (KMazur/WireImage)
“Now I see why the album is called The Death of Slim Shady. The concept of the album is to bring Slim back and see if he can survive in today’s climate. Genius,” they wrote.
The theory has certainly struck a chord with many fans, who have called the idea ‘fun’ and ‘an interesting concept’.
“I have a feeling Eminem really is about to drop the world on it’s head,” one person replied.
“If he goes in hard on the world now & how easily people get upset it could be one of the greatest albums ever. I can’t wait to hear it,” another wrote, while a third commented: “FR… I think he wants to be the most offensive he can be and see if he is finally canceled.”
Eminem. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
A concept album examining whether or not Slim Shady could survive in today’s social climate is certainly an interesting idea, especially as Eminem once rapped that Shady was sent by God ‘to p*ss the world off’.
If this was the case, it certainly seems like Eminem has gotten off to a strong start with his latest single ‘Houdini’, with the song already receiving backlash for its apparent diss towards rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
In the track Eminem raps “If I was to ask for Megan Thee Stallion if she would collab with me / Would I really have a shot at a feat?”
The lyric seems to reference Stallion being shot in the foot by rapper Tory Lanez back in 2020.
Fans were clearly disappointed by the slight, calling it ‘disgusting’ and saying to ‘Leave Megan alone’.
“Eminem is too old to still be name dropping for shock value. It was “cool and edgy” back in 01’ but dude you’re 50 evolve as an artist,” one user wrote in their damning reaction to the song.
Featured Image Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images / KMazur/WireImage