The Mash-Up

This is something I've wanted to explain for a long time. The respect I have for Eminem as a rapper is something beyond just being a fan of his music. So without further ado, here goes:

I am not partial to the rap genre. The glaring reason for this is the lyrics. After all, what is mainstream rap without rhymes lined up to a bass and rhythm? Granted, I’ll tolerate, even enjoy many rap songs purely for the amazing instrumental flow they have in the background. If I could, I’d just lose myself in the music (Lose Yourself), and never find myself again. But you can’t go into the Louvre, and say you enjoy a piece of artwork and call it priceless when all you liked was the frame. The lyrics, be it spoken clearly and recited or slurred into incomprehensible slang, are, nine times out of ten, derogatory, offensive and unoriginal. They say that music can alter moods and talk to you (Sing it For the Moment), but what’s talking to you in rap?

There is one exception to this broad yet sadly true generalization, and that is Eminem. Not being African American means he was alone in the rap genre; he’s had to stick out his neck for respect (Soldier) just in his own industry. It just so happens that Eminem’s lyrics actually do mean something, not just talking about having money, guns and women. Talking about the rough life he’s had, the struggles he’s had raising his daughter while rising to fame, just gets on the mic and spits it (The Real Slim Shady) about his life; after all, food stamps don’t buy diapers (Lose Yourself). Now, blind and ignorant haters that make up most of the rap lovers come strutting their stuff, getting all up in my grill with their Gs and homedogs about how I should back my punk ass off before I get a cap popped in me. I just want to say that I am beyond confident that none of you haters that who defend those rappers are anywhere near gutsy enough to run with an actual gang that your rappers roll with, so don’t try to call me a poser when you guys are the biggest of them all. You guys can claim to be thugs for life; that’s alright, because I love the way you lie (Love the Way You Lie): your personal delusion of grandeur is nothing but amusing for me.

Truth be told, I’m not afraid to take a stand (Not Afraid), because nothing you say is founded on truth or realism. You just depend on swagger and a mob mentality to keep this dream alive; it’s just another way of saying that you’re nothing but weak-minded and a bandwagon groupie. I’ve had to deal with people like you Saturday through Sunday, Monday, Monday through Sunday (Superman).

I’m done trying to reason with you.