Eminem Is Killing Off His Slim Shady Alter Ego
"It was just a matter of time."
After more than a quarter of a decade, Eminem is burying the alter ego that helped propel him to fame. The 51-year-old, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, will be killing off Slim Shady on his upcoming album to be released this summer.
Eminem revealed the plans for his upcoming album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), in an Unsolved Mysteries-style teaser on Thursday night.
"Through his complex and oft-criticized tongue-twisting rhymes, the anti-hero known as Slim Shady has had no shortage of enemies," explains the "host" of the fake program, "Detroit Murder Files." It then cuts to the rapper's longtime friend and collaborator 50 Cent, who says: "He's not a friend, he's a psychopath."
"The same rude lyrics and controversial antics may have ultimately led to his demise." the host continues. "Join me as we recreate the events that led to the murder of Slim Shady." The end features a cameo by Mathers himself, who says from behind a fake voice and pixilated blur that he "knew it was just a matter of time."
THE DEATH OF SLIM SHADY (COUP DE GRÂCE). Summer 2024. https://t.co/J3F45PQDLx pic.twitter.com/tdJ4d4PzV0
— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) April 26, 2024
Eminem first created the character for 1997's, Slim Shady EP; which he then carried through to his breakthrough album on a major label, The Slim Shady LP. Slim Shady was intended to be a violent, unhinged alter ego that allowed Mathers to express his thoughts on explicit subjects such as drugs, sex, rape, and murder.
In "My Name Is," the lead single of his debut album, Eminem raps lyrics such as "Hi, kids, do you like violence? Wanna see me stick nine-inch nails through each one of my eyelids?" and "Walked in the strip club, had my jacket zipped up, flashed the bartender, then stuck my d--k in the tip cup."
Per his website, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) will be released summer of 2024 but an exact date has not been given. In the meantime fans can sign up for updates and pre-save the album on music streaming platforms.