Slim Shady EP
Slim Shady EP | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | December 20, 1997 | |||
Recorded | 1997[a] | |||
Studio | Studio 8 (Ferndale, Michigan) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 28:32 | |||
Label | WEB Entertainment | |||
Producer |
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Eminem chronology | ||||
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Singles from Slim Shady EP | ||||
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Slim Shady EP is the only
The EP introduces Eminem's alter ego Slim Shady. Since the EP was released before he was signed to Interscope and Aftermath, original copies are now highly valued. His lyrics are a marked departure from those found on Infinite, featuring constant references to drug use, sexual acts, mental instability, and over-the-top violence. Another departure was his exploration of more serious themes of dealing with poverty, his direct and self-deprecating response to criticism, and of marital and family difficulties. His flow is also noticeably different from Infinite where critics claimed he sounded too much like Nas and AZ. Eminem also began utilizing story telling on this EP. The production value of the music on the tracks — from previous collaborators DJ Head, The Bass Brothers, and Mr. Porter — was also noticeably higher than on prior album efforts. According to Billboard, at this point in his life Eminem had "realized his musical ambitions were the only way to escape his unhappy life".
Background and production
In 1996, his debut album
The disappointment of Infinite inspired Eminem to create the
Artwork
The cover depicts the opening intro as well as the first track, in which Slim Shady awakens Eminem and orders him to look in the mirror to see that he is "nothing without him". Eminem resists and screams in the background while Slim Shady yells back and laughs at Eminem's horror. By the second track, Eminem and Slim Shady become the same person. Eminem is also ordered by "Slim Shady" to look into the mirror, and the sound of glass breaking is heard, alluding once again to the cover.[4] The art also bears a similarity to Black Flag's 1981 debut album, Damaged.
Release and reception
According to an interview with
Track listing
No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro (Slim Shady)" | Eminem | 1:05 |
2. | "Low Down, Dirty" |
| 4:44 |
3. | "If I Had..." | DJ Rec | 4:06 |
4. | "Just Don't Give a Fuck" | Denaun Porter | 4:00 |
5. | "Mommy" (skit) | 0:39 | |
6. | "Just the Two of Us" | DJ Head | 4:20 |
7. | "No One's Iller" (featuring Swifty McVay, Bizarre and Fuzz Scoota) | DJ Head | 4:58 |
8. | "Murder, Murder" | DJ Rec | 4:40 |
9. | "If I Had... (Radio Edit)" | DJ Rec | 4:01 |
10. | "Just Don't Give A #?@! (Radio Edit)" | DJ Rec | 4:03 |
Total length: | 36:36 |
Notes
References
- ^ ISBN 1-4000-5059-6.
- ^ a b c d e f g Bozza, Anthony (November 5, 2009). "Eminem Blows Up". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
- ^ a b Harvilla, Rob (2019-02-20). "Eminem Has Been America's Nightmare for 20 Years". The Ringer. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
- ^ "Eminem: 'My life became crazy'". Newsbeat. BBC. October 21, 2008. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
- ^ "Eminem – Slim Shady EP". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
- ^ XXL (December 2007). "Retrospective: XXL Albums". XXL Magazine.
- ^ https://www.discogs.com/release/15373422-Eminem-Eminem-EP
External links
- Slim Shady EP at Discogs (list of releases)