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Relapse (Eminem album)

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Relapse is the sixth studio album by American rapper Eminem. There is no confirmed release date by Interscope Records,[2] although the rapper has referred to the first quarter of 2009 as the period span in which he plans to release the album.[3] Several close artists and collaborators with the rapper made mention of the album by various working titles, before Eminem himself referred to the album by the title Relapse. On December 12, 2008 Eminem himself stated that the album would be released Spring of 2009 [1]

Background

Speculation on an upcoming album by Eminem was reported since mid 2007 from announcements made by Shady Records rappers 50 Cent and Stat Quo.[4][5] Also, rapper Bizarre—member of the hip hop group D12—stated that the release of the group's third studio album was "on hold" because Interscope Records wanted to release Eminem's album first.[6] By the end of the year, additional musicians associated with Shady Records, including The Alchemist, Bishop Lamont, Cashis and Obie Trice had confirmed to reporters that the rapper was effectively working on a new album.[7][8][9][10]

On September 12, 2007, during a call at New York City based radio station WQHT "Hot 97," Eminem stated that he was in "limbo" and that was not sure whether he would release any new material in the near future. Later he elaborated:[11]

"I'm always working, I'm always in the studio. It feels good right now, the energy of the label. For a while, I don't wanna go back to the negative stuff. … Going through some personal things, coming out of those personal things, it feels good".

In 2007, Cashis discussed the album, referring to it as King Mathers, saying that it would be released later that year.[9] However, Dennis Dennehy, Eminem's publicist, denied this saying that "there is no album scheduled for a 2007 release".[12] Despite other announcements regarding the release of Relapse,[13] no official statement was made until September 2008, when an Interscope representative confirmed the existence of an upcoming album, and stated the possibility of a release date around the fourth quarter of 2008.[14] In regards to the album's release date, Rolling Stone wrote on the issue of October 2008 that Virgin Megastores had planned to release Relapse on November 27, 2008, coincidentally on Thanksgiving in the United States. In addition, the magazine reported that a "music-industry source" disclosed that the album had a high chance of being released by 2008. The same source later refuted their statement saying that Eminem had several tracks to finish.[15] On October 27, another spokesperson for Interscope explained that there was no official date at the time, adding that any release dates that have been posted on any website were "totally unfounded."[2][16]

In a phone conversation during the finale of Total Request Live on November 16, 2008, Eminem again asserted that the working title of his sixth studio album is Relapse, and that the record should be expected to be released during the first quarter of 2009, precisely during either of the first three months of the year. He explained, "At this point I'm just trying to figure out which tracks will make the cut. I have over 100 songs to choose from that's why it is taking some time." When Carson Daly asked the rapper if the album's material will be truer to his early, more serious work or more comedic tracks such as those featured his preceding studio album, Encore, Eminem responded, "Nah you can't know any of that."[3]

Album title

Since May 2007, Cashis has several times referred to the album as King Mathers, stating that this would be its official name, up to at least April 2008.[9][13] Dennis Dennehy also rejected these statements as false, adding that as of August 2007 there was no confirmed title.[12] In contrast, King Mathers was also used by West Coast producer C Major during an interview for DubCNN.[17] Nonetheless, on September 30, 2008, Sha Money XL referred to the album by a new title, The Empack.[18] Cashis later rectified this title, instead referring to the album as The Empact.[19] Further disputing matters, Sha Money made a following statement that "The Empack" was indeed a mistype, but that this was not the album's working title.[20]

On October 15, 2008, at an event held by Shade 45 to celebrate the publication of Eminem's autobiography The Way I Am, Eminem announced that the final title to the album was Relapse, thus putting at end to speculation regarding the album's name:[21][22]

"Here's the deal. There's like a lot of album titles floating around out there that like, are fake album titles…like bullshit album titles, so I was just gonna say, you know, tell everybody the real title of my album. It's coming out, it's called Relapse".

Music

Recording and production

In an interview for the Los Angeles Times, Dr. Dre stated that he would be devoting two months to work on Eminem's new album, stating that the two planned to complete the album and at the same time work on other of Dr. Dre's projects.[23]

Producer Focus... briefly mentioned the album saying, "Marshall's album is coming out soon, and we just did a couple tracks together, and we've done a lot of writing together. I make my beats and send them out to him". But other than confirming the existence of a new album from Eminem, Focus... wouldn't divulge much else about the sound or the style of the project.[24]

DJ Premier revealed to HipHopDX.com that he received a phone call from Eminem requesting that "DJ Premier sound".[25] DJ Premier confirmed that he produced a track for Eminem entitled, "Keys to the City," which will appear on Eminem's upcoming album.[25] DJ Premier also noted that the track is "dope," and stated, "Man... Eminem is back," while informing that Eminem "attacked the track with a new style, just fucking ridiculous, kind of like how he came with 'The Way I Am' but even more lyrical like the old Eminem".[25] The track also holds the possibility of being leaked as a "street single".[25]

Swizz Beatz stated to MTV that he sent him some tracks. "He reached out," Swizz said. "I'm just taking it slow. I'm not even going [into the studio] with him. I'm just sending him the tracks. He's in a zone though." Swizz also said the feel of the beats will inspire Em to bring back the old Slim Shady.[26] In another interview with WQHT, Swizz Beatz confirmed his involvement with the album, and reported the working title for one of its songs to be "Stan II".[27][28] He explains, "You know how 'Stan' . . . was the big [song]? . . . So I worked on part 2, and I think it was, like, totally genius."[27] Although he twice confirmed his involvement with the album, Eminem himself later stated that neither Stan II, nor Swizz Beatz, would be on the album.[1]

An insider told the New York Post that Eminem is back in the studio after a health scare just two months before. He said, "He has been cutting new tracks with Dr. Dre. They still have a ways to go, but so far it's really good". A representative confirmed the reports, adding that he has been working out. He said, "He's always in the studio and has worked with a trainer".[29]

When asked if Eminem was on D12's 2008 mixtape, Return of the Dozen Vol. 1, Bizarre said, "Naw, he's not on the mix tape... We just kind of wanted to let the world see us without Marshall. He's doing his own thing. He's got his own album to worry about, to put out. We just wanted to just do it with the four fellas".[30]

On October 15, 2008, at an event held for his autobiography, The Way I Am, Eminem confirmed the title of the upcoming album to be Relapse. At the event, he also debuted a freestyle titled "I'm Having a Relapse".[22][21] It is uncertain whether any portion of the freestyle was derived from the material featured on the album.

That announcement coincided with Eminem's appearance on "Shade 45" stating he's been "bangin out tracks" and learning more of the production aspect of creating an album.[14]

In November 2008, it was reported by 50 Cent that "[Eminem's] going to push the restart button" with the release of Relapse, that Dr. Dre is producing the majority of the album, and that the death of Eminem's close friend and fellow rapper DeShaun Dupree "Proof" Holton was an inspiration on the record's material. "He has some really serious things to write about that he didn't quite get a chance to express," says 50 Cent.[31]

Guest artists

T.I. has stated that in addition to the 2007 single "Touchdown", he and Eminem recorded a second song as well, elaborating:[32]

"We did three records. One we did for him. You know how Marshall Mathers and Slim Shady have their beefs? Well, T.I. is trying to tell Marshall how to deal with Slim based on how he deals with T.I.P. Then T.I.P. butts in, like, 'You can't tell nobody nothing.' Then Em comes in and tells me, 'Who are you to tell me anything?' I was like, 'I'm just trying to help, homie.'"

In an interview with Loaded, 50 Cent stated he has also recorded a track with Eminem for Relapse.[33] DaShadySpot has since reported appearances by Cashis, Obie Trice and DMX, the latter two featuring on their first collaboration together with Eminem since 2003's "Go to Sleep", featured on the soundtrack to the film Cradle 2 the Grave.[34] According to Stat Quo, Jay-Z will also feature on Relapse, in a song titled "My Syllielable".[35]

When asked about Eminem's new album during an interview, fellow Aftermath artist Bishop Lamont responded, "No, but we're actually going to be doing...I don't want too get deep into it. It's a lot of magic going on, you know what I'm sayin'? You could see a "Bad Meets Evil" part 2, just like Royce and Em got down . . . We're brainstorming something really fresh, so you're definitely gonna see a collaboration. I'm gonna stop there! I want surprises for "The Reformation," but yeah, there's gonna be some magic. Em's got a crazy album, I can say that!"[8]

In a red carpet interview, frequent collaborator and labelmate 50 Cent stated that he will be on Eminem's upcoming album and just like Eminem's previous releases, the public will "go right back to lovin' him all over again."[36]

References

  1. ^ a b c Eminem Gives Details On His Relapse
  2. ^ a b "Eminem new album 'Relapse' release date leaked?". NME. Oct 28, 2008. Retrieved November 09 2008. However a spokesperson for the rapper label said a date had yet to be confirmed, explaining: "We still do not have an official release date for a new Eminem album. Any release dates that have been posted on any websites at this time are totally unfounded." {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ^ a b Total Finale Live Video Footage
  4. ^ 50 Cent Confirms Eminem Album. Contactmusic (May 24, 2007). Accessed August 1, 2007.
  5. ^ Paul W Arnold (August 28, 2007). Stat Quo Speaks Exclusively about Shady/Aftermath Deal. HipHopDX. Accessed August 30, 2007.
  6. ^ Graham, Adam (October 25, 2007). "D12's Bizarre celebrates new album with a release party" (fee required). The Detroit News. Retrieved 2007-10-29.
  7. ^ Slava Kuperstein (December 10, 2007). Alchemist Speaks on Upcoming Album, Eminem. HipHopDX. Accessed December 10, 2007.
  8. ^ a b Lamont, Bishop (2007). "Interview with BISHOP LAMONT" (Video & Transcript) (Interview). Interviewed by Eddie Gurrola. {{cite interview}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |program= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |subjectlink= ignored (|subject-link= suggested) (help) Retrieved on October 9, 2008.
  9. ^ a b c Eddie Gurrola (May 28, 2007). Exclusive Video Interview with Ca$his. Dubcnn. Accessed August 3, 2007.
  10. ^ Shade 45 (December 29, 2007). Obie Trice says Eminem's next album is completed. myflashfetish.com. Accessed December 29, 2007.
  11. ^ MTV News Staff (September 12, 2007). Eminem Says He's 'In Limbo' MTV. Accessed September 12, 2007.
  12. ^ a b Jokesta (August 1, 2007). "Eminem Not Releasing Album This Year". DefSounds. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
  13. ^ a b DaShadySpot.com - Ca$his interview (04/12/2008). DaShadySpot. Accessed April 26, 2008.
  14. ^ a b Jokesta (September 19, 2008). Reps Confirm New Eminem Album May Hit Stores 4th Quarter DefSounds. Accessed September 20, 2008.
  15. ^ Legends of the Fall. Rolling Stone. October 2008. p. 32. {{cite book}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ Graham, Adam (October 27, 2008). "Reports: Eminem's new album to hit stores Dec. 23" (fee required). The Detroit News. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
  17. ^ Interview with C Major DUBCNN. (June 2008)
  18. ^ Sha Money Motivation
  19. ^ Rhyme and Reason
  20. ^ The Money Motivation blog: Letter to the people. Accessed October 11, 2008.
  21. ^ a b Eminem's "Relapse" Coming After 50's "Before I Self Destruct" Accessed October 15, 2008.
  22. ^ a b Eminem Returns To Rap With 'Relapse' Accessed October 16, 2008
  23. ^ Robert Hilburn (September 23, 2007). Dr. Dre, mix marathon man. LA Times. Accessed September 22, 2007.
  24. ^ Gil Kaufman (February 29, 2008) Focus Bust With New Eminem, Dre Albums- And One Of His Own MTV News. Accessed March 1, 2008.
  25. ^ a b c d Andreas Hale (March 11, 2008). New Eminem Produced By DJ Premier???. HipHopDX. Accessed March 11, 2008.
  26. ^ Swizz Makes Beatz For Em
  27. ^ a b Swizz Beatz Talks About Songs He Submitted For LP, Including Collaboration With 50 Cent, Dr. Dre
  28. ^ Watch Video Swizzy and Angela
  29. ^ AftermathMusic.com - News March 2008 - Eminem Is Back In The Studio (March 18, 2008)
  30. ^ The return of D12 | Metromix Detroit
  31. ^ Inside Eminem's Comeback. In Touch Weekly. November 3, 2008. p. 62. {{cite book}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ Shaheem Reid (May 1, 2007). T.I. Gives 'Rappin' Fool' Eminem a T.I.P. about Alter Egos. MTV. Accessed August 1, 2007.
  33. ^ Fiddy Seeks Robbie Duet. Contactmusic (September 11, 2007). Accessed September 22, 2007
  34. ^ DaShadySpot (September 28, 2008). Eminem, DMX & Obie Trice To Reunite On Track DaShadySpot. Accessed September 28, 2008.
  35. ^ Stat Quo To Release "300-400" Unreleased Dr. Dre Tracks. HipHopDX.com. Accessed October 23, 2008.
  36. ^ ITN (September 15, 2008) 50 Cent on what he's been up to and his good mate Eminem YouTube. Accessed September 20, 2008.
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