Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Guess who’s back? Eminem resurrects Slim Shady on new single ‘Houdini’

Rapper also shares video featuring cameos from Pete Davidson, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg, while his track references Megan Thee Stallion

Roisin O'Connor
Friday 31 May 2024 08:24 BST
Comments
Eminem teases new song 'Houdini' alongside David Blaine

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

And for his next trick... Eminem has revived his impish alter-ego Slim Shady for new track “Houdini”, the much-teased lead single from his forthcoming album, believed to be titled The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce).

The song, which harks back to the US rapper’s 2002 hit “Without Me”, is also accompanied by a music video featuring cameos from Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Pete Davidson, 50 Cent and comedian Shane Gillis.

It opens with a skit from Eminem’s longtime manager Paul Rosenberg, who calls up the rapper to tell him: “Hey Em, it’s Paul, uh, I was listening to the album... good f***ing luck, you’re on your own,” before hanging up the phone.

“Houdini” uses the same bouncing hook from “Without Me” and similarly sees him taking aim at critics, his own family, and himself: “Still a white jerk (It’s him!), pullin’ up in a Chrysler to the cypher.”

Eminem, real name Marshall Mathers, also namechecks fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion with wordplay that references her 2020 shooting by Tory Lanez: “If I was to ask for Megan Thee (What?)/ Stallion if she would collab with me/ Would I really have a shot at a feat? (Haha).”

Later, he references the notorious faked 2016 kidnapping by Sherri Papini as he also compares himself to Hungarian-American escape artist Harry Houdini: “'Cause you're never gon' see me/ Caught sleepin' and see the kidnappin' never did happen/ Like Sherri Papini, Harry Houdini/ I vanish into the thin air as I'm leavin' like...”

Eminem in his music video for ‘Houdini'
Eminem in his music video for ‘Houdini' (YouTube/screengrab)

While Eminem has promised the album for summer, fans might notice that he turns 52 in October, close to the date that Houdini himself died, also aged 52. Whether this means he has something planned for that date, to tie in with him killing off Slim Shady, remains to be seen.

Before releasing “Houdini”, Eminem shared a teaser with David Blaine, in which the magician and illusionist eats a wine glass while he declares: “Well, for my last track, I’m gonna make my career disappear.”

The video, directed by Rich Lee, finds him back in his Rapboy costume from the “Without Me” video and hurtling around a comic strip universe with his younger self. He also brings back the wannabe Slim Shadys who featured in his 2000 MTV Video Music Awards performance.

Pete Davidson (right) with Eminem in the rapper’s music video for ‘Houdini'
Pete Davidson (right) with Eminem in the rapper’s music video for ‘Houdini' (YouTube)

At the end of the clip, comedian Pete Davidson takes over driving his Lamborghini (”trust me, I’m a great driver”) and sends them careening through the streets at night.

The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), is due for release this summer and will follow Eminem’s last record, 2020’s Music to Be Murdered By.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in