Sometimes I sense that living in contemporary America must feel like nonstop walking on eggshells, always worrying that something you could say might offend. I’ve lived in Spain now for over a decade, where people are decidedly more chill. But I get that feeling whenever I visit the U.S.—it’s like an uncomfortable tightness.
Although I’m certainly quite left politically, especially for an American, I’m not overly concerned with being politically correct. I’m usually happy to dance around the lines of good taste to get a laugh, although I try not to do it in predictable ways. And I certainly could filter certain of my opinions more diplomatically.
And then there are people who seem to live just to get under everyone else’s skin. Case in point—Eminem, America’s rapping court jester, too absurdly delightful to ignore. He boasts a playful linguistic virtuosity and a gleeful will to shock and offend which is sorely missing in today’s ultra-sensitive climate. If he ever appeared on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, he’d probably be drawn and quartered by both Marjory Taylor Greene and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez alike (although I suspect they both might secretly like him, at least a little).
Eminem has the mentality of a true provocateur: he doesn’t necessarily believe the things he says; he just says things he knows will offend the most people possible. “Role Model” seems to sum up much of his ethos perfectly—don’t look up to him, don’t believe him, just laugh along. It’s a game, and as long as you understand that and are in on the joke, then it’s all cool. (I speak mostly of his first few albums—the little I’ve heard of his later work doesn’t seem to have quite the same magic. I haven’t listened much to his recent album, which by most accounts is a solid comeback.)
Nowadays, the habit of offending seems to be linked more closely to the right wing of the political spectrum (which is probably partly to blame for the left’s hyper-sensitive vibe these days). Today, the most deliberately and casually offensive man in American politics will be sworn in as President for the second time. He’s a man whose entire persona seems driven to brazen lies and bullying insults. Eminem is not a fan of Donald Trump, and neither am I. The 2024 Presidential election seemed to me to have almost no acceptable outcome. If Harris won, Trump would have most certainly denied the election results and quite probably attempted a military coup, which if successful would have meant the end of democracy in the U.S. as we know it. Now that Trump has won, he may dismantle American democracy piece by piece from the inside. This second term will be his Revenge Tour. Liz Cheney, you might want to leave the country while you still can.
Here’s a sampling from Eminem’s first few albums, some of the most essential rap of its time. I’ve gone over my usual CD-length to add a couple singles.
Cover Art:
- The Slim Shady LP and The Marshall Mathers LP (back cover): Source, Discogs.com, Fair use.
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