Back in June, I covered an interview Eminem did with the New York Times. The interview was really good, and really interesting, mostly because Eminem sounded sober, grounded, mature and… well, grown-up. Since I read that piece, I’ve caught bits and pieces of his interviews, and he does seem consistently nicer now. Not like he’s lost his edge – just that he doesn’t really care about how he comes across at this point, and he’s just focused on being honest with himself and with his fans. Anyway, Em and Dre are the cover boys for the August/September issue of Vibe, and Em gives some more interesting quotes. He even talks about his 8 Mile costar Brittany Murphy:
Do you think about your own death?
Yeah, I do. A lot. I think about it a lot. I try not to think about it but I do and it creeps me the f-ck out. It creeps me out because they say that if I got to the hospital two hours later then I would be gone. I think about that a lot. When I lay in bed at night is when I think about it the most. It creeps me out man.THE BEST EMINEM DISS TRACK ACCORDING TO EM/ What was the best thing someone said about you? Was there ever a hot Eminem diss?
Um, no. [Laughs.] Nah, I’m kidding. Sh-t, there was a couple of lines Everlast said like, “You ain’t running up on me with no empty gun.” I know that there is a lot of sh-t that I would have said about me.ON BRITTANY MURPHY’S PASSING: What were your thoughts when you heard that your 8 Mile co-star Brittany Murphy had passed?
It was crazy. It’s crazy. It’s crazy because at one point we were very close and she was a really good person. It’s crazy when you see things not just with her but just all these things that are happening in Hollywood with people in music, with people in acting . . .. . . famous people.
Famous people. Famous people are overdosing at alarming rates and—that almost sounded like a commercial. Wow.It sounded like a Sally Struthers commercial. “Please give to this charity.”
Right. But they are. And it’s one of those things man where you’re famous, doctors will kiss your ass because they love the celebrity. “Oh, I can call up Eminem and get him on the phone right now. Oh, hi Marshall, how are you doing? Do you need that [prescription]?” There are doctors that will give you certain things just because of who you are.
[From Vibe]
That’s sad what he says about doctors. Who wants to bet that Em probably has some hardcore thoughts about what Lindsay Lohan is going through? I bet they’re not all nasty either, I bet he really relates to her. But the difference between what Lindsay went through and what Em went through… well, there are a lot of differences, but I think one of the main things is that Em got straight for his kids, and for his fans. He wanted to be better for other people. Lindsay just uses other people’s well-wishes to enable her habit. Plus, who is she going to get sober for? Ali? Ali worships her, sober or cracked-out.
Vibe cover courtesy of Vibe online.
He’s made a lot of positive changes in his life as of late. Good for him.
I ♥ Em! He is my rapper fantasy.
Good on you, M.
Always Pulling for Em to beat his deamons.
The thing I think will prove that he is truly one of the most gifted talented musician of his genre and generation is that he will always say what he thinks and feels- honesty -of his own opinion and experience- and that he isn’t afraid to grow, learn and change that opinion over time. its admirable that he even recognizes mistakes in his past (honest) opinions and perspectives.
These sort of character traits have always defined Em, and have probably been responsible for a great deal of his success. Many of his past opinions horrify me, and its refreshing to see him grow.
Please don’t compare Eminem to Lindsay XD
Glad he is getting his s-it straight. Not many would bother so more power to him & his family.
i really love him. A clever. honest men in showbussiness is so hard to find…
I feel the exact same way about Eminem as I do about Brittney Murphy. They are both real artists with real artist problems. Glad that Em is still alive and still creative. Wish it were true for Brittney Murphy.
His album is so great too. Probably the definitive hip-hop comeback album of our time. For him to come so close to capturing that epic world dominating glory of The Eminem Show (2002) again in 2010 is something special, and just shows what a class act he is;.
That’s a really good point about Lindsay not having anyone to pull herself together for (she could do that for herself of course, but I’m betting she’s got issues about that). Gah. It’s just too bad about Lindsay, I just can’t see good things happening for her – she’s just surrounded by so much bad stuff and … frankly, I just don’t see her having the strength of character to pull through.
About this dude. He’s always been really interesting and far more talented and intelligent than he’s let on. I think he’ll be around for a good long while in one successful form or another. I read that comment about Murphy as he knew her while they worked together and she WAS a really great person and then something happened to her personality and it all went nasty. Not that he was being mean, but that he saw a good person go bad, thanks to the crap going on in LA.
Please. Em has more talent in his pinky than Hohan has in her whole body.
sure he makes good music, but his life and his views are simply that of an angry, misogynist. He doesn’t do any good in this world. He produces angry, abusive lyrics towards women, that become hugely popular and part of the mainstream culture. That’s his legacy. Hope he doesn’t f-up his daughter’s sense of self worth.
I’ve always wondered if he’s truly a misogynist. If so, then I stand corrected. But personally, I’ve always thought he was just effed up because a wacked upbringing. I’ve encountered true misogynists and I just don’t get the same mean, negative vibe from eminem (his vids were, but again, I got more of a sense of effed up than someone who’s through and through a mean mo-fo who really hates women. I just don’t think Eminem hates women).
I thought britt and him were adorable in 8 mile. its so sad. Everyone is breaking down or dead. :/
grammatically speaking, good wishes, not well wishes, is appropriate.
sorry to niggle but I have seen this error like ten times today.
@DD, I know what you mean, but I also know that he has talked about those past views and perspectives and, while not apologizing for them, he has backed off, stated in many cases he was wrong about his opinion at the time.
Given the background he came from, I am not surprised that he held such opinions at the time expressed, but I was extremely surprised that over time he took a look at his own views, admitted to himself (and everyone else) he had been wrong and tries to become a more enlightened person.
meme, you beat me to it. how can you compare Eminem to any Lohan, in terms of talent?
He does sound like he’s grown up a bunch. I think I’ll stop hating him for all his assery now.
Still hot!
FINALLY! They had such awesome chemistry in 8Mile, I have been wanting to know his reaction to her death. Interesting he didn’t go into more detail, I like to think they had a thing going on because they were hot in that movie.
His new cd has been in my car stereo for three weeks and is the only thing I listen to. LOVE IT!
@d – I was raised by a man who is a misogynist, he also hated his mother, she left him to live with another man when he was young. Everyone around him thinks he’s a great man, he never reveals his true feelings unless he’s angry or drunk at home. When I listen to emimen’s lyrics, or any other songs with the same content I am reminded by how I grew up and how it has affected me. I also feel that real mysoginist’s use his music as validation of their views. And if he writes thoses lyrics trust me, they are personal to him. I hope he grows out of it one day, for his daughter’s sake. Now if he went out there and spoke out against violence and abuse against women after writing some of those songs, I might think differently. But as far as I know he hasn’t done anything like that.
I love love love this man. He’s obviously gotten better, wiser and seems much more grounded with age. Good for him…I’ll have me a nice long sip of Em now 😉
I grew up in Detroit and, looks wise, I’ve always thought that Em looked like every other white boy working at Dominos. Not that he isn’t talented, I just never thought he was anything special to stare at. But, for some reason, I think he looks really *dare I say it* handsome in those bottom pictures! Maybe all that new found maturity is showing in his face. Or maybe he’s just grown up and no longer looks like an angry teenager. Either way, I approve.
Also, I really am glad he cleaned himself up. I always respected that Em stayed in Detroit after he made it big. I suppose that’s hypocritical of me, since I left Detroit for NYC at 19. But, there’s something very real about him keeping things based close to home. He didn’t take his money and run off to LA to be a fame whore, and I really appreciate that about him. I’d be in Detroit too if there were any jobs there!
Anyway, I like the new, grown up, Em. I wish him all the best!
funny how everyone was so over Em five seconds ago, and now everyone’s back to being his #1 fan. I love that he gets that though – he sees the big picture and he isn’t fooled by people’s bandwagon jumping worshipping. There’s another difference between him and Lindsay to throw on the pile.
he looks better than ever. maturity agrees with him.
He’s so talented and I’m glad he’s doing well.
As f@cked up as his upbringing was, I don’t think it was as bad as Lohan’s. I also think he is more intelligent, resourseful and does not have an organic brain disorder like she does.
I do hope he figures out his hatred of women however. Because he is talented and I would like to enjoy his music.
Good for him!
I think he has gotten better looking with age, and he looks better since he lost weight. I am not really a fan of his music….but he is talented.
“As f@cked up as his upbringing was, I don’t think it was as bad as Lohan’s.”
See, I would think it is the other way around.
I don’t feel sorry for Lindsay. Her parents are d-bags, but lots of people grow up with self absorbed parents.
I am glad Eminem shared his struggle with drugs. At least he didn’t try to cover it up and others can learn. I love the song “Cleaning Out My Closet”.
I only listen to Metal bands but I would be lying if I said I didnt own this guys records. I think he’s brilliant.
shame he is so dumb. good thing he’s rich.
Kaiser I love how youre nice on the guys and hard on this girls. This dude talked about killing his mother and the mother of his children in his songs.
Less than a year ago he did a 5 min diss to mariah Carey callling her a whore , bitch, saying he had sex tapes of her. He went all insane talking about her. He is a mysognist. I can’t any female could care about his generic music. I’ll listen to the roots …nas… common… Mos def… And a couple mainstream artists. Not some guy pretending to be nice to sale records and trying to be cool by going on about his drug habit.
Maybe Lindsay should clean up and pop out a couple of kids. That might make her more grounded and get her out of her self-obsession. Then again she might just end up being a really bad parent.
Yeah just like Eminem is a bad parent. His girls weren’t babies when he decided to be a druggy. Lohan is 24. Young. Wish the girl the best and move on.
The interesting thing about Eminem now vs Eminem then is his interviews. I haven’t heard his new music, but just in his intervies – he appears to have grown up quite a bit. He chooses his words carefully, like he’s considering that words can have consequences.
I completely applaud his growth and admitting he used to be an angry person. There was a place he must have come from a lot of people won’t understand. You can see that in his music, which I don’t agree with or enjoy hearing (the lyrics) but what I do appreciate (in a non-fan way) is there really was an emotional place he was coming from. He’s an intriguing individual to look at from a psychological perspective.
@ DD: I’m sorry that you had such a horrible father growing up. I guess we’ve had different experiences and I imagine your childhood must have been very hard. I hope there’s nothing but good in your life now.
As for Eminem, I’m sure I’ve read interviews where he talked about the headspace that he was in when he wrote those songs and acknowledged that they were nasty against women. I agree, misogynists will use Eminem’s music to justify their views, etc., but I thought the Eminem had kinda since disavowed them. Anyway, we are probably agreeing at this point, from somewhat different perspectives.
love him
Glad he’s doing better, I remember him in 8 mile with Brittany M-hot! I think he’s talented, hope his lyrics mature as he has.
@ DD – Agreed 100%..
@ birdgherl – he might not be einstein but i wouldn’t call him stupid. he couldnt have written music well and be successful at it if he’s stupid IMO.
@DRG-Homie!I am a motorcity type as well, which may explain a lot about why I like this guy. He grew, his music and his opinions evolved. Misogynstic? Maybe-but life experience has sure changed him. I am looking forward to further developments.
I’ve always loved his music and couldn’t give a shit about the antics. Years back when he balooned into a whale and ate filet mignon every night, I thought…oh ya…here he goes….out like a light. He can’t handle his bank roll, his celebrity, his hangers-on, and his perscription habit. Call him a misogynists, but I saw the deep feeling artist. He seems less concerned about trying to hide and be hard. Vernerable almost. It’s fucking great! I’m thankful cuz this release is fucking dope.
Tell me some great lines from this artist. He doesn’t have any.
the difference between em and lindsay isn’t that he got straight for his kids. it’s that his drug addiction was a result of depression. he got addicted to sleeping pills – not some shit like heroin or cocaine like these hollywood ‘always-ready-to-party’ girls/boys
Hey, great internet site. I actually searched this on Bing, and I’m truly happy I did. I will definately be revisiting here more often. Wish I could add to the topic and share a trifle more to the table, but I am just sucking up as much data as I can at the moment.
i am proud of him for being proud he quit drugs. it’s a good message to send to people. life is better when you’re clean and sober.