It may only be the third Friday of the year, but this will likely be remembered as one of the most exciting days of 2020 when it comes to new releases, thanks in large part to an album from one of the biggest names in the music industry that arrived without warning.
At midnight EST, Eminem dropped his latest full-length Music to Be Murdered By, which nobody but the record label and the musicians involved knew was coming.
The rapper’s eleventh proper full-length as Eminem (he has crafted albums with groups before), Music to Be Murdered By was produced by longtime collaborator Dr. Dre, who has worked with Slim Shady since the early days of his career.
The new project features 20 songs, and the tracklist include features with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Skylar Grey, and even Juice WRLD.
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Music to Be Murdered By is Eminem’s first album since 2018, when he also employed the surprise tactic when he unleashed Kamikaze.
That title appeared out of nowhere in August, and it did so less than a year after his album Revival was shared in December 2017.Today In: Business
Revival underperformed in some regards, especially when compared to past Eminem albums, so it appears the rapper was quick to jump back into the studio to work on a comeback.
While he has been known to take his time between releases at points in his career, the pace at which the most popular names in hip-hop share music has sped up, and the Grammy and Oscar winner may be quickening his output in order to keep up.
Music to Be Murdered By came accompanied by a music video for the song “Darkness,” which may be a sign it will serve as the set’s lead single.
The cover of the new album doesn’t feature the moniker Eminem anywhere, but it does have the name Slim Shady prominently displayed.
Shady is the rapper’s best-known alter ego, and it’s one he employs when he raps in a different style and focuses on darker, more controversial subject matter.
While he faces some tough competition in the shape of new releases by the likes of Mac Miller and Halsey, Eminem is already making a play for the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 in a little over a week, and he may very well collect another chart-topper.