“You are just doing the same sh*t you always do”: Eminem Explains His Decision to End Slim Shady Persona That Made His Rap Career

Eminem is widely known for popularizing the rap genre and establishing himself as one of the best rappers the world has seen. In a world where Black rappers were the norm, the Without You singer is often credited with having broken racial barriers and making space for White rappers.

For years, Eminem used his Slim Shady persona to express more extreme and exaggerated aspects of his personality and creativity through outrageous, controversial, and often violent lyrics. However, he has now decided to kill the persona and make peace with being Marshall Mathers. He has also offered an explanation to those questioning his decision.

Eminem Has Come Clean Regarding His Decision to End His Slim Shady Persona

It is no secret that Eminem has had a tough childhood and even a tough life altogether considering all of his family problems and past addiction. His career too has not been a walk in the park since his first solo venture into the professional music scene came with the release of his debut music album Infinite. Upon its release in 1996, it was a commercial failure.

Ever the fighter, the Lose Yourself rapper came up with Slim Shady, a vicious and violent alter ego. This got the public’s attention. His 1997 debut EP Slim Shady EP, explored many serious themes and it was also the album that convinced Dr. Dre to sign Eminem to Aftermath Entertainment despite his associates’ skepticism about hiring a White rapper.

Then came the Slim Shady LP which helped the rapper achieve mainstream success. The alter-ego has been a major part of his identity for years, but he is now ready to say goodbye to it. Explaining his decision in a conversation Slim Shady vs. Marshall Mathers: The Face-Off for the July cover of Complex, Mathers addressed Shady, saying:

Bro, you’re just doing the same s***you always do. Make the f***ing single fake controversial without really offending anyone, and then put all the f***ed up on the deep cuts so that people talk about the album after it drops.

This has come after the release of his twelfth studio album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) album, and solidified the fact that the alter ego is gone for good.

Slim Shady Brought Up Taylor Swift During the Heated Conversation

The old Slim Shady can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Obviously, because Mathers has decided to kill him but also because he is busy praising Taylor Swift. During the face-off between himself and Mathers, Shady criticized the other saying that he would never be as influential without the moniker.

Don’t get it twisted […] You’re not f***in’ Taylor Swift. You had one era that mattered–mine.

This shoutout seems to allude to the fact that Swift has had many successful phases throughout her musical career even when she continually reinvented her style. Eminem and Swift have been openly supportive of each other over the years, but it is always nice to have one legend acknowledge the other.