Eminem fans are convinced they have uncovered a hidden message within the rapper’s new album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce).
Released on July 12, the highly-anticipated album by the 51-year-old star, born Marshall Mathers, has already proven a hit with fans who are sleuthing to find out what all of the lyrics mean.
And just before the 19 tracks dropped, Eminem added fuel to the fire by cryptically telling his followers how they should listen to the new album.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he warned: ‘Public service announcement: the ‘death of slim shady’ is a conceptual album, therefore, if you listen to songs out of order they might not make sense. Enjoy.’
By listening in order, the album seems to tell the story of him confronting his alter ego Slim Shady and eventually putting him to rest, which is in line with its name.
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Eminem (pictured in June 2024) fans are convinced they have uncovered a hidden message within the rapper’s new album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)
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Released on July 12, the highly-anticipated album by the 51-year-old star, born Marshall Mathers (pictured above in January 2020), has already proven a hit with fans who are sleuthing to find out what all of the lyrics mean
And just before the 19 tracks dropped, Eminem added fuel to the fire by cryptically telling his followers how they should listen to the new album
However, some hardcore fans of the rapper believe that the proper way to listen to The Death of Slim Shady and uncover its message is to listen to it in reverse.
They have taken to social media to theorise that the album is not actually about Slim Shady’s death, but instead about his revival and coming back to life, writing:
‘I’m not gonna lie those online theories about Eminem’s album storyline making more sense if you listen backwards kinda make sense.’
‘The Death Of Slim Shady is meant to be listened to in reverse, it tell the story of Eminem’s career.’
‘Yooooo listening to The Death of Slim shady backwards and it is actually the death of Eminem if you listen to it this way. Either way it’s the album of the year.’
‘If we listen to the album front to back, eminem kills shady; but if we listen to it backwards then shady kills eminem??? OMG!!! THEORY!!!! NEW ALBUM COMING!!!!’
‘The debate is over. The album makes more sense played BACKWARDS #Eminem’
‘If you’ve not listed to #TheDeathOfSlimShady backwards yet, then you’ve not experienced true wizardry.’
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By listening in order, the album seems to tell the story of him confronting his alter ego Slim Shady and eventually putting him to rest, which is in line with its name
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Some hardcore fans of the rapper believe that the proper way to listen to the The Death of Slim Shady and uncover it’s message is to listen to it in reverse
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Fans of the rap icon are hoping that this could mean more songs are coming to prove that Slim Shady is still kicking (Eminem pictured in 2021)
‘EMINEM YOU CLEVER F***!!!! THE ALBUM IS IN REVERSE!!!! #TheDeathOfSlimShady.’
‘You’ve blown my mind with this theory.’
‘Public service announcement, I think we are supposed to listen to the New Eminem album backwards. Listening to it in order from last song to first song makes the album make a whole lot more sense.’
Listeners are guessing that the final song on the album, Somebody Save Me, if listened to first is actually foreshadowing Eminem’s ‘death’.
On top of this, they believe the track Renaissance, which becomes the last song when the album is listened to backwards, represents a rebirth for Slim Shady.
Fans of the rap icon are hoping that this could mean more songs are coming to prove that Slim Shady is still kicking.
This is a complete twist from the initial theories that the rapper’s 12th studio album could have also been his last.
Back in May, posting to his official accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, the 15-time Grammy winner posted a mysterious video of an open iMessage chat, dated Friday May 31 at 12am.
Eminem announces album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace)
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Listeners are guessing that the final song on the album, Somebody Save Me, if listened to first is actually foreshadowing Eminem’s ‘death’ (pictured in 2015)
Addressed to ‘All Contacts,’ the message was initially blurred before it came together to read: ‘…and for my last trick!’
The profile picture of the contact was an emoji-style cartoon of a rabbit wearing a top hat – and the rap star also changed his own social media profile pictures to the same one.
Fans were convinced that the strange clip could be a clue for when the superstar will release a single from the album, or even the entire thing.
Frantically taking to social media, divided fans of the superstar began theorising – with some worried that the wording could be hinting that it will be his last ever album.
Elsewhere on The Death Of Slim Shady, the track Temporary, written for daughter Hailie Jade Scott, has moved fans to tears.
It was written to help Hailie cope for when her father is ‘no longer here’ – with the rapper promising to serve as her guardian angel.
It features heartwarming interactions between Eminem and his daughter when she was just a toddler.
The young father plays with his daughter and asks his little ‘monster’ for a kiss – and even playfully chastises her after she is caught saying a curse word.
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The rap icon and his daughter (far R) pictured at his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in November 2022
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Eminem’s daughter Hailie Jade Scott with her now-husband, Evan McClintock
Hailie, age 28, is now a married woman; the influencer wed Evan McClintock in May.
‘A lot of people ask me, am I afraid of death?’ Eminem begins. ‘The truth is, I think what scares me the most is not being able to say all the things I wanna say to you when I’m no longer here. So this song is for Hailie, for when that day comes.’
In the lyrics, Eminem urges his daughter to ‘dry’ her tears and promises to forever watch over her.
‘Yeah, so Hailie Jade, I wrote you this song. To help you cope with life now that I’m gone. How should I start? Just wanna say.
‘Look after Eleana, Stevie and Uncle Nate/And, sweetie, be strong; I know I was your rock, and I still am/Saying goodbye is just not ever easy/Why you crying? Just stop/Hailie, baby, dry your eyes, this is not forever.’