Eminem Covers Complex Talks Relapse 2

[Mikey]

I just met Eminem again, for the first time in 10 years. Don't get me wrong, we've spoken at least a half-dozen times since our initial introduction back in May of '98, when I interviewed him for BLAZE Magazine. But the guy I dealt with in those intervening years? Well, he was a different person. The dude I met in that strip mall parking lot more than a decade ago, listening to mixes on the stock system of his Buick rental, was outgoing, hilarious, genuine, razor-sharp, and endlessly talented. He was a walking adventure and an inspiration. But, with him being overwhelmed by the fame—and then the work, and then the drugs—every encounter we shared after the release of The Slim Shady LP got incrementally more awkward, involved less eye contact, and left me feeling more concerned about the collateral damage of his unmitigated success.
For the first few years this change was to be expected, as his ubiquitous celebrity necessitated isolation, and his grueling schedule of albums, tours, and movies would be enough to wear down even the most rugged. But the relationship hit its nadir, for me, with an interview in February of 2006—weeks before the murder of his best friend, Proof. I had no idea the depth of his troubles, but detached, glassy-eyed, and at least 30 pounds heavier than just six months prior, Eminem seemed to be plunging off the deep end. I don't know Em well enough to call him Marshall, but I do know enough to say with certainty that the bloated space cadet at that shoot was not the guy I'd met wearing that same damn Nike hat. And as the aforementioned personal tragedy unfolded, and the public became more aware of his deteriorating condition, from a distance it really felt like Em might be living out the frequent and unwelcome comparisons to Elvis— specifically, an untimely, pill-addled end.
Thankfully, Em's survivor spirit, and the help of his most trusted loved ones, stymied his addiction. Seeing Em reemerge healthy, thin, and drug-free with Relapse this spring, I—and damn near everyone else who likes to hear words rhymed skillfully—breathed easy. Sure, he seemed serious and sometimes stiff on his press tour. And the album, despite mostly positive reviews, caught its share of critical flak for its formulaic roll-out (poppy "nyeah-nyeah" first single, dark second single, etc). None of that mattered, though; Eminem was back! And those who knew shit about shit knew the music was damn good. And the fans spoke with their wallets—to the tune of 1.5 million units, the highest-selling rap record of 2009.
Which brings me back to our reintroduction today in Detroit. Animated, relaxed, funny, and most importantly, fully engaged, the guy sitting across from me is once again the dude that I met over a decade ago. And what's more, it's clear that as The Slim Shady LP only teased at Eminem's potential as an artist, Relapse only teases at the promise of his recovery. His awe-inspiring, precise performance on the A-list posse cut of the year, "Forever," is more than just a reminder of Eminem's maniacally focused talent in full gear—it's a promise. And a challenge. Relapse 2 is to Relapse what The Dark Knight was to Batman Begins. That's my word.
Pulling himself away from his pursuit of happiness (mixing a Just Blaze-produced future classic), Em sat with Complex to discuss his chase of the perfect album, his obsessive compulsions, and what exactly a Spankwire is. It's nice to meet him. Again.

You've had about five months to sit with your "comeback," Relapse. What are your feelings about it now?
Eminem: I was happy with it when I put it out—but honestly, I haven't given it too much thought since then because I've been so busy working on Relapse 2.
So the sequel won't reflect your reaction to the first one and its reception?
Eminem: Well, when I finished Relapse, I had a whole album of material that didn't make it that I wasn't ready to throw away, so that was going to be Relapse 2. But then I got with Dre in Hawaii and started recording more, and now the new material has knocked out all the old songs. But yeah, the new material is definitely different. Making Relapse, I was still working the drugs out of my system, so there was a lot of...just jokey shit. It was a lot of punchline-y, funny, shock value—kind of going back to The Slim Shady LP. And that was cool, but I've kind of flipped the page. Now I'm going for songs instead of one-liners. I don't want to make shit that you hear once and then the joke's over; I want to make records that you could play a hundred times, a thousand times

On Relapse 2:

So the sequel won’t reflect your reaction to the first one and its reception?
Eminem: Well, when I finished Relapse, I had a whole album of material that didn’t make it that I wasn’t ready to throw away, so that was going to be Relapse 2. But then I got with Dre in Hawaii and started recording more, and now the new material has knocked out all the old songs. But yeah, the new material is definitely different. Making Relapse, I was still working the drugs out of my system, so there was a lot of…just jokey shit. It was a lot of punchline-y, funny, shock value—kind of going back to The Slim Shady LP. And that was cool, but I’ve kind of flipped the page. Now I’m going for songs instead of one-liners. I don’t want to make shit that you hear once and then the joke’s over; I want to make records that you could play a hundred times, a thousand times.

On “Forever”:

Speaking of being on your game, who had the second-best verse on “Forever”?
Eminem: Who had the second-best verse? [Laughs.] I don’t know, I like everybody’s verses—but I like Drake’s verse a lot. I wouldn’t say I had the best verse; everybody approached the beat different. Kanye was crazy, too, and Wayne. I just saw the beat differently than anybody else did; for some reason, I felt like the beat was a double-time beat, so I rapped faster.

On Sobriety:

So you’re stone-sober these days?
Eminem: Yeah, it’ll be 18 months on the 20th [of October]. I realized I can’t touch anything, and that’s why I’m clean right now and why I’m going to stay clean. My brain just doesn’t know when to shut off. When I do something I have to do it all the way—that goes for music, with a high-hat, a snare drum, a rhyme, everything. I have to push it to the extreme. That’s how I realized I have addictive behavior. Somebody told me this once, that the thing that makes me bad is the same thing that makes me good at other things.


On MTV’s Hottest MC’s List:

In case someone wants to put money on it. [Laughs.] Speaking of 50, he’s been venting about his placement on MTV’s “Hottest MCs” list. You were excluded.
Eminem: You know, when I heard that the other day, I didn’t really think too much of it. My only comment was, “That’s some peoples’ opinion.” It’s their opinion, and opinions can’t be wrong. As long as I’m comfortable with what I’m doing and I’m comfortable in my zone, then that’s that



http://www.complex.com/CELEBRITIES/Cover-Story/Eminem <<rest of interview

[Mikey]

cant wait for r2

[Ricardo]

it will be a more personal album i guess
so its gonna be carzy

[Mikey]

yeah
and way better than r1

[SLAVA*KNOCCOUT ENT AFFILIATED*]

who cares???

[SLAVA*KNOCCOUT ENT AFFILIATED*]

suck my white hairy dick fagget

[Scotty str8 outta jerz]

Relapse 2 is to Relapse what The Dark Knight was to Batman Begins. That's my word.

^^cant wait for relapse 2

[Mikey]

eah gonna be a classic
em isnt the type to boast bout shit

[Scotty str8 outta jerz]

yeah def, im really hoping for an Em Show type album tho that showcases his talent in many different types of tracks

[Mikey]

yeah em show is my favourite
hes not doing we made you type songs which is good

[Kurtis]

yeah every song on Eminem show i can play over constantly. but i guess we will have some sort of we made u song (silly type)

but yeah relapse 2 wil lbe album of the year. fuck dr dre lmao is shit aint coming out for another 10 years

[KCMO ►Blue Fitted Demeanor◄]

i hope its better than relapse, i couldnt rock to that shit

[Gatman | Work Magic]

Im gna download that bitch 4 free just like every1 else did 4 BiSd...