GROWING UP –  

July 12, 2024 – It’s his 12th studio album,“The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce),” Eminem lands the proverbial death blow amid 19 tracks – including three skits and a scene-setting opening – with his trademark combination of rhyme-dropping dexterity, decidedly un-politically-correct references and crass humor.

He’s a lyrical pugilist throughout – except when he turns misty-eyed dad rapping about daughter Hailie Jade – and salts his insults with sarcasm.

“Kendrick’s album was cool, but it didn’t have any bangers/Wayne’s album or Ye’s, couldn’t tell you which one was lamer /Joyner’s album was corny, Shady’s new s— is way worse,” he unfurls on “Renaissance,” the opening track reminiscent of the pumping backdrop of “Lose Yourself.”

But those aren’t disses, just Eminem trying to distance himself from Slim Shady, a shadow that airs grievances about pronoun use, transgender people and people with disabilities. Sometimes, though, it’s unclear who is spewing the vitriol – Eminem or Slim Shady?

CONTINUE@USAToday