Up until three months ago the question which music people were asking each other was if Eminem would even be nominated after his loud and public bashing of the Grammy award show and the press in his song "The Real Slim Shady." Quoth the Slimmeister, "You think I give a damn about a grammy/half of you critics can't even stomach me/let alone stand me." Would the Music Academy head the word of Marshall?
We knew the answer quickly, as Eminem was nominated for a number of Grammy's in the Rap category. After the smoke cleared and the initial group of protestors dispersed the next question was will he even be there. He told us how he felt about such an award that was given from a group of people who really didn't even appreciate his music. His actions spoke louder in words when he failed to attend both the Billboard Awards and the American Music Awards. But we would learn that not only would he be at the Grammy's to hopefully receive another gold record player (last year he won for his first single "My Name Is") but he would be performing his hit (and prophetic) song "Stan." But instead of Dido doing her sample from the song, as she did on "Saturday Night Live" and the opening performance of last falls Anger Management Tour, pop-rock legend, icon, and artist Elton John will be performing the duet with Eminem.
Now for those of you who have lived in a cave for the last twenty years, or who haven't watched "VH1's Behind the Music," Elton John is not only one of the most recognized and celebrated singer/songwriter/performer, he has been openly gay for a number of years. So imagined how surprised this correspondent was when he heard that Elton and Eminem would be performing together. I wouldn't say I was appalled, just surprised. I was even more surprised to hear a quote from Elton John concerning Eminem. I was expecting to hear him say something that might insult Em, but instead what he said blew my mind. According to MTV news (we hear it first), Sir Elton likes Eminem's album. Elton said that he doesn't think Eminem is anti-gay but he is anti-establishment.
Wow. I have decided that Elton John is the bravest person in the music industry. Not only does he agree to do a duet with the most protested man in music today but he also goes as far as to say that he thinks Eminem is a genius, a comment that he knows will obviously bring criticism from not only his fans but Eminem's enemies in the gay community. And this brings the obvious question: what does this all mean, besides that it is the second to last sign of the Apocalypse (cats and dogs living together in harmony is the final sign)?
Will it mean that Eminem will soften his attitude? Probably not. On more than one occasion has Eminem defended his lyrics against both critics and fans, saying that his words are just those words, that they don't necessarily reflect his opinions. Despite the attacks from anti-Em fans he hasn't stopped practicing what he has been preaching and doesn't show any sign of stopping.
But will it mean that the animosity toward Eminem will be toned down? Elton John's honest opinion of Eminem's Marshall Mathers EP may be the start of an avalanche to his acceptance (albeit a small one) in a community that discourages his album sales and his lyrics, despite his claims that they are just words. Some music fans think that Elton is doing the duet to do just this to create acceptance between both parties. These same people hope that Eminem will not exploit this opportunity and use it as a reason to say, "Hey look, I like gay people; I did do a duet with Elton John."
This brings another question: which Eminem will show up to the award show? Will it be the lyrical genius Marshall Mathers, whose songs like "Drug Ballad," 'The Real Slim Shady," "The Way I Am" and "Stan" speak to not only Eminem fans but also all people with problems? Very few songwriters are able to create the realism and sense of understanding the Eminem has in songs from his latest effort. Although the album is covered with material that is not only disgusting to listen to and offensive to basically every group of people out there, these four songs show his understanding of young men, women, and addicts out on the streets of every town USA. "The Real Slim Shady," with its pop music sound and easy to repeat lyrics, is actually a song stating why people shouldn't be him. Although he likes fans and encourages them to like him, there is a limit that fan should go to. This message is taken to another level in the song "Stan." Stan, a demented fan who feels that he and Eminen are soul mates, copies him and his life. Marshall answers him not as Eminem but as himself, and when he does he tells him to seek help for his behavior. Marshall Mathers without a doubt has the ability to look deep within him to give a message to the world.
But then what if Marshall Mathers shows up at the Grammys as Eminem, the bad boy rapper who carries around unloaded guns in attempts to intimidate anyone? The Eminem who won so many MTV Video Music Awards last fall, and whose acceptance speech was him pulling out pills representing drugs from his pocket? The character who really doesn't care about what you say about him, he'll keep on doing things just to annoy you? If this character shows up to perform with Elton John it could be not only a hostile environment, but also a sad day in music.
Nick Pizzolato is a Collegian staff member.
Information from an Mtv News brief was used in this article.
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