Eminem‘s Revival has arrived.
After dropping an anvil on Donald Trump’s cranium during his BET Cypher in October, talk of a new album revved up when a website for a fictional prescription drug called RƎVIVAL popped up online. A month later, rumors became reality when Em aired out his insecurities on “Walk On Water” with Beyoncé.
From there, Em took over Saturday Night Live with Chance the Rapper, revealed the artwork and tracklist (causing fans worldwide to throw up their mom’s spaghetti, thanks to a pop-driven guest list), and tackled white privilege on the album’s second single, “Untouchable.”
Now, the wait is over, and Eminem has officially released his ninth studio album; featuring Royce 5’9″, Westside Gunn, Conway, Boogie, D12, Ed Sheeran, Skylar Grey, Alicia Keys, X Ambassadors, Pink, Kehlani, and Phresher.
“I’ve been working on it for over a year. You know how it is—you make songs, and as you make the new ones, the old ones get old and you throw them out,” Em says. “It’s a reflection of where I’m at right now, but also I feel like what I tried to do was diversify. I’ve tried to make a little something for everyone.”
For me, after two straight listens, Em delivered a “little something” for everyone… else. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever give it a third. And although I think the overall consensus will mirror mine, that’s not to say you won’t enjoy it. The only way to find out, though, is to press play.
On top of the album, Eminem also performed a medley of songs (“Walk On Water,” “Stan,” “Won’t Back Down” and “Berzerk”) on BBC Radio 1—with help from Skylar Grey, Mr. Porter and Alchemist.
