His Eminence, Eminem is back after a hiatus of five years of his last album. He’s a superstar of rap; he’s shaken up the entertainment world and more than a few parents since he burst on the music scene. His songs are violent, angry, and increasingly main stream, and he’s been labeled as the most notorious figure in pop culture. The foul-mouthed rapper says his lyrics are not to be taken seriously but it’s only for music purpose and should be forgotten. Good or bad, he’s made it big in music and with ‘Relapse’ nothing’s changed for this rapper.

On this album of 15 tracks and 5 vocal interludes (known as skits), Eminem has taken recourse by including prescription pills in his lyrics. The lyrics have not changed; they’re still the dark feeling surrounding them with only Dr. Dre’s impressive hip hop beats making the album sound a little brighter, with some catchy melodies and beats. The album has been dedicated to his dead friend Proof who died sometime ago. He also talks about Proof who introduced him to drugs, heard in the song Déjà vu. This then is Eminem’s honest portrayal of his drug addiction, his violence days and his dig at music stars like Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon (Bagpipes from Baghdad) to rapping about sucking Jessica Alba’s breasts (We made you).

Eminem also talks of rape in Same song and Dance, while Insane has him talking about child molestation and My Mom where he puts the blame on his mom for introducing him to drugs namely - Valium.

This then is the Eminem that people think they know, the guy you read in the media and the same guy who once rhymed about killing his wife and hating homosexuals. The album inlay abounds with doctor’s prescription and capsules pics around. This album is definitely not for the kids, its adult based with highly explicit content.

Lyrics Included.

Record companies have suddenly become generous it seems, this album comes along with a free ‘Brass Knuckles’ – Nelly CD.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira