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Relapse

(2009, Rap, by Eminem, Label: Shady Records)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 17.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Social value lost in glorification of pills, rape, murder.

Why We Rated This not for kids

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    This album is loaded with all sorts of contemptible behavior, including multiple descriptions of rape, murder, and drug addiction.
  • Violence:

    Where to begin? Maybe the serial killing sprees, the premeditated rapes or the references to infanticide? The ultra-violent lyrics speak fro themselves.“I see my target…approach a tender young girl by the name of Brenda and I pretend to befriend her, sit down beside her like a spider, hi there girl you mighta heard of me before, see wh-re you’re the kinda’ girl that I’d a-ssault and rape.”  “Drop kick the b-tch before her second trimester.” Brutalizing women is a constant theme on the album and multiple songs discuss preying on innocent young women. On the track Same Some and Dance, Eminem describes strangling Lindsay Lohan and killing Britney Spears (after they both take prescription drugs). “Slowly she gets in and I begin to lynch her, with 66 inches of extension cord.”
  • Sex:

    Most of the explicit sexual content on the album is focused on humiliating and degrading women -- that is when the songs aren't about raping someone. “My little friend’s waiting to say hello, the way your t—ties are wiggling and your booties shakin’ like Jell-O.”
  • Language:

    Profanity is spattered throughout the song lyrics and used casually throughout the entire album. Besides the four-letter words, the grotesque and sociopathic lyrics are just as inappropriate.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    One of the major themes of the album is drug addiction. Eminen rattles off a litany of prescription drug brands throughout the album, so much so that he nearly covers the entire pharmaceutical department. On the album Eminem recounts his struggles with his recent drug addiction, however there are also times when he makes light of "popping pills" and it's portrayed as a casual and fun activity.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Relapse

Parents need to know that this album glorifyies rape and murder, and many tracks portray Eminem as a serial killer. Eminem also raps about his addiction to prescription drugs, which includes the brand names of pills.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the effect that listening to songs that celebrate raping and murdering women might have on young listeners The songs are fiction, but do you think it's easy to get wrapped up in the message and have trouble separating fantasy from reality?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Relapse?
  •  I think this title is

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See all 25 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title off for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Occasional good messages like "Don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful, but still, Relapse is not kids stuff

    This is a quite offensive CD for Eminem. But it's not all that bad. Relapse is good for teens 14 and up.

  2. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    one of the best rapper in the world

    awsome songs that rule but to inaproapreit

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    one of the best albums of the year

    eminem is back in the most violent and profane album the first song 3:am a dark black comedy serial killer fantasy includes graphic descriptions of drug use then comes the album which includes the jaunty singles my mom we made you crack a bottle and medecine ball along with old time sake's however as fun as those songs are only one of these songs don't feel beneeth him that one is medecine ball a fun twisted the album sucdceds when he plays the joker scene in the dark knight when that's on display the album is just pure poetry.the wordt of these poetic song is same song and dance a disturbing song the best of the songs is beatiful a deep thoughtful look at his life. there are no duds on this album even same song and dance which makes me cringe i listen to it becausethe album throughes a spell over you making album hipnotically listenable overall the album is pure poetry. download this one medcine ball

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Great music

    There is alot of stuff in this album that certently isn't for kids in my opinion. Personally I am 14 and none of the songs on this album bothered me at all, not even Insane. Maybe that's because I've heard all that stuff before. Anyway I'd say just know your kid before buying this album. It uses some strong language and uses some strong sexual language as well. depending on your childs reaction to other stuff, like R rated movies etc. Does he repeat that? As far as stars, I say 5. The music is great. Eminem has always been one of my favorite rappers. This may be his best album yet in my opinion.

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