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Relapse (by Eminem, Rap)

common sense media says

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


parents & educators say
  • 38% say there are positive messages

What parents need to know

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.

Positive 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 applicable.
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.

More on Relapse

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

What's the story?
It's been several years since the world was exposed to Slim Shady's brand of warped rap. RELAPSE is a voluminous 20-track release that sees Eminem back on the music scene after recovering from an addiction to prescription drugs. The theme of addiction is at the center of this CD, but the usual Eminem themes of violence against women and shock-value lyrics play a big role.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Revolting, nauseating, even repulsive: just a few of the emotions that come up after listening to this CD. But that's exactly the reaction the rapper wants to elicit. The line, "How can he say that?" actually appears on one track. But the deplorable, misogynistic rhymes aren't the worst part of the album. Eminem's self-absorbed rehashing and bashing of staid topics make this album seem less than original. His usually inspired social commentary isn't timely or relevant here, and at a certain point his sociopathic self-aggrandizing becomes monotonous. The few glimmers of hope can be found on a few tracks like "Déjà vu" and "Beautiful," where the artist speaks chillingly and realistically about the continued battle against his addiction.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: May 19, 2009
Label: Shady Records
Genre: Rap
Parental advisory: Yes
Edited version available: Yes

This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13
Based on 13 parent & educator reviews:
  • 38% say there are positive messages

Most useful reviews by all members

mcmovie123
teen, 16 years old
 
liked it
Look i know his music swares and has sex in it and violence i think alot of people dont know what eminem has been through.

dottie58
teen, 17 years old
 

Jitty
adult
 
This is a great album if you like horrorcore.
I'm glad in your little review your ignorant idiots here at "Commonsense" missed out on songs such as, "My Mom" and "Beautiful". All songs that are deeper then they sound. "My Mom" covers his drug addiction and explains where he got it from. "Beautiful" is just about staying true to yourself and not worrying about what anyone else thinks. This entire album was meant to be Eminem going back to his roots. In Detroit, no matter who you are, the way you come up is through the Underground. Whether you're Eminem, Kid Rock, D-12, King Gordy, Goon Sqwad, Trick Trick, Royce Da 5'9" or Obie Trice you performed what is called Horrorcore Rap or Acid Rap (both are the same thing) which was popularized by The Insane Clown Posse, Twiztid and Esham. So essentially that's what this is, is a Horrorcore Rap album.

 
Need To Be Mature About It
Uhh I Say That Subject Matter Is A Problem But One Song Called "Beautiful" HasA Good Message Beneath It And If Kids Are Mature About It So Does "Deja Vu" 14+

Aaron J
teen, 14 years old
 
17+ is overated, 13 minimum
thats total junk, im 11 and so does all my friends and even my teacher luts us listen to him. i know im a bit young but it should be like 13+. and him talking about this is his life, hes telling people what hes been through so really education how they should not take drugs, 'cause they'll end up like him. i know its got negative sexual content, but dont be worried, your kids would really only be listening to it if there a tween and by then youd ready be in sex ed'. and if your worried about language, DON'T. kids always swear behind thier parent's back. so this albums a bit different but hes a legend.

itsallgood
teen, 16 years old
 
Great artist, bad album.
I am a HUGE eminem fan, but I must say, this one was just disturbing. I never knew an eminem like this, this album is loaded with nothing but talk of drugs, rape, and murder. I do like 3 a.m, and Bagpipes from Bagdhad 'examples of disturbing songs I like' but others like Stay Wide Awake, and Same Song and Dance were just plain gross. My favorite "disturbing" track from the album is "Underground", and my favorite track overall is "Beautiful". But in complete, this one was way to disturbing for my taste, I like hardcore, not this hardcore though.

maggiesayheytoday
kid, 13 years old
 
BEST ever.
ARE YOU JOKING? You absoloutely CANNOT keep your children away from these things. Eminem is GREAT. Don't like him? YOUR FAULT.

twinkers321
teen, 14 years old
 
REPULSIVE!!!
Uggghh......... I am one of those tween girls that DO NOT like a lot of rap under any circumstances. I don't think anybody under the age of 17 should listen to this. It shouldn't be legal to sell an album that describes you raping a woman............ it's repulsive! And talking about drugs, my goodness! smoking and alchoholism isn't really a problem with me though, kids know not to use it. But drugs, a little over the top.

teamjacob13
teen, 15 years old
 
perfect for kids 12 and up
of course eminem has lots of songs whit bad languge but he oalso sings songs for his lil girls....anyways kids 12 and up could listen 2 hos songs cause i think younger kids will imatate the words and his videos! {and well if u dont like ma opinion i dont care}

 
Love it
Eminem came back with some good new stuff. I've always looked up to eminem cause he gave me more inspiration to work harder when i'm making my music. Dr Dre came hard with beats and I think almost everybody should here this music because it was just a well put together album. It's not his best work but I still think it's great.

rapcomedy
teen, 14 years old
 
...
This besides the Marshall matthers Lp is his most innapropriate works it is not glorifying but saying stuff about murder rape pills anything wrong

Sanjay407
kid, 13 years old
 
Not good

dicapriofreak94
teen, 15 years old
 
Eminem is amazing. I like almost all of his music, I was beyond ecstatic when he came out with this album. I have to admit I was a little surprised at how explicit some of the voilence and everything was, but it's nothing that a mature teen/adult can't handle. Lots of explicit violent content, language and some sexual content. The thing I love with Eminem is that all of his songs have this catchy tune to them, and you'll always find yourself humming one of his songs even when you haven't listened to his songs for a while! Great album. I love you Eminem!

RayTheBigBro
kid, 12 years old
 
Not for kids!
Eminem's controversial music is not for kids. Violent, sexual, insulting, and rude are the words to describe his music. He is a terrible role model. (you don't want your kids dissing everyone, do you?) Eminem is known for his bad behavior, so don't let your kids listen. Yes, he might be a talented rapper with great beats, but he is a little potty mouth. Kids shouldn't listen to this album.

weezzy123
teen, 16 years old
 
probally eminem's worst album

EpicPerson1990
kid, 12 years old
 
Personally, Eminem is the BEST rapper, In my opinion at least. Now, You cant shelter your kids from this kind of stuff forever, A mature kid should be able to handle it. But if your not so sure your kid isn't mature enough, Dont let them listing to it yet. But eminem is a great rapper, Who raps about life. (Slim shady is Eminem, But come on! We all know that "Slim Shady" Is just playing around. Anyways, Its your kid, And its your choice.

sweetjynx97
teen, 14 years old
 
Good For Mature Audiences Only
ye this is eminem it does have scenes about rape, and from the name of he album being relase its going to have some drug abuse, definately not the first album to start with if your just starting to listen to him. there are the really good songs like beautiful and deja vu but being eminem there will be some bad songs like insane.

HALOHALOHALO
kid, 11 years old
 
SLIM SHADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

a Kool Kid
teen, 16 years old
 
15+
BAD.... Enough Said. The Only Good Songs on the album are Beautiful, and Insane(Which i DO NOT recommend for kids)

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