Eminem goes Kamikaze on the rap game!!!

Eminem or should I say, Shady is back with a surprise album, that he dropped this past Friday called, "Kamikaze", which is his 10th album. Guests appearances on the album are Joyner Lucas, Jessie Reyez and Royce Da 5'9", (who I think has the best album of 2018, with "Book of Ryan"). On Kamikaze, Eminem goes apes**t at all the new modern non-talent rappers and the people who criticized his previous album, "Revival", which I think wasn't good either. Now before I start this review, I just want to write this about Eminem; I am not a "Stan" of Eminem and he is not in my top 5 either, but he does have my ultimate respect, because compared to the new generation of rappers, Em has always payed homage, respected and shotout the MC's and rappers that came before him and influenced him.

Kamikaze starts off with the song, "The Ringer". The instrumental of the song is just banging, and Em's flow and lyrical delivery is insane. On this song, Eminem is aiming at all the mumble rappers and the negative critics on "Revival", like Charlemagne Tha God. He's expressing himself by saying that the mumble rappers have horrible flows, they have no content in their songs and that they're all mini Lil' Waynes with dreads, stupids tattoos on their faces and all have the acronym "Lil" in front of their names. On the second song, "The Greatest", Eminem continues his attacks on the new generation and addresses the ghostwriting subject, where he thinks that most people don't care who write or doesn't write their own lyrics, which destroys a part of the hip-hop culture. Eminem feels no matter what people say, he's the greatest on the MIC, which is the same feeling he had when he did "Rap God" on the "MMLP 2." He gives rappers like the rap group Die Antwoord and a rapper named Token, a reminder that he can go back on that Ja Rule mentality, (when Ja and The Murder Inc squad went at, Dr. Dre and Em for signing 50 Cent, and Eminem lost his s**t when Ja Rule mentioned Hailie's name), so I think before mentioning and criticizing Eminem, be careful or The Aftermath/Shady/G-Unit army can come after you. The two first songs so far gave me "The Eminem Show" vibe, which is my favorite album from Eminem. The following track is "Lucky You" featuring Joyner Lucas. The instrumental has a nice bass on it and I love how both rappers had their own type of instrumental that fits them. The instrumental changes with a piano when Eminem starts rapping. I felt that Joyner Lucas did a good job on his part, but Eminem made him look like an opening act at a concert before the main event of the show. Eminem still goes at the mumble rappers and the trap muzik era, and he's stating that he doesn't hate that but it's not for him and he doesn't want that to be the face of hip-hop. He also stated that the new rappers like Lil' Xan and Lil' Pump should pay some respect, learn and know who came before them and created this craft and stage they're standing on; he pays homage to Andre 3000, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap and Masta Ace, and Eminem stated that he doesn't respect rappers who says Tupac is boring which it can make the younger fans saying the same thing. After that, we have the infamous "Paul" skit that we are familiar with from some of Eminem's previous albums.

The fifth song is called "Normal" where Eminem talks about relationships, the beat is ok, just a filler. "Stepping Stone" is a deep song. This is where Eminem opens up about his relationship, the rising and downfall of D12. I love this song, because it shows how friendship can be tough, and I was always wondering what was going on with D12. I like how Eminem is honest and open on this song, and he knows that each members of the group will always be his homeboys but D12 is over, (R.I.P. DeShaun Dupree Holton aka Proof). Eminem is back at taking shots again, this time with Royce Da 5'9" on the song, "Not Alike". On this track Eminem imitates on the hook, the Migos flow, (a group I hate with a passion), where Eminem is saying nonsense, (purposely done). I don't care for the instrumental which is pretty catchy, but both rappers were making a point by rapping on a trap type beat. Eminem is taking shot at MGK, for saying that Eminem is not a Rap God and mentioning Hailie's name, (another guy who did not learn from Ja Rule's mistakes). Em also pays homage to Mobb Deep's late member, Prodigy. "Kamikaze" has the "Slim Shady" funny and stupid type of instrumental and it also gave me the feeling, that I was listening to his "Encore" album. "Fall" is the last song of the album where Eminem take shots at everyone. On this slow type of beat, Eminem again addresses Charlemagne Tha God, Joe Budden and DJ Akademics for stating their opinion on Revival being trash. On the first verse, he claims that he doesn't understanding how the new rappers don't like and mock him and Jay-Z for doing albums, crafting their own style and being original since the beginning of their career, but yet sounds like and copies the styles of Drake and Migos. He also sends shot at Tyler the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt for disrespecting Revival. Eminem again addresses the subject of ghostwriting and he responded to Lord Jamar who said that Eminem is a guest in hip-hop because he's white and hip-hop belongs to the black culture. Eminem responded by saying how is he a guest while he inspired the likes of Logic, Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, J. Cole, Hopsin and Royce Da 5'9", and oh yeah gived the world 50 Cent, so maybe without Em, there would be no Power; sorry Lord Jamar, you played yourself.

Approaching the end of the album, we got filler songs, "Nice Guy", which I think wasn't necessary on the album, and "Good Guy", which had an ok instrumental; both songs were featuring Jessie Reyez. Eminem finishes the album with the theme song "Venom" for the upcoming Marvel movie "Venom". On this song I like how Eminem fits the characteristics of Venom to himself in the song, (It might be hard to understand for those who don't know Venom is).

I can honestly say, I'm happy someone like Eminem was honest about the current state of hip-hop, and I hope his "Kamikaze" attempt wakes up the rap and hip-hop industry and erase the likes of Tekashi 69, Lil Pump, Lil' Xan, Migos, Future etc, out of of hip-hop and put them in a separate category. As for Eminem going at the people criticizing his previous album, I understand where he's coming from and that he wants to protect his artwork, but just like Charlemagne said, some of us weren't feeling Revival, but the real ones know that Eminem is one the GOATs. Eminem lyrical contents had me thinking, did Eminem read the whole freaking dictionary before working on this album.

Grade: 4/5

Favorite song: Undecided between The Ringer and Stepping Stone

Least favorite song: Nice Guy