The death of Slim Shady: Eminem’s iconic alter ego reaches its finale

The artist recently ran a fake obituary for his alter ego in a newspaper before his upcoming album release.

A Fake Obituary and a New Album

There will never be another Slim Shady. Recently, a fake obituary for Eminem‘s longtime alter ego appeared in the Detroit Free Press, declaring him “dead” as the rapper prepares to release his 12th studio album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), this summer. 

Eminem, now 51, introduced Slim Shady to the world in 1997, followed by the groundbreaking album The Slim Shady LP on February 23, 1999. This album truly catapulted him into the spotlight, earning him his first two of 15 Grammys to date, thanks to the hit single “My Name Is.”

Controversy and Fame

At the time of The Slim Shady LP’s release, listeners had varied reactions. Publications like PEOPLE and Teen PEOPLE ran numerous stories on the star, whose real name is Marshall Mathers. 

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Neighbors praised him for his community involvement but warned that his music was “not for the faint of heart.” 

In the summer of 2000, Teen PEOPLE even named him their pick for “Sexiest Rapper.”

Despite his rise to fame, Eminem faced backlash for his controversial lyrics, which targeted the gay community and fellow musicians, including Christina Aguilera. His growing popularity also brought legal troubles. Nevertheless, The Slim Shady LP peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard charts and solidified Eminem’s stardom.

Understanding Slim Shady

“The kids listening to my music get the joke,” Eminem told Rolling Stone in 2000. “They can tell when I’m serious and when I’m not. 

They can tell the entertainment of it.” This blend of seriousness and satire was a hallmark of the Slim Shady persona, captivating audiences and critics alike.

A Legendary Performance

One of the most memorable moments of Eminem’s career came at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards at New York City’s Radio Music Hall. 

Fresh off the release of The Marshall Mathers LP, Eminem opened the show with a herd of look-alikes, all bobbing along to his latest single, “The Real Slim Shady.” This performance solidified his status as a pop culture icon and showcased the impact of his alter ego.

As Eminem prepares to release The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), fans reflect on the legacy of an alter ego that has left an indelible mark on the music industry. While Slim Shady may be “dead,” his influence and the entertainment he provided will live on.