Eminem is known for his outlandish lyrics.
His wicked sense of humour and candid insights into his turbulent personal life form the basis for the majority of his music, and his surprise new album ‘Music to be Murdered By’ is no different.
But it seems the rapper may have taken it a step too far on the track ‘Unaccommodating’ – where he compares himself to the suicide bomber who murdered 22 people at Manchester Arena after an Ariana Grande concert.
On the opening song on the album, he raps, “I’m contemplating yelling ‘bombs away’ on the game like I’m outside an Ariana Grande concert waiting,” followed by the sound of an explosion.
The release was met by a barrage of online controversy, with fans quickly coining the hashtag #EminemIsOverParty – resulting in him releasing a statement defending the lyrics.
The 47-year-old said the album was “not made for the squeamish” and some lyrics were “designed to shock the conscience, which may cause positive action.”
Referencing some misinterpretation of his bars, he continued, “Murder in this instance isn’t always literal, nor pleasant. These bars are only meant for the sharpest knives in the drawer.
“For the victims of this album, may you rest peacefully. For the rest of you please listen more closely next time.”
Ashley McCauley, who was working as a merchandiser in Manchester Arena on the tragic night of 22nd May 2017, spoke of his interpretation of the lyrics.
“I have listened to the album quite a few times already, and I don’t feel offended by it.
“As a music student, with knowledge of the music industry, I appreciate that some artists shock value comes with the territory – Eminem is known for his controversial lyrics.
“I do appreciate it could be very triggering for people, as it made me think about what happened that night. It can bring back harsh memories for a lot of people.
“But surely this is the reason we have explicit stickers on albums – he is an artist who speaks his mind very clearly and it isn’t for everyone.
“Eminem has slated everyone from Britney Spears to his own mother – which was deemed as degrading – but some people just enjoy his style.
“I think it’s open to interpretation.”
#EminemIsOverParty Don’t forget this too, his music doesn’t show who he is as a person. He’s a human behind a mic. You guys don’t have the largest moral compass either, stop behaving like saints. pic.twitter.com/3lkiml4Jqp
— 43R Hedgehog (@IAmHedgehogzZ) January 17, 2020
Eminem has previously referenced the terror attack in his Kick Off freestyle in 2018, rapping, “Suicide bomber that’s seeing Ariana Grande sing her last song of the evening and as the audience from the damn concert is leaving, detonates the device strapped to his abdominal region – I’m not gonna finish that, for obvious reasons.”
‘Music To Be Murdered By’ is vying for the number one spot in the UK chart this week, against The Courteeners new album entitled ‘More. Again. Forever.’
The Manchester bands frontman Liam Fray told the BBC: “I felt sorry for him,” before suggesting he had “crossed a line” with the song.
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said the lyrics were “unnecessarily hurtful”.
