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Sounding Off: 'Eminem Presents: The Re-Up' |
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Wednesday, 10 January 2007 |
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 Whether it is for the best or not, Eminem angrily barks his triumphant
return to the hip-hop on the December release “Eminem Presents: The
Re-Up.”
Eminem’s last album, “Curtain Call” (2005), a greatest
hits release that never really left the Billboard top 400, seemed to
mark the end of the hip-hop giant’s career as the controversial,
multi-syllable-spewing rapper Slim Shady.
The release of the “Re-Up,” however, brings about the closest thing fans will get to a return of Marshall Mathers for now.
From
the opening tracks like “We’re Back”, Eminem comes out spitting hot
fire like: “All I hear is I’m the best at this and I’m best at that/
but I don’t hear my name, no? Brought up in rap/ And I don’t usually
trip or damn get caught up in that/ but when they say one of the best,
I’m nowhere thought up as that.”
Less controversial than
previous songs released by the rapper, his sound has shifted to a more
organic street vibe, as if he is still searching for true street cred
among his rap contemporaries. On the tracks like “Public Enemy #1” and
“No Apologies,” his delivery and beats are as strong as ever. Even
though the delivery is much darker, his syncopated rhymes still have
ton of hooks throughout.
This mix-tape, hip-hop-style album
really only features a sprinkling of Eminem’s latest work. The “Re-Up”
is really a launching point for his enterprising new crew, which will
appear on Shady records. Bobby Creekwater and Cashis are two young
rappers from Atlanta and the West Coast (respectively) who are joining
the rap mainstream.
Featured on remixes and solo tracks,
Creekwater and Cashis are given a chance to shine among rappers like 50
Cent, Obie Trice, and members of D-12. Despite the company they hold,
there is nothing too amazing about these rappers. It sounds like more
of the same coming out of mainstream rap, which means there is more rap
about drug deals and being a high-roller playa.
Creekwater’s
track “There He Is” is one of the few breakouts on the album. A strong
70’s bass groove, opening the track, sets the tone for the rest of the
song. The beats reflect his smooth groove, but there are really no big
hooks that mainstream rap seems to call for.
The album also
features new works from 50 Cent, Obie Trice, Stat Quo and the
post-humous release from Proof of D-12, but some of the most impervious
work comes from The Alchemist, who finally collaborated with Eminem in
the studio on this album.
The Alchemist was the live DJ for Em
on the Anger Management tour, and produced many of the beats featured
on the “Re-Up.” Taking a true mix tape approach, many of the tracks
have solid beats, but are not over-produced. His raw and sinister
energy flows from every track, but overall the album falls short by not
incorporating funny skeptics between tracks like a true street
compilation would have.
As a whole, “Eminem Presents: The
Re-Up” will deliver a grittier version of hip-hop fan favorites and
fresh look at some up-and-coming rappers but has nothing that will
really wow anyone.
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