Eminem has done it again: his new song, “Antichrist,” off his twelfth studio album entitled “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce),” is already making waves in terms of controversy. The perpetual pot stirrer that Eminem is decided to take on pronouns and political correctness this time, which sent the Internet spinning with debate.
Eminem has words for the pronoun community on his new song “Antichrist”
“If I miss pronouns, oops, oh wow, got heterosexuals cramming them down our throats now” PIC.TWITTER.COM/SNNTTXIRZR
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) JULY 12, 2024
“Antichrist” is classic Eminem—bold, unapologetic, and shocking. The track features an appearance from D12 member Bizarre and a full host of the alter ego Slim Shady.
Eminem deals with the questions of pronouns, having said some statements that lots of people find offensive. In his lyrics, Eminem tackles pronouns, making statements that many consider offensive. He raps,
“Pronouns got me like ‘woah’ now / Homie, let’s slow down / No need to get so wound, ready to throw down / If I mispronounce, woops, oh wow/ Got heterosexuals crammin’ ’em down our throats now / Like I’m gettin’ snow-plowed.”
Eminem has always been synonymous with a rigorous, ingenious creative process. Much of what informs his raw, powerful lyrics often emanates from his personal life and slices of the varied societal happenings around him. For “Antichrist,” Eminem spent months trying to perfect the lines that would provoke conversation and challenge norms.The rapper also deploys transphobic imagery and misgendering, largely at Caitlyn Jenner. Eminem refers to her using the name given at birth and derides her transition phase. All this has been immensely criticized. This goes along with Eminem’s history of using shock value and being offensive to piss people off.
In an interview, Eminem explained,
“I was influenced to rap about pronouns by the way things are changing.” “I wanted to talk about what’s happening right now,” he shared. “It’s about pushing boundaries and making people think, even if it makes them uncomfortable.”
Fan reaction to “Antichrist” has been very polarizing. Older Eminem fans love his fearless attitude, even applause-worthy on sensitive matters.Threads on Reddit and Twitter are abuzz with kudos to his lyricism and bravery. A fan said, “Eminem is back, and he’s not holding back. Love him or hate him; he’s got us thinking.”
Eminem’s lyrics have been provocative all along, his stance on LGBTQ+ being particularly so. Although he said he supported transgender rights earlier in tracks such as “Road Rage,” the use of pejoratives and pejorative imagery of “Antichrist” confuses the prestige of accepting transgender people. It is this inconsistency that has bred endless debate over whether Eminem really does care about the LGBTQ+ community or if that is just another means of stirring controversy with his lyrics.
Eminem has a long history of provocative lyrics, as he commonly straddles the fine line between artistic expression and offense. In “Antichrist,” his commenting on pronouns and political correctness really furthers that in a meaningful way that raises some significant questions about the role of artists during those times in society.
His supporters say his music is to provoke and challenge, not to resolve or achieve the criteria of political correctness. Others, for them, Eminem reflects like a mirror on society in its complexities and contradictions. Others feel that this platform comes with responsibility not to continuous harm, especially against already oppressed communities.
Controversy aside, “Antichrist” serves to prove the fact that Eminem’s allegiance never wavered and he did know his way around the changing musical scenery. His ability to tangle himself in controversial topics is just about the only thing these days that manages to keep his music energized and interesting.
For Eminem, “Antichrist” is more than just a song; it’s a statement. “I’m not here to make everybody happy,” he says. “I’m here to tell my truth and keep it real. If that makes people uncomfortable, so be it.” Eminem’s “Antichrist” speaks to a place in the music world that is very special. No one gets under people’s skin, or provokes thought better than he. But wrestling with this latest offering makes it clear: Eminem, whose voice is at times louder than most, pulls us toward uncomfortable truths and raises the begging question of the world around.
