Eminem's new Shady/Aftermath compilation Eminem Presents the Re-Up is the latest hip-hop release to make an early "debut" on the net, which means that I've been spending the past few hours weeding out the crap from the quality. Considering we've got 22 tracks and that they run the gamut from recycled beats to relative genius, it took some work.
There are several quality songs on the album, most notably all of the stuff that Stat Quo is featured on (especially "Get Low" and "Tryin to Win"). Obviously, this is a good sign for the Aftermath's Atlanta rep and should serve to raise expectations for the long-awaited Statlanta. Another general observation is that most of the stuff I really liked on this release came from all the producers other than Eminem.
Other than the remix to "Ski Mask Way" (which actually improves upon the overlooked Disco D original from The Massacre), Eminem doesn't really produce any true gems here, with the stellar cuts come courtesy of Alchemist, Dre, and Witt and Pep. Which sort of confirms my suspicion that Eminem isn't all that great of a producer and that he's been recycling his best song—Jay-Z's "Moment of Clarity"—for the past three years. But whatever.
One of the Dre tracks on the album is the title track, which isn't great as much as it is important. Why? Because <i>The Re-Up</i> announces the return of the Old 50 Cent. You know, the pre-Candy Shop 50, the "I'm not a marksman while sparkin' so I spray random" 50. There's no way to know whether this version is here to say or whether he will return to his quest of becoming the biggest R&B star on the planet, but I did an auditory double take the first time I heard this song.
The whole thing start off in rather innocuous fashion. A pretty mellow beat box kicks off the track before a throbbing base and typical Dre synth merge with a rather strange "boom, boom, cha" chant. The whole effect gives some sense of atmosphere and we are clued in that this is to be a "hard" track, especially when Eminem tries to launch into that aggressive style that used to be his whole persona but now feels like a role he's playing. He has a few typical Eminem rapid-fire rhymes that are on par with his verse from Obie Trice's "We All Die Someday" (probably his last great guest appearance), but certainly doesn't blow the lid off it.
Article comments
1 - dopeboy-O
shout to all my shady/aftermath we getting money R.I.P proof GGG-UNIT
2 - sarah biggest eminem fan eva xxxxxx
eminem is so sexy im gonna ave im 1day he is gorgous
3 - Fil
Why do all c**** these days feel like they have to bash Eminem? They think they're so good just for doing that. Incredible how many people envy him and the position he is in.
Whoever bashes Eminem knows absolutely nothing about music.
And some even consider themsleves "music reviewers" hahahahahahahahahaha
4 - Maria montano
hell yeah em's the shit and if you don't like that then fuck you. well point the finger at you and it's not the thumb pinkie the ring or index it's the one you put up when you don't fuck
and thats old school bitchs hahhahah
5 - Matty Read
WTF is this guy goin on about, eminem is a ledge and always has been. im sure it will be some of the shite he has ever written
6 - kyla
EMiNEMS THE BEST AND iM HiS NUMBER 1 FAN -- THE RE-UPSS THE SHiT =) I CANT WAiT FOR HiS SOLO CD !! LOVE HIM <3
7 - elliot
the reups eminems come back yea i said it hes on top top yall bitch niggaz from the south better step your game up
8 - Justin
Eminem is the greatest Rapper there is, he is sick. The Re-Up will kick ass all the artist that are on it are good. Proof is one of the greatest rappers D- 12 its a shame what happen, R.I.P Big Proof
9 - Mystro
Emimem is arguably the best rapper ever. Well, If Jay Z, Nas, Game, Redman, Method Man, Cassidy, Canibus, Busta Rhymes, Andre 3000, Kurupt, Obie Trice, Swifty, Rakim, Melle Mel, Crooked I, die along with Proof, 2Pac, Big Pun, and others. He can be a favorite but if they REALLY know about "music" as someone said, they would know this.
10 - darah lilbuck
50 cent u and d12 are best since hip hop began fuck gamye
11 - Cree
I luv Eminem's song's so dam much Jimmy Crack Corn is the best !!!!1
12 - shayra
Ya Fuck u if u think Cree is rong !!!!
I dont even know her !
LOL
Lov ya Slim
13 - MARSHALL MATHERS
I WANNA FUCK ALL THOSE WHO BASHES EMINEM
14 - rosie gangsta babi
i fink that eminem is da shit , even tho all the motha fukas mess im bout , i fink hes 1 of dres and 50s bestest
15 - rosie gangsta babi
shout out to all mi m8s at skool motha fuking big dogs ABI LIN N KEZZ XXXX LUV YA EM
16 - ali
some new song appeared yester week on MTV of 50cent n D12 do any one have info about that one. Its video was shot in a prison if any one know about this song please tell me kindly
17 - mike hamilton
ems the greatest cant wait till solo 1