A couple of days ago I was in the car and did something I rarely do anymore - flip through the radio dial just to see what was on - and as I hit a Top 40 station the DJ announced the new Eminem, so I stuck around to hear dat shit.
"Just Lose It" is generic Eminem all the way, which isn't bad - it's catchy as hell - but isn't any kind of move forward either (other than the serviceable warbling Em busts out by way of a bridge) Recapitulating his whole "I'm back" thang, it's a light, quick rap of the "Real Slim Shady" school, and I'm sure it will do just fine for itself.
Far more amusing and, naturally, controversial, is the video to the tune (watch it here, from MTV) - with cameos by Paris Hilton, Dr. Dre, and Erik Estrada - wherein Marshall impersonates and pokes fun at MC Hammer, Madonna, Pee Wee Herman, and most cuttingly, Michael Jackson. It's funny, though the target is rather obvious. Michael - humorless bastard that he is - is not amused:
- Michael Jackson has asked TV stations to stop playing Eminem's new video, which ridicules the pop legend, saying it is "outrageous and disrespectful".
Eminem dresses as Jackson for the Just Lose It video, and is shown on a bed with young boys. His nose also falls off and his hair catches fire.
"It is one thing to spoof but it is another to be demeaning and insensitive," Jackson said.
US cable's Black Entertainment TV is the only channel to ban it so far.
The song and video make references to Jackson's looming trial on 10 child abuse charges, which he denies.
...."I am very angry at Eminem's depiction of me in his video," Jackson told Los Angeles radio host Steve Harvey, according to a transcript from the singer's publicist.
Article comments
1 - Pappy
I can't believe BET would so racist as to honor Michael's request.
Apparently, it's okay for black rappers to make fun of white people and have their video's played on BET.
But when a white guy wants to poke fun at a black guy, BET pulls the plug.
BET must be the laughing stock of the cable world.
2 - Pappy
"Black Entertainment Television (BET) president Robert Johnson said he felt it was inappropriate to disparage a celebrity. "
This statement is ALSO a joke. Eminem's past videos have disparaged many celebrities, like Christina Aguilera, Fred Durst, Moby, etc. etc.
Oh I see, Johnson doesn't care because those are white people, right? He only cares when a Eminem makes fun of someone who is/was black.
BET is perhaps the most pathetic cable network in the history of American Cable Television.
3 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
regardless of the hoopla, i was just stunned by how crushingly pish the single was. Utterly gut-crushing toss. Useless generic tripe. God almighty. I had hoped The Eminem Show (barring the wonderful White America) had just been a self-indulgent blip. Difficult third album and all that. (although technically it's fourth) This is the biggest dissapointment i've had in, like, a week or some shit.
That album had better be good, man.
4 - Big Time Patriot
They still SHOW music videos on MTV? Never seem to be any when I'm flipping through the channels..
5 - Eric Olsen
Duke, you wre a bit more adamant about it than I, but nothing groundbreaking in the tune, that's for sure.
Pappy, I agree it's all twisted around and BET isjust kissing ass for the sake of the, as Michael put it, "community."
6 - visualsimplicity
Granted being in the public eye is very different but isn't saying:
if you are as famous, rich and flat-out fucking weird as Michael Jackson, you are fair game for parody, mockery and satire - what do you expect?
Much like saying that if you're ugly or fat, you should be open to mockery, cause you know, what do you expect? Just grow a thicker skin.
MJ is a weirdo and supposedly can't take a joke. Him being in the public eye means he's open to satire, but the weirdo argument doesn't gel I think.
7 - Eric Olsen
my point is that ALL public figures are fair game, and if you are as wildly famous AND wildly strange as Michael Jackson, you WILL be lampooned inevitably
8 - Mac Diva
BET's management chose to pull the video. Fine. That is as much their right as showing it is. I don't see anything to complain about in this episode. It is BET management's prerogative to decide its programming.
But, I do see something to complain about in regard to the complainers. They are the ones injecting race into the situation. BET said it withdrew the video out of sensitivity to the artist. It could be sensitive to any artist in dire straits who asked for consideration.
Eric, you might want to look at Pappy's previous comments before warming yourself with his approval. He (someone using a second screen name, one suspects) has a record of making racism tinged remarks. His last crusade was against black singers on American Idol.
9 - Ernie
"I've admired Eminem as an artist, and was shocked by this."
He was a cool guy when he was making fun of others. Now that it's you under fire you start whinning. Shame on you and your double standards Micheal.
10 - Eric Olsen
in the Geraldo interview airing tonight he says real artists don't make fun of other artists - who says?
11 - kamaljit
hey so cool and I love him he a cool singer and he hottie too fucken hot
12 - Cindy C
First off, BET can do whatever the hell they want to do. It's their station and they have the right to pull a video.
Second, the song is horrible. It sounds like the same shit Eminem puts out EVERY SINGLE TIME. Can we get something new please?! Even if Mike didn't want this pulled, I sure as hell would because it is not MUSIC. It's generic garbage.
And lastly, can we just get back to making music for the sake of music? Eminems whole career breeds on parodying everyone else. I state the truth when I say that none of his music will last through generations to come- where as Mike's will, despite his personal behavior.
P.S. And all jokes aside about Mike's skin, Eminem strives to reach a black audience by assimilating to black customs. So if we want to point out the real "poser" in the situation, I bet it would be an easy find.