Various Artists – Eminem Presents: The Re-Up
Shady/Interscope (release date: 12/5/2006)
Rap
So, did the “Eminem Era” of rap ever really end?
In just a few months, we’ll have passed the eight-year anniversary of his 1999 debut The Eminem LP. One could make a legitimate case that Em’s first album was one of the most important releases ever. Think about it: It stamped out the last smoldering embers of rap’s “shiny suit” era, while relegating 1998’s Hip Hop king, Master P back into anonymity.
Eminem also brought super-producer Dr. Dre back from the unemployment line and, ultimately became the radio voice and video face of Interscope Records, the most powerful corporate entity in entertainment.
And, everything was just dandy until the release of Eminem’s fourth studio album, Encore. Oh, it sold well and went multi-platinum, but the hardcore rap fans whom Marshall Mathers had once won over, began to turn their backs on Em’s repetitive themes and mediocre self-made beats.
After a couple of years out of the music spotlight, Eminem returns with The Re-Up. Oddly enough, the marketing for this new release has been the misleading tease of “7 New Eminem Tracks!”, when this is actually a compilation album that features just two solo joints from Em.
“Public Enemy #1” is one of these cuts. And, for about the hundredth time since the 8 Mile soundtrack, Em uses his “Lose Yourself” flow (with no Mekhi Phifer) to convey fatalistic paranoia. The only thing more predictable is the “No Apologies” track. Did you know that Eminem couldn’t give a f*ck about the haters? Never heard that angle before, Marshall. Nice of you to bring back your 2000-2002 style on this one, though.
Fortunately, Eminem shares enough mic time across more than 20 tracks and there’s some real goodness here and there. On the title track, 50 Cent and Em display their undeniable chemistry over one of those 1-2-3 (pause) 1-2-3-4 beats that’s generic, but OK if we grade on the curve I call “the Shady scale”. It also includes a passive-aggressive diss at The Game.
“You Don’t Know” has gotten crazy airplay and video time and it’s easy to see why. 50, Eminem and Lloyd Banks aren’t lyrically deep on this one, but there’s an avalanche of energy here that makes it work. Newcomer Cashis is strong here, too and holds his own with some of Hip Hop’s heavyweights.
Speaking of the rookie class, Stat Quo is already a mixtape veteran, but finally gets some Shady Records exposure on the main stage. “By My Side” is built on a nice, non-Eminem beat that’s understated, but effective. His flow lacks ferocity, but it’s good enough for the moment. He’s also on the Dr. Dre-produced “Get Low”, which is an even better listen.
The Alchemist is credited with “compiling” this album and, in true mixtape fashion, there’s a handful of remixes, including new takes on Akon’s annoying “Smack That” single and an unnecessary revisit of Obie Trice’s “Cry Now”. Most egregiously, Eminem ruins 50 Cent’s “Ski Mask Way”, which was one of about two listenable tracks from The Massacre.
Casual fans might not realize that this isn’t your usual shined and polished compilation album. This was originally intended to be a street tape, before Em and Interscope saw it as a means to build towards heavily-hyped 2007 releases of various Shady artists. Several tracks end abruptly, while others are more about putting the new talent on display, rather than giving the listener an extended opportunity to appreciate their sound.
The Re-Up is inconsistent and uneven, but effective for what it is. The “Eminem” brand name still carries enough weight to get fans to cop this album, while Shady Records lays the groundwork for a new era.
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