Who knew?

Who knew ?

« Have you ever been hated or discriminated against ?
I have, I’ve been protested and demonstrated against, picket signs for my wicked rhymes… », Eminem claims in « Cleaning Out My Closet » from the Eminem Show.
Is Eminem conscious of the impact his words can have on people ? In his song « Who knew ? » from the Marshall Mathers LP, he says :

« Wasn’t me, Slim Shady said to do it again!”
Damn! How much damage can you do with a pen? »

Eminem makes fun of people who constantly target him for being a bad influence on kids. The kid does something forbidden or wrong and then it’s Slim Shady’s fault. An easy way to get out of uncomfortable situations !
But the gifted word technician Eminem is also conscious of the damage he cause with words. So why does he want to cause those damages with his pen ? What is his hidden intention ?
No contest, the character of Slim Shady is insane, but Marshall Mathers appears to be a very clever man, who enjoys playing with people’s mind very much. Shocking words are put in his lyrics on purpose to anticipate people’s reaction. His sense of exaggeration makes the sentences unbelievable.
The category of sensitive persons with a weak stomach (who take this seriously) target Eminem as a dangerous person. In fact, he is only a danger to those who are totally deprived of a sense of humor.
Somebody told me once, in reply to one of my topics on Eminem , that Eminem was a simple minded person and not even a good « singer ». First of all, I’d rather call him a rapper, because he raps more than he sings. Second, I think Eminem is far from being stupid and that he particularly targets those kind of listeners who constantly take his words at first degree.

Of course, the misinterpretation of Eminem’s lyrics have lead to some dramas. Some fragile teenagers like Kaleigh Davis have committed suicide, but I am not even sure Eminem was the real cause of the 13 years old girl. Eminem has been accused of being responsible for her death. It has been proven that the young girl was depressive and that she used to be bullied at school. She was found dead in her bedroom. The fact that she was very much into Eminem doesn’t prove anything, she was psychologically vulnerable. I’m not the only one to think that way. Even the judge stated so.

Even if he appears to be joking most of the time, he also raises serious questions in the « Who Knew » song :

« So who’s bringin the guns in this country? (Hmm?)
I couldn’t sneak a plastic pellet gun through customs over in London
And last week, I seen a Schwarzaneggar movie
where he’s shootin all sorts of these motherfuckers with a uzi
I sees three little kids, up in the front row,
screamin “Go,” with their 17-year-old Uncle
I’m like, “Guidance – ain’t they got the same moms and dads
who got mad when I asked if they liked violence?”

Many people are not even shocked by violent movies where people get shot at, but they get mad at Marshall’s lyrics. Slim Shady is an actor, though. He is just acting on stage. Hating the player is useless, he is doing his job as an entertainer.
Eminem also raises the problem of illegal gun traffics. You can find real arms everywhere, but it is forbidden to travel with a plastic pellet gun… That’s kind of ridiculous.

Some parts of « Who knew » are hilarous.

« You want me to fix up lyrics while the President gets his dick sucked?
[*ewwww*] Fuck that, take drugs, rape sluts
Make fun of gay clubs, men who wear make-up
Get aware, wake up, get a sense of humor
Quit tryin to censor music, this is for your kid’s amusement
(The kids!) But don’t blame me when lil’ Eric jumps off of the terrace
You shoulda been watchin him – apparently you ain’t parents… »

Eminem makes fun of former US President Bill Clinton’s sex affair and goes on advicing people to take drugs and to rape sluts etc… This could be shocking if he didn’t add : get a sense of humor, which means : « don’t take my advices seriously, i’m just kidding… »
There is no reason to get mad at Slim Shady, he’s just making fun and he’s supposed to make you laugh crazy…

Eminem also takes parents back to their responsibilities. It’s the parents’ role to take care of their children. He cannot be held responsible for a kid’s suicide.
He never told kids to act irresponsibly and if they misinterpreted his words, please don’t get mad at him. You’re supposed to get his sense of humor, because the constant exaggeration mixed with funny sentences or words make it obvious.
I think parents shouldn’t reject the music their kids are listening to. If they focused an interest on it, it would certainly help to avoid a lot of misunderstandings. They could also play a great part in helping their kids not to misinterpret an artist’s word.
If they were closer to their children, most of them wouldn’t feel like committing suicide.

Eminem wants people to analyse him intelligently. Not to overanalyze him. Just being fair enough to understand his sense of humor.
If you misinterpret his words and act crazy in real life, how the fuck was he supposed to know ?