Eminem has made a triumphant return with his new single “Houdini,” which teases the concept of making his “career disappear” ahead of his forthcoming album, The Death of Slim Shady. Fans have enthusiastically declared that “real rap is back.”
The track begins with one of his most iconic lines: “Guess who’s back, back again? Shady’s back, tell a friend. Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back? (Haha) Da-da-da, da, da, da, da, da, da. Da-da-da, da, da, da, da.”
In “Houdini,” Eminem humorously attempts to retire his alter ego Slim Shady while taking jabs at everyone who helped him rise to fame. This includes Dr. Dre, Jimmy Iovine, and even his own children, who appear in the music video.
Eminem shares three children with his ex-wife, Kim Scott: Hailie Jade Scott, Alaina Scott, and Stevie Laine Scott. He raps, “But you can all suck my d**k, in fact / F**k them, f**k Dre, f**k Jimmy, f**k me, f**k you / F**k my own kids, they’re brats (F**k ’em) / They can screw off (Yeah), them and you all (Uh).”
He continues, “You too, Paul (Punk), got two b*lls / Big as RuPaul’s (Woah). What you thought you saw ain’t what you saw (Nah) / ‘Cause you’re never gon’ see me. Caught sleepin’ and see the kidnappin’ never did happen. Like Sherri Papini, Harry Houdini. I vanish into the thin air as I’m leavin’ like. Abra-abracadabra (And for my last trick). I’m ’bout to reach in my bag, bruh (Like) Abra-abracadabra (And for my last trick, poof). Just like that and I’m back, bro.”
The video features appearances from 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, and Pete Davidson. Fans have been ecstatic, with one commenting, “Omg the blonde Slim brings back so many memories.” Another added, “Never thought I’d see Em & Dre in a Lambo again lmao, the nostalgia.” A third noted, “Eminem’s wordplay is on another level in ‘Houdini’!”
This release follows the recent wedding of Eminem’s daughter, Hailie Jade, 28, to her partner Evan McClintock. Eminem, 51, attended the nuptials in a tuxedo, dark glasses, and Nike Air Jordans.
