Explanation of Encore

[Tash8]

now don't be so mad about this post, cuz all this is, is an interesting read.. I dunno if i believe it or not but it is interesting..

I also don't need another explanation for why encore sucked and some people's stupid rants about it, but this one is actually logical and uses some evidence, not like the other topics this is different, worth a read for eminem fans...

a post from rapbasement from 2 years ago that someone just dug up, it's about how Bob Dylan was soo big at one point that he started making bad to take himself out of the spotlight:

Marshall Arts:

I've been reading Bob Dylan's book "Chronicles: Vol. 1", and in it Dylan talks about how he became too big at one point, and people expected way too much from him. They called him "Messiah" and "Savior" and titles like that, and he didn't want to be the Messiah. He just wanted to live. So he deliberately made bad songs, and started changing his image so he could fall out of the spot light a bit.

Well, I think this is exactly what Eminem is doing right now. In "Evil Deeds" he talks about how he just wants to be able to go to the mall with his daughter and not be mobbed by a crowd of people, and that he wishes there was a switch he "could just turn off and on." And songs like Just Lose it, Ass Like That, and My Balls I think are a way for Eminem to kind of "fall off" from all his fame. In a way, it's temporary career suicide (hence the suicide note on the bonus disc, and the end of the album where he kills himself...metaphorically, of course).

Fortunately, Bob Dylan is still revered as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, and people only remember his great songs (and there are plenty). You will all see. Eminem is doing the samething, and Encore is just a transitional album in what will prove to be a multi-decade spanning career.

Also, there is a part towards the end of the book in which Dylan talks about how when he first heard N.W.A. and Public Enemy, and Run-DMC, he knew that someone would emerge from hip hop that would take over where he left off. Here is the exerpt:

"Somebody different was bound to come along sooner or later who would know [the hip hop] world, been born and raised with it...be all of it and more. Someone with a chopped topped head and a power in the community. He'd be able to balance himself on one leg on a tightrope that stretched across the universe and you'd know him when he came--there'd be only one like him. The audience would go that way and I couldn't blame them.[...] With Ice-T and Public Enemy, who were laying the tracks, a new performer was bound to appear, and one unlike Presley. He wouldn't bbe swinging his hips and staring at the lassies. He'd be doing it with hard words and he'd be working eighteen hours a day." - Bob Dylan

I think he's definitely talking about Eminem. What do you all think??

Rufus:
I had a similar theory, after telling it to a few people I just gave up, partly because nobody was interested, and also because they probably thought I was retarded to think that. I'm quite glad people share my opinion with the emergence of this thread I can voice my opinion (metaphorically speaking).

After hearing SSLP and MMLP I was quite disappointed at TES. I thought it was no where near his potential, with a lot of the subject matter tiresome to listen to. There are of course stand out tracks, but on the whole TES did not reach the same level as SSLP and most certainly not MMLP. When Encore hit, it almost gave me a fucking heart attack. I hadn't heard such shit like that in a while and I was very shocked. I couldn't believe Em gave us such dribble, and naturally I started to think about why. After painstakingly listening to Encore on numerous occasions, I developed a theory. At first I thought this theory was bullshit as I made it at a time when I couldn't believe Eminem had actually "fallen off" and was just trying to make up any old shit. However, when I thought about it more, it made sense.

Eminem was getting frustrated at the fact that he could no longer lead the life he wanted due to his fame. People (fans) were always coming up to him demanding things, and it interfered with his personal life. At a time when he was supposed to be enjoying life with his daughter, he was instead getting hassled by fans "all I wanna do is go to the mall and take Halie on the carousel Without this crowd everywhere I go" It's obvious he doesn't like the fame he is getting."This ain't how fame was suppose to be Where's the switch I can just turn off-and-on". He probably even contemplated quitting, but I mean would you give up something you love? "I don't wanna quit But shit, I feel like this is it For me to have this much i feel like this is it This is not a game this fame the real life is as sick" The fact of the matter is, he would much rather quit the rap game if it meant he could spend more time with Hailie. Such is his disgust for the consequences of his fame that he wishes he never started rapping in the first place. "I love my fans but no one ever puts a grasp on the fact That I sacrificed everything I had I never dreamt i'd get to the level that im at This is wack, this is more then I ever coulda asked Everywhere I go I had a sweater, hood or mask.... Its like the boy in a bubble who never could adapt I'm trapped If I could go back, I never woulda rapped I sold my soul to the devil, ill never get it back I just wanna leave this game with level head intact Imagine going from bein' a no one and seein everything blow up And all you did was grow up mceein' Its fuckin crazy, all I wanted was to give Hailie the life i never had I've forced us to live alienated" He felt he was getting too big (for his own good), he thought the majority of his fans did not understand him "Why am I so misunderstood? Why do I go through so much bullshit it's such bullshit". Encore was the result of him making the point that regardless of what he puts out there, his shit's still gonna sell. Therefore, he used this as an opportunity to just lay back, say whatever the fuck he wanted to say, however the fuck he wanted to say it and at the same time experiment with things like his flow and to make solid his new rap style. It's obvious he can no longer talk about the fucked up life he had, or any of that other shit, he has said most of it in his previous albums. This led him to then voice his political opinions, as he was struggling on subject matter. With Encore, he knew exactly what he was doing. He showed us all 3 of his persona's; Slim Shady, Marshall Mathers and Eminem. He tied up all the loose ends (the racist tape thing, the Hailie/Kim troubles), he then voiced more of his political beliefs (Mosh), he put out more of that Dre/50 Cent/O.Trice/D-12 stuff, and the rest of his album consisted of him just having fun, going crazy with his rhymes. Out came all the toilet humour, the facetious Eminem that we all tasted examples of in his previous albums. As he shared almost nothing with his lyrics, it caused him to spit less well. His raps seemed forced, the words didn't go together all that well, but they did go together with the beat. In other words, he sacrificed lyrical content for words that matched the beat which sounds good, but he was just experimenting and was trying to master it (I think he did so in Like Toy Soldiers).

Encore was basically a big fuck you to his fans, in a less subtle way, even though he still loved them, it somewhat bares a resemblance to this line from SSLP - "Tonight I think I'll write my biggest fan a fuck you letter". Because his fans couldn't or don't understand him, because they didn't 'let him be' - "I love my fans but no one ever puts a grasp on the fact That I sacrificed everything I had" - he felt he'd just put out anything, and he knows it will still sell. - "and I don't even gotta make no god damn sense I just did a whole song and I didn't say shit". He knows his fans are gonna hate Encore hence the note "To my family & all my friends thank you for everything. I will Always love you. To my fans I'm Sorr" he can't even finish the sentence off. This apology reinforces my theory. The majority of Encore is about nothing in particular, it's all just random bullshit. It is an extension of what we heard extracts of in his previous albums. If you listen to his other albums, he had already mentioned Christopher Reeve, Pee Wee Herman, Michael Jackson, corny pop singers etc, but he said what he had to say about these things in a few lines. With Encore, it seems has has written almost full songs about these irrelevant subject matters. He had fun doing it too, it required next to no talent whatsoever. It was too easy for him. For once he could just let go, and say all sorts of stupid shit in the masses. All the while he was aware that people were thinking or would think that he'd fucked up. I mean anybody who has listened to SSLP and MMLP (and even TES) who then listen to Encore would know that Eminem has fucked up. He does provide a hint to us that he HASN'T indeed fucked up which is what a lot of if not all the haters want him to do, a hint that he has still 'got it' - "I fucked up.... Psych, I'm kidding again you idiot, no I didn't That's just what you wanted to hear from me Is that I fucked up ain't it? But I can bust one take without lookin' at no paper It doesn't take a bunch of takes Or me to stand here in this booth all day For me to say the truth, ok? You're droolin, you have tooth decay Your mouth is open, you're disgusting What the fuck you eat for lunch A bunch of sweets or something, what? You munch a bunch of Crunch 'N Munch? Your tooth is rotten to the gum Your breath stinks, wanna chew some gum? Yes I do sir, what am I on? You sir are on truth syrum" - this verse stands out a mile on Big Weenie. It has nothing to do with the rest of the track, it isn't in the same tune as the rest of the track and indicates that when he wants to, he can spit sick shit. Encore does however, have a few stand out tracks and these were amongst other things, quite necessary. He felt he had to put out a few decent things, and Like Toy Soldiers and Yellow Brick Road were pretty decent.

Encore is different to his other albums and does not belong in the same league. One hint is in the album names, The Slim Shady LP, The Marshall Mathers LP, The Eminem Show, all named after his person's. Well after he has given us the three, what does he do next? He releases Encore different to his other album names, where he shows us all 3 of his persona's, but delivers to us more of the facetious Em. The one we have seen on TV, the one the mainstream know him better as. On his previous albums he only gave the mainstream 2-3 tracks, dedicating the rest of the album to his true fans. With Encore, he has given his true fans 2-3 tracks, whilst dedicating the rest of the album to the mainstream. I have seen that all of my friends that aren't into Eminem, (the mainstream lot basically) loved Encore, they thought it was brilliant. When asked about previous albums, they either have no intention in listening to them or they only like songs such us The Real Slim Shady, My Name Is and Without Me. Further evidence which suggests that Encore is separate from his previous 3 albums is the absence of Dina Rae, Ken Kaniff and Steve Berman. Heck, even that habbit Eminem has has of killing rappers on the same track as him (Patiently Waiting, Renegade, What's The Difference, Love Me, Go To Sleep, Don't Approach Me etc) has disappeared. 50 killed Em on Never Enough. Encore is not in the same style as his other albums, and seems misplaced as an Eminem album.

Now, if you were to tell me (and I'm sure many of you will) that I am wrong, and that Eminem HAS fallen off, he has lost his talent, and that he is just an embarassement now, well what do you reckon to his tracks after Encore and My Balls? Just check out his verses on We Ain't, Gatman and Robbin', Welcome To Detroit City, Hip Hop, Fubba A Cubba Cubba, Drama Setter, Anger Management and even on the I'll Hurt You Remix. Heck, even his 'humour' is funny to us now. He did humour brilliantly with SSLP, MMLP and TES, with Encore it was fucking lame, but just listen to the Dirty Steve Skit (which pays homeage to MMLP). It seems he is more confident now, he has solidly layed down his new style, the one where the words match the beat brilliantly, the flow is better, and it is more easier to listen to as you don't have to delve deep and get into it, so to speak. However, this is compromised by the poorer lyrical content/subject matter and poorer vocabulary. I mean it is very difficult to both rhyme crazy words in tune whilst talking about something meaningful and decent whilst at the same time matching it with the beat. I much rather prefer the "old Eminem", but that Eminem has gone. He no longer feels that hatred or angst. With Encore he was, in-part, struggling to keep a solid rap style. That's why so much of the shit was random. He hadn't lost his talent, he just didn't know at the time a good way to make use of it now that he couldn't rap about his broken home, or him getting bullied. Whilst experimenting though, whilst showing his creative side, he has given birth to the new Eminem. We will get some of the old Em though, but for now, the majority of his future tracks are in his new style. I like his new style and it is certainly better than that repugnant shit he put out on Encore which, even if done purposefully was still an embarassment. I patiently await for his future tracks, but his recent tracks are impressive, even though they aren't on the same level as his old stuff, I think he is slowly getting there.

PS. Haha, shit, I think I've written to much, I was only going to write a paragraph or two. Fuck it. Just read it and tell me what you think.

---------------------------------------------------

i didn't read these whole posts, but from what i did read, it was interesting.

[AJS2050]

ahh theres too many threads about encore, it was a great album em was having a good time enougth said , and just relax and wait paintienly for the new joint

but good read

[killmaster56]

yea very intresting. The one about it was just a big fuck you to the fans thats what ive been thinking. He knows how big he is and that he only needs his name on something to make his money and support his daughter. Its pretty much like he wants to be forgotten about thats why he has been laying low so people dont think about him. At least i think the past couple of years thats why you havent really heard eminems name. And the Re-up was just put out to make sure people buy the rest of shady records artist's cds.

[Robbie G]

That was a pretty good read.

Kinda makes since.

[Kez]

Could be true, but i honestly don't give a fuck about Encore, i just want him to release something new.

[Tash8]

^ i'm not sure he will be remembered for music in general

i mean like, in history books now they talk about The Beatles, the rolling stones, i dont think in 30 years eminem will be in the histroy books but i am positive 2pac will be.

[Emadyville]

Damn long but good read. And I kind of agree, there were some really good points as to why he would do what he did on encore. But at the very same time, I find it very hard to believe that he would jeopardize his entire career just to say fuck you to the fans. If that album was as good as the rest there would be no question as to where he ranks in hip-hop. Anyway good read.

Btw: I still don't understand why people hate on TES, that was my favorite album and what I thought to be as strong lyrically as his other albums.

[Tash8]

^ 2pac haha but i feel you on that... i just dont think he was here long enough.

[mart85]

I don't feel like writing a lot cause it's been discussed before, but I just wanted to say that I agree with you Tru... And I would say to me, Eminem is a bigger "popular culture icon" than a rapper. Not that he's not a great rapper, but for all the reasons Tru described, for a few years (around 2000-2003) he was one of the most popular person on the planet and I really believe he will be remembered for years and years.

[gladimnotsoluble]

Nice find tash, it was a good read. Can't say I agree or disagree just because no one really has a clue, I guess if Em's next album completely kills then we can refer back to this.

[Tash8]

^ 2pac haha but i feel you on that... i just dont think he was here long enough.

2Pac only had an active career for about 6 years. I think that's about the same time as Em (1999-2005).

2Pac is an icon, but I think he's more of a Hip Hop icon. Mostly Hip Hop fans will remember him and what he meant to music. And his state of icon-ness is different from Em's. I think it's fair to say that his death had a lot do with it. 'Cause let's face it, 2Pac wouldn't be remembered the same way as he is now if he didn't die the way he did. Ya know, it was during the beef with BIG, and the fact that BIG died a few months later as well, and also the fact that that BOTH cases were unsolved. That fuels his legacy.

that's one of my points, the way he died, the way his legacy went on, he's a legend because of his legacy, kinda stupid to say something like that, but its true...

the greatest, die in a sad way, they get assassinated.. One of the most recognized presidents besides george washington is John F. Kennedy and it's mainly because of how he died. of course to a certain extent you have to be great at what you do.

[blitches]

why's everybody hating on encore? "my 1st single" was on some lyrical shit

[Kez]

why's everybody hating on encore? "my 1st single" was on some lyrical shit

I pretty much agree with Mart and Tru (but Mart mainly cause his was shorter ), of course he's gonna be remembered. Most of his fans won't care that Encore wasn't perfect. The people that made him so popular aren't exactly music critics, let's say.

[4D]

^ 2pac haha but i feel you on that... i just dont think he was here long enough.

2Pac only had an active career for about 6 years. I think that's about the same time as Em (1999-2005).

2Pac is an icon, but I think he's more of a Hip Hop icon. Mostly Hip Hop fans will remember him and what he meant to music. And his state of icon-ness is different from Em's. I think it's fair to say that his death had a lot do with it. 'Cause let's face it, 2Pac wouldn't be remembered the same way as he is now if he didn't die the way he did. Ya know, it was during the beef with BIG, and the fact that BIG died a few months later as well, and also the fact that that BOTH cases were unsolved. That fuels his legacy.

that's one of my points, the way he died, the way his legacy went on, he's a legend because of his legacy, kinda stupid to say something like that, but its true...

the greatest, die in a sad way, they get assassinated.. One of the most recognized presidents besides george washington is John F. Kennedy and it's mainly because of how he died. of course to a certain extent you have to be great at what you do.

That's a good point.

But compare John Lennon to Bob Dylan, and you'll realise that Lennons death didn't make him bigger than Dylan. He was already adored by millions of besotted fans, and yes his death did raise his legacy, but moreso than Dylans? Not a hope. Dylans talent is the lyrical story telling, John had this too, but was more noted for his songwriting skills. I think the sheer body of work from Dylan, and the poetry of his lyrics will always outweigh even Lennon's greatest songs, like "Working Class hero" or "Imagine". What I'm saying is Lennon is no greater than Dylan because he was assassinated. Dylan is still the number one critically acclaimed songwriter of all time, everyone puts him top of the summit. Dylan has put out over 30 albums in the last fifty years (that's pretty fuckin prolific), and wrote some of the greatest songs of all time. How many shite songs or even shite albums do you think there were in that, answer is probably lots. But he will always be remembered for songs like "Hurricane", "The Times They Are a Changing" and "Like A Rolling Stone". People always remember the good stuff. The Legacy of the music is stronger than the legacy of the death.

It's a bad analogy to compare Eminem and Pac to Dylan and Lennon. But aside his death Tupac was a legend regardless, had he not died, he would have been an awesome artist anyway. He might've been more comparable to Dylan than Eminem, as he was very prolific and a very conscious minded writer. But, I wouldn't compare Eminem & 2Pac to Dylan & Lennon,'cos that's insane. You've to earn that kinda respect over the course of a couple of decades.

But I agree with Truemfan, I think Eminem has made a huge impact to popular music, not just hip-hop. Songs like "'97 Bonnie & Clyde", "Kim" & "Stan", are conceptually some of the most original songs (any genre) to come out in the last decade. Songs like "The Way I Am", "Lose Yourself" and "Till I Collapse" and "Renegade" have cemented him as one of the best rappers ever (imo). Tracks Like "Haileys Song" "Cleaning Out My Closet", "When I'm Gone" and even "My Dad's Gone Crazy" (Last verse is genius) have shown his ability to express himself emotionally and touch listeners hearts. The conscoius raps on Topical issues..."White America", "Mosh", "We As Americans" Then the songs he gets hated on for the most...the catchy pop songs where he lays everything on the line to entertain, fuck the emcee rep, fuck the hype, it's act the fool time...."My Name Is", The Real Slim Shady", "Without Me", "Just Lose It", "Rain Man", "Fack", etc. These are the songs that people will write him off on, saying it's weak and lazy. But I totally disagree, I think it shows strength of character and bravery to be able to Just Lose It and have a laugh. There's a comedian in Eminem that he needs to unleash, and I think we're all the more lucky for it. Some of his best lyrics have been said in jest, even "Fack", revered, hated and labelled as his worst song, is still laugh out loud funny to me.

If he never made another track, his "Best Of" Double CD, would be good enough to rival anyone in any genre or any generation, not just hip-hop. That's how good he is imo. And that's on only 4 studio albums, it doesn't get any more consistent than that.

[Kez]

Some of his best lyrics have been said in jest, even "Fack", revered, hated and labelled as his worst song, is still laugh out loud funny to me.

Agreed, when Fack came out i had a friend who showed it to me and we were just laughing. Never thought "oh, he's become shit"