Is it not possible for the next album to be a classic?

[Hopsinshadie]

Im always optimistic. Some on here said this will be his best one. While i still think he's better than his Encore days, it doesn't seem like there is anything new he can truly rap about. If all he is going to do is rap about his old days, that would be kind of depressing, just sounding like an old man reliving the past. And he can't really go back to being slim, because everyone would criticize him for being 40. Do you think we just have to accept that the best we can get is an entertaining album? I think Eminem is a victim of his past success. He will never get credit for good songs because people will only look at what's wrong with them or what's too forced or what's too unoriginal, or what's too different, or what is too the same, or how he didn't grow. I mean let's think about this deeply. Can there be anything left he can possibly rap about that would surprise us?

[mdemaz]

I just wanna hear some nicely crafted hip-hop.
I don't really care about themes anymore, just shit you can bump in the background that is dope.

I'd rather see Em' continue the style he's doing now, but maybe get some better producers and rap about random shit about where he's at atm and where he wants to go.

[Slim Fiasco]

I mean let's think about this deeply. Can there be anything left he can possibly rap about that would surprise us?

Can there be anything left any rapper can possibly rap about that would surprise us? Rap music is repetitive by itself, and basically everything has already been said, it's just how you say it. I will say this for the millionth time though, the primary thing Em needs to fix is the delivery. Give us a normal flow ala The Warning and no one will complain. It's OK if he raps about personal stuff that we already know. As you've seen, everybody loved Deja Vu. Look at Nas, he's been rapping about the same things for 20 years, and Life Is Good is still one of the most anticipated albums of the year. The difference is, his delivery is amazing nowadays, and he actually raps on good (vintage Hip-Hop) beats. That's all it really takes.

I don't think that anyone expects for him to drop something better than his old albums, and he doesn't have to. It's better if he doesn't try so hard, because all that experimenting has lead to bunch of bullshit. People may like Relapse in here, but I assure you that most people despise it and he basically got ridiculed about it.

[Hopsinshadie]

Hmm you guys are right. It's not the concept, it's his delivery and quality that will make the album good.

[tjvatikaki21]

Shit, I really hope so.

[ImHungry]

Unfortunately it's not possible, he doesn't have 'it' anymore.

[Slim Fiasco]

Yes, it's possible, I agree with Slim Fiasco's post, but I'm pointing out that Eminem's latest material has been inconsistent, some shit's ehh (Richard), some shit is complete trash (Throw It Up) and some shit is outstanding (BET Cypher verse) .. If - Like Kendrick Lamar - he released a long streak of incredible tracks you can be certain it'll be a classic, but sadly that's not what happen. We still have a long time to go though.

Good point. And it's such a shame that the guy who can get the best beats from the best producers settles down for mediocre stuff.

[ImHungry]

Good point. And it's such a shame that the guy who can get the best beats from the best producers settles down for mediocre stuff.

You know what they call an artist who settles down for mediocre stuff? A sell-out!

[Devil'sAdvocate]

it is impossible,Em will never put out a classic,its basically a matter of luck "ATM" for him,he just tries shit and see if its good,I FUCKING HOPE HE DOES PUT OUT A CLASSIC THOUGH,i miss the Eminem i grew up listening too

[tadpole25]

yes, but eminem needs to break new ground because it seems like he's exhausted everything:
- his serial killer persona
- his misogynist persona
- his silly encore persona
- his apologeticness on recovery
- halie, proof, kim

he needs new subject matter

[UofLCard]

I haven't heard any recent solo material to say yes or no.

it is impossible,Em will never put out a classic

Depending on who you talk to, MMLP and/or Eminem Show are classics.

[Manly Moose]

Depends on how you define a classic.
People think Ye's MBDTF a classic, yet he barely rapped on it. So I decided not to care about what people think and listen to whatever is good to me.

I just wanna hear him flowing easily with great lyrics, don't give a fuck if the album was dedicated to his penis.

Most classic albums arent rap albums, though MBDTF isnt really a classic considering some of the filler.

[deaneedog]

He needs some proper subjects to rap about tbh.

[KingDavid]

he needs to rap about christopher reeves

[EminemBase]

I think that depends on two main things: samples (hooks), and production.

I think if he goes the obvious route again now (now that it's become a formula / predictable) and just samples random tracks for hooks / basic emotional concepts and has sporadic and clashy production... I can't see it being a classic. I think it'll be another mixed bag.

I think the key is not to compromise. Irrespective of the apparent compromise on Recovery... all the raps / songs actually sound like they were made for the same album, so there's no real glitch in consistency in that respect, when I hear it... but the production is... up and down.

If Em produced the next one with the Bass Bros, has live instruments again (and original melodies), barely samples and keeps the rap styles consistent, I think it could be.

He certaintly has the skill and energy right now to do it, but, we'll see.