MMLP2 - Genuine Concept or Manufactured Image

[ladelsofgravy]

Perhaps MMLP2 is the spiritual sequel of MMLP, or it could be a convenient cash-in of his previous success. At this point, we don't know. Albums (over mixtapes) often have the ability to treat the listener to an entirely new concept, yet most don't. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club by The Beatles started this trend, despite not being a concept album at all and Lennon saying it was just a mish-mash of random songs that had nothing to do with theme.

After The Eminem Show (TES), while I enjoyed lots of his later material, I was a bit disappointed that each of his efforts haven't come close to topping TES. But in recent years, I feel Eminem has been manufacturing an image for himself rather than being himself. Encore, despite it's share of weak tracks, was genuine. And Relapse was quite genuine, even if it lacked the energy, confidence, dynamic vocals and Em's domineering presence that was in all of his other albums.

Recovery, I felt, wasn't genuinely Eminem, on the whole. Definitely, he was open and honest, but he combined that with a persona that just wasn't who he was. In Recovery era, he has been somber, monochromatic, and a bit drab. And it was all to compensate. Encore and Relapse were more silly than they were funny, so he wanted to prove to the mainstream audience that he was more than a joke rapper and could stand up to his contemporaries in a modern era.

Unfortunately, he did this with annoying pro-tools drumloops and cliche softrock beats. That, and he basically tried to copy the trend Lil Wayne started with all the wordplay and metaphors. And Eminem often equated and sometimes confused fast verbose delivery with on-point delivery. Worst of all, he never smiled or laughed once in public, and constantly tried to surpress it to maintain a badboy, grown-man, or toughguy image, compared to his much more colorful presence pre-Encore.

Following extreme silliness with an extreme somber mood now gives him the creative freedom to be whoever he wants now. But just how will he use it? I've been waiting years to see him with blonde hair, a new sound and most importantly, having fun again. I'm hoping this is more than just a ploy. I'm not doubting anything at this point, but keeping my expectations low after being continually disappointed with Em for the past several years.

[XxachiganxX]

You got it!

[SoldierShady]

Yep.

[kkaniff]

I think Berzerk is a good sign that its not manufactured. If Em wanted to sell records he'll put out a LTWYL, I know this, you know it, and Em sure as hell does too. Berzerk is a departure from a sure thing, so is the album name. The potential fallout from the name of the album, if it fails to deliver, outweighs any of the gains you're imagining.
If Em wanted hype, there are millions of other safer ways he could have chosen to go about it. But he chose this. That in itself is a good sign.
BTW, Just converted another infidel to the Way of the Stan, kkaniff for Pope.

[RayMcTechGuy]

I feel it.

[Raul]

I think MMLP2 is a genuine concept. It would be very egotistic and insensible to name a new album like a sequel to a masterpiece just for money making or to manufacture an image.

[ladelsofgravy]

I think MMLP2 is a genuine concept. It would be very egotistic and insensible to name a new album like a sequel to a masterpiece just for money making or to manufacture an image.

Yet it might be. I'm not expecting MMLP2 to beat out MMLP1, but I do expect that it will be an original genuine album rather than a quick cash-in. Because I've seen other rappers make sequels to their defining albums and they often don't live up.

[ladelsofgravy]

I'm certainly happy to see him back to his old ways. And it looks like he's having more fun than he ever did on Relapse, BME, Re-Up or Recovery, so that's a plus.

[Drax207]

I like the somber mood more than the crazy one you can see here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcMp65kT ... re=related

I think he should remain crazy and disrespectful on songs, not in real life. Or at least, not that much. Gotta say he was hilarious though

[unbound88]

It just feels like he's feeling more free and he's doing what he wants at this point, everything I've seen and heard it just feels more like Eminem than Recovery or Relapse, both of which are "sort of Eminem" but feel forced in various ways in one direction or another.

[Hopsinshadie]

I like the somber mood more than the crazy one you can see here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcMp65kT ... re=related

I think he should remain crazy and disrespectful on songs, not in real life. Or at least, not that much. Gotta say he was hilarious though

Nice. Why does Em seem to have less of a Detroit accent nowadays?

[cryonseris]

OP is 100% right.

Berzerk was risky, and because of that alone, I think the album is going to be EMINEM, and not a fake persona.

[Shuttle Destroyer]

Nice read
MMLP 2 is everything you've been dying for since Recovery
Stop being skeptical and wait for the classic to come out

[OutlawƎ]

Nobody can tell by now , though .
Wait until his interviews and maybe we will learn more .

[hurricaneallmighty]

manufactured image