A theory on why Eminem's using so many punchlines

[xxTrigger1989xx]

I thought about this last night, so I will share my theory on exactly WHY Eminem keeps on trying to do all these punchlines, instead of storytelling and imagery, which is what he's best at

Someone said, in another topic, that Eminem was trying to "follow the crowd", trying to stay as relevant as he can. So, I thought about this and I agree, but I don't think it's just because of "following the crowd". I think it's also because of the people he's working with, and the content of those songs. On Recovery, he has a few storytelling tracks, and these tracks end up being the best songs off of Recovery, and not so many features. But, look at the people he's collaborating with. Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, etc. Both Wayne and Nicki are punchline rappers, and I think when Em collaborates with people like this he kinda...adopts their style, for the sake of the song (I'm hoping that's the reason). Look at Talkin' 2 Myself, for example. He doesn't try to spew punchlines every few words, he doesn't yell or shout, it doesn't sound at all forced.

I think Eminem's seen what the casual rap fan really likes, which are shitty punchlines and, essentially, bragging. He hasn't sold out like so many fuckers on here like to scream about every other post, but I think if Em would collaborate with great rappers who are not all about punchlines, such as Lupe Fiasco, then I'd think we'd hear less punchlines and more incredible lines. It's easy for Em to kill a song with the likes of Wayne or Nicki on them, but Lupe would force Em to think more deeply about his rhymes

Thoughts on this? Agree? Disagree?

[M+M]

Yes he needs to collab with better artists or don't collab at all and leave the punch lines for the freestyles
and he needs to at least control the shouting if he is going to use it so that it doesn't go overboard.

[xxTrigger1989xx]

Yes he needs to collab with better artists or don't collab at all and leave the punch lines for the freestyles
and he needs to at least control the shouting if he is going to use it so that it doesn't go overboard.

The shouting works on SOME songs, but I'm hoping that he only did the shouting for those few songs. Because despite how much people don't like the shouting, he actually hasn't done it a whole lot. We've only heard a handfull of songs from him that features the shouting

[Alaine]

he's doing it because he wants to

[xxTrigger1989xx]

he's doing it because he wants to

But why would he want to now, when he didn't want to before? I mean, I believe he's not being forced or anything like that, I just think he's doing it because of the people he's working with and the context of the songs. I like Roman's Revenge, but a lot of people don't because of the punchlines, so it's not like I'm criticising him

[Alaine]

I think it's obvious that because of people he's working with and the hip-hop environment right now, somewhat of a trend, kinda like back then 2003 he got into that gangsta rap, part of it because of he's been around 50 cent, part of it because gangsta rap was running the scene & was the trend back then. He's always trying to stay in touch/relevant with current environment and still being himself at the same time.

[Mahmoud48]

hes doing it to show lil wayne and his fans that eminem is better at everything
even though its not eminem style

[xxTrigger1989xx]

I think it's obvious that because of people he's working with and the hip-hop environment right now, somewhat of a trend, kinda like back then 2003 he got into that gangsta rap, part of it because of he's been around 50 cent, part of it because gangsta rap was running the scene & was the trend back then. He's always trying to stay in touch/relevant with current environment and still being himself at the same time.

I know, that's what I was saying in the OP. He's doing it because of the environment. If he got into a better environment, maybe that would make all of the difference. I, personally, don't mind the punchlines as much as everyone else on here. I do miss the storytelling. But I thought it would bring some good discussion, but after about 50 views and only two other people besides me responded...I guess people aren't interested in why, which amazes me because so many people bitch about the punchlines

[Duffy_hibs]

After Relapse came out everyone was on here complaining because of the lack of witty punchlines he used.

"You said you want your punchlines a little more compact, well shorty I'm that man"

Maybe he's listening to the fans?, kinda like the accent thing.

[Alaine]

I think it's obvious that because of people he's working with and the hip-hop environment right now, somewhat of a trend, kinda like back then 2003 he got into that gangsta rap, part of it because of he's been around 50 cent, part of it because gangsta rap was running the scene & was the trend back then. He's always trying to stay in touch/relevant with current environment and still being himself at the same time.

I know, that's what I was saying in the OP. He's doing it because of the environment. If he got into a better environment, maybe that would make all of the difference. I, personally, don't mind the punchlines as much as everyone else on here. I do miss the storytelling. But I thought it would bring some good discussion, but after about 50 views and only two other people besides me responded...I guess people aren't interested in why, which amazes me because so many people bitch about the punchlines

probably because this matter has been brought up before, personally I don't have problem with his punchlines like many people here. At the end of the day, he will keep using it as long as he wants.

and storytelling? LTWYL & Spacebound are stories, I think the concept of LTWYL is genius but of course people too busy thinking about rihanna being in the song

[xxTrigger1989xx]

I think it's obvious that because of people he's working with and the hip-hop environment right now, somewhat of a trend, kinda like back then 2003 he got into that gangsta rap, part of it because of he's been around 50 cent, part of it because gangsta rap was running the scene & was the trend back then. He's always trying to stay in touch/relevant with current environment and still being himself at the same time.

I know, that's what I was saying in the OP. He's doing it because of the environment. If he got into a better environment, maybe that would make all of the difference. I, personally, don't mind the punchlines as much as everyone else on here. I do miss the storytelling. But I thought it would bring some good discussion, but after about 50 views and only two other people besides me responded...I guess people aren't interested in why, which amazes me because so many people bitch about the punchlines

probably because this matter has been brought up before, personally I don't have problem with his punchlines like many people here. At the end of the day, he will keep using it as long as he wants.

and storytelling? LTWYL & Spacebound are stories, I think the concept of LTWYL is genius but of course people too busy thinking about rihanna being in the song

I mean, I know that those songs are stories lol. Space Bound is one of my favorites. What I mean to say is he doesn't do the storytelling tracks as much as he used to. Don't get me wrong, I love Recovery. I just figured that, with all the bitching, I'd try to defend Em and justify why he's doing them, and that seems to be the only explaination.

[Robbie G]

Agreed. There is way too many cringe worthy punchlines on Recovery.

[MikeNUFC]

@Geno

People want him to rap in a normal voice without shouting > valid point
People dont want him to use terrible punchlines > valid point

Why should people not complain if they dont like something?

[Atone]

lol you pplcan never be happy can you, first you cried cuz of Encore "sucking" and then you complained that he did the "accents" in relapse, and now your bitchen about "punchlines" in Recovery, shut the fuck up and enjoy the music

[Devil'sAdvocate]

lol you pplcan never be happy can you, first you cried cuz of Encore "sucking" and then you complained that he did the "accents" in relapse, and now your bitchen about "punchlines" in Recovery, shut the fuck up and enjoy the music