by EminemBase » Feb 2nd, '12, 14:03
Because Eminem made it his business to explicitly insult those kinds of artists to separate himself from them, to stop himself being lumped in and compared with them.
So from the outside it looks like hypocrisy. But, in my mind he hasn't really done an unjustified collaboration yet, other than maybe Pink, which was also wasted.
But the Rihanna collab was artistically brilliant. To put her, the victim of the most public domestic abuse case in recent times, on the hook of THAT track, to create that paradox. It's very similar to when he performed with Elton in front of GLAAD protesters.
That is what most people miss about the track, and it's actually a very good sign as to how he's thinking, artistically. As he's thinking bigger, and trying to push buttons again, in a meaningful way.
"Love the Way You Lie" is ENHANCED by Rihanna, it is what it is because of Rihanna. A lot of people say they wished Sasha Grey had sung on it but that would make the track much less interesting. Then it would be a, still very well written, but normal song about domestic violence. Rihanna singing the hook elevates it, creates a paradox and makes it something special.