Author Robert Greene Talks About How Eminem Burned Out

[babyjane]

Robert Greene just might be your favorite rapper's favorite writer, but if you saw him on the street, you'd never guess that the best-selling author would have had any impact on hip-hop. A tall, soft-spoken 53-year-old, Greene looks like kind of guy you'd guess was teaching a college course, not teaching rappers, Wall Street types, and Hollywood executives about the ways of the world. But in 1998, when he published his best selling book, The 48 Laws of Power, he became the unlikeliest of hip-hop heroes.

Greene went on to write several successful books including another huge hit, The Art of Seduction. But in the hip-hop world, he remains best known for 48 Laws which has been quoted by everyone from Jay-Z to Busta Rhymes. His book was so well received in the hip-hop community he wrote a book with 50 Cent, The 50th Law. Last November, he published his fifth book, Mastery. The book explores the idea of becoming a master in any particular field, and was inspired by time Greene spent with 50. Greene swung by the Complex offices to discuss the idea of mastering the art of rapping, why Jay-Z is still making hits and 50 isn't, and why the 10,000 hour rule can only go so far in rap music.

What would you say about someone like Eminem? He has the natural talent, put in the 10,000 hours, and still makes hit records but he’s not the same rapper he once was.

It’s think it’s a young man’s business. A lot of it is testosterone-fueled. It’s an anger, a feeling that you had in your youth. Hip-hop has a feeling element, it’s not just about knowing music. It’s not like classical music or jazz where you can go on raw energy.

I think Eminem burned out. He’s not good at the publicity and social part of it. He really hated that. I tried interviewing him for The 50th Law and I couldn’t get through. I interviewed all of his people around him. He doesn’t like interacting with people and it’s a very social business. So he’s not putting in the energy that he used to have. Also, if you have millions and millions of dollars, you’re living in a totally different world. You don’t feel it anymore and you’ve got to feel it.

I use a lot of jazz artists in my book. My favorite jazz artist is John Coltrane who I think is the greatest master of modern music, or the 20th century at least. He died when he was like 40 but he totally burned himself out. His music depended a lot on that kind of feeling and closeness to his roots. I don’t know how long you can keep that going. It becomes fake.

http://www.complex.com/music/2013/05/in ... ery/page/2

[BlueberryWun]

Since Em came back in 2008 it is true he seem socially awkward, nervous and doesn't seem to be enjoying being infront of the camera even the way he dresses real dull now. but from 1999 to 2005 he seemed to be having fun, seemed naturally happy, out going, he dressed fly, he had that swagger in his step. I understand he 40 and dude isn't gonna rock sweats no more but he can still present himself well.

[Hansen]

Since Em came back in 2008 it is true he seem socially awkward, nervous and doesn't seem to be enjoying being infront of the camera even the way he dresses real dull now. but from 1999 to 2005 he seemed to be having fun, seemed naturally happy, out going, he dressed fly, he had that swagger in his step. I understand he 40 and dude isn't gonna rock sweats no more but he can still present himself well.

The 1999-2005 era he was heavily drugged out, that probably made him more social/relaxed etc.

[BlueberryWun]

True that

[Elision]

thats word

[Jimmy Conway]

It's harder to stay hungry when you have it all.

But he isn't burnt out, he just hasn't been trying as hard.

You can always get hungry again. You just have to find new types of food.

When he finds a reason to be hungry we get Relapse. When he doesn't, we get Encore and Recovery.

Just depends on if he is motivated. He will never be as motivated as when if he wasn't good, he and his daughter would have a bad life. But there is still reasons.

And of course he isn't as happy. Life is hard. He's had friends die. Realized things won't work out with his kids mom. He can't do drugs anymore and has to cope with fame.

But his life is still better than 95% of the world, so fuck him. He'll be alright.

[python]

Relapse was his comeback, but people realized how good it was too late, and we got some rushed "inspirational" album. Luckily, Em has been a bit hungrier lately (way more energy in his recent works, including the fact he realized Recovery sucked to some degree by talking down to it in My Life), he just needs to put that to use.

[PAINKILLƎR]

Em wants to be the very best, like no one ever was.

[HeySamantha]

He'll always be on top musically because of his influence and impact on the music world, but he's getting chewed up and spit out of a social media world. If he tweeted more, he'd gain a lof people back. People find him boring, but musically entertaining. The problem with that is that if you're name isn't out there, people don't know you're doing anything new. He can make the all of the badass music that he wants, but if he's not there socially, he won't do as well as he should and could.

Social media is where you need to be these days, the music and sales comes after that unfortunately. This also don't mean he needs to tweet photos of his girls or talk about his dinner.. but he should be on twitter cracking jokes or posting funny photos a few times per week. Just to keep his name out there like "hey, I didn't die all of those Christmas' ago like everyone thinks I did!!"

[Despicable]

Ive seen many interviews after he came back where he seems relaxed and having fun and looks glad to be back.The Recovery interview during his Home and Home concert with Jay z is one example.

Then there are other interviews where he looks tired and looks like he doesnt wanna be there at all.But after 15 years in the game,how can anyone blame him for that?
He is 40 years old and near the end of his career,we should be happy that he still makes music at all and will give us another album.He could have retired a long ass time ago if he wanted.

Of course rap is a young mans game,every rapper is at their best when they first come out.They are broke,hungry and have something to prove.

[BlueberryWun]

He'll always be on top musically because of his influence and impact on the music world, but he's getting chewed up and spit out of a social media world. If he tweeted more, he'd gain a lof people back. People find him boring, but musically entertaining. The problem with that is that if you're name isn't out there, people don't know you're doing anything new. He can make the all of the badass music that he wants, but if he's not there socially, he won't do as well as he should and could.

Social media is where you need to be these days, the music and sales comes after that unfortunately. This also don't mean he needs to tweet photos of his girls or talk about his dinner.. but he should be on twitter cracking jokes or posting funny photos a few times per week. Just to keep his name out there like "hey, I didn't die all of those Christmas' ago like everyone thinks I did!!"

I feel like Em is very comfortable that majority of his fan base probably come from a middle to upper class sububan backround as do most succesful rappers fans. But with Em it is more obvious because he sells more than anyone else. I think Em is always gonna have hunger to try to win over as many people from the type of place and enviroment he he grew up in though that even after all these years aren't fans. Mainly because the roots of the culture an art form are from there. I think sometimes he has a lot of weight on his shoulders though. Cus he has so many diffrent fans who like him for diffrent reasons pleasing everyone can be stressful. Look at it thru Em's eyes for a sec he seeing how all these otheer rappers even some of the most hardcore ever like DMX and Jadakiss can collab with a Rihanna or whatever and their fans not even 1% don't crucify them. But with Em he has to deal with alot from a even a minority of his fans.

[python]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZPvgLVYTpE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A98BXAkuXO4
Em seems pretty damn happy.

[TheGentlePlayer]

More pressure on Ems next album

[King Lance]

50 Cent 's music isn't what it once was because he is still talking about something he left a long time ago imo

[Emadyville]

em is still hungry thats for damn sure. his success and shock value may have ruined his career now in the sense that he was shocking, but people became used to it from him so even with relapse he wasnt really shocking as much as we expected the fucked up shit from him.