Eminem’s latest music video for his single ‘Houdini’ not only features his iconic Slim Shady persona but also reunites him with his longtime mentor, Dr. Dre. On June 4, Eminem took to Instagram to share behind-the-scenes photos from the superhero-themed shoot, bringing back memories of his earlier works like ‘Without Me’ and ‘The Real Slim Shady.’
In a series of Instagram posts, Eminem, dressed in a Robin-inspired Rap Boy superhero outfit, is seen on set with Dr. Dre. “Why is he still dressing like that?” he captioned, adding hashtags like #Houdini and #TheDeathofSlimShady. Eminem’s outfit is reminiscent of his character from the early 2000s but with a fresh, modern twist.
The song ‘Houdini’ samples his own classic hit ‘Without Me’ and features playful yet controversial lyrics. Addressing Megan Thee Stallion’s 2020 shooting incident, he raps, ‘If I was to ask for Megan Thee/ Stallion if she would collab with me/ Would I really have a shot at a feat?’ Em continues to push boundaries with wordplay, referencing R. Kelly and his infamous scandal: ‘In the coupe, leaning back my seat/ Bumpin’ R. Kelly’s favorite group, the black guy pees.’
Eminem doesn’t shy away from hot-button issues, taking jabs at cancel culture and gender identity: ‘My shit may not be age-appropriate/ But I will hit an eight-year-old in the face with a participation trophy/ ‘Cause I have zero doubts that this whole world’s ’bout to turn into some girl scouts/ That censorship bureau’s out to (shut me down).’ He also adds, ‘My transgender cat’s Siamese/ Identifies as black, but acts Chinese.’
The video showcases an epic showdown between Eminem’s 2002 Slim Shady persona and his present-day self. This comic book-style face-off spirals into chaos, resulting in the creation of a hybrid ‘monster’ who is even more unfiltered. Besides Dr. Dre, the video features cameo appearances from 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Royce Da 5’9”, The Alchemist, Jimmy Iovine, manager Paul Rosenberg, and Shady Records signee Westside Boogie.
Towards the end of the video, comedian Pete Davidson makes a surprise appearance, riding in a car with Eminem. The rapper’s three children also make brief appearances, aligning with references in the lyrics.
‘Houdini’ is the lead single from Eminem’s upcoming 12th album, ‘The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce),’ slated for release this summer.
Eminem’s ‘Houdini’ video is a nostalgic yet fresh experience that reunites him with Dr. Dre and other notable figures. As the lead single for his upcoming album, fans can expect more of Slim Shady’s iconic, boundary-pushing style.
