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Eminem Pays Homage To His 'Beautiful' City

Posted Thu Jul 2, 2009 2:05pm PDT by Billy Johnson, Jr. in Hip-Hop Media Training

Eminem puts his controversial antics on the back-burner for the fourth single from his "Relapse" album which has already sold more than 1 million copies since its May 19 release.

The video for his new record "Beautiful" spotlights his hometown of Detroit. It opens with a historical statement about the Michigan's national ranking during an economic peak.

"In 1950, Michigan was 1 of 8 states in America that collectively produced 36% of the world's GNP," the text read.

On a second screen the message continued, "Detroit was the greatest manufacturing city in the world."

The 4-minute clip shows Eminem walking through various Michigan landmarks that once thrived but are now impoverished--Beaux-Arts train station (Michigan Central Station), the original Tiger Stadium, and the former Packard Motor Car Company plant. Each of the now dilapidated structures were built prior to 1914.

Ironically, the song lyrics are not about Detroit, but Eminem's battles with depression during his bout with an addiction for which he sought rehabilitation. He raps, "I don't know how or why or when, I ended up in this position I'm in."

In a statement released via his label, Eminem said that after overcoming his trials, he realized that the song could also be used as a metaphor.

"Tiger Stadium is being torn down, and the train station is supposed to be demolished too," Eminem said. "This video is one of the last times anybody outside of Detroit is going to see them."

Eminem added, "['Beautiful'] is a reminder to keep your head up, and to see who you really are despite what you may be going through. Now that I've gotten through the toughest part, I see how the song relates to Detroit, and it feels even more powerful."


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1335 Comments

81. danny s -
lame

82. HYDRO -
forget eminem....he is whack,now he wants to be serious
he is such a head case,,lol

83. Jeffrey -
I agree with HYDRO, EMINEM is wack, DETROIT is not the only city hurtin', every city in AMERICA is hurtin'. EM needs to RAP about repairing all the damaged people that he helpped destroy with the evil lyrics he inject into each one of his songs. EM will have to stand before GOD one day and atest for his share of all the crazy stuff he RAP'D about, GOD didn't give him his talents for what he's using it for.

84. Luis -
so gay

85. First L -
Eminem is a flash in the pan shock jock idiot who makes millions off of your ignorance and stupidity. Rap is not music. Get a life losers

86. Aaron -
Best rapper of all time

87. Yahoo! Music User -
Nice job M. glad for you, keep clean,sad for our country and people. Keep up the good work. I live in Maine,small state, small factorys, shoes, shirts, paper, lumber,all empty,all gone.

88. Yahoo! Music User -
Too bad The Pens beat detroits ass :)

89. Amanda D -
MJ passes away but, this idiot is still alive & well???

90. daniel -
Song Sucks!!!

91. Yahoo! Music User -
First L. He shure has been a long flash, when is it going to go out? There is more telent in his little toe then you will ever have if you can't open up and listen to whats going on around you. I'm 55 and love blues, but have been listening to M since day one. Along with any other artist that comes along with talent, listen, learn and grow.

92. chico -
Detriot sucks just as much as Eminem they, were Made for each other!.

93. Bryan -
eminem in my opinion is the best rapper... all his songs have inspirational and amazing lyrics

94. jenny -
this is an amazing break from his norm it shows a maturity that wasn't there before.

95. Yahoo! Music User -
Beautiful.....says it all

Thank you Em

96. srobin07 -
A very powerful video but made tears well up in my eyes to see Tiger Stadium being torn down. Such history.............gone

97. Carla -
i love eminem hes so hot n his music is awesome

98. Riley -
dame son that waz tight yo!!!=):);)

99. daniel -
If you like hip hop?! You need to listen to k-os! Then we can talk about good music!!! Eminem is kidz s*&t!

100. WillyR -
Eminem is by far the greatest rapper.. he has lyrics that cant be touched. hes representing his home and there struggles, its kool that hes looking out 4 his town.. great job E. NO MATTER WHAT IN MY EYES UR THE BEST. THANKS 4 ALL THE GREAT MUSIC S WELL. WILLY R JR
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