Marshall Mathers – why did you leave us? Why did you succumb to falling from such height at such a rate, then decide to take your merry time in returning to us? There was no warning, you exploded onto the scene with the Slim Shady LP, shocking in every way and not least due to the lyrical ability. The Marshall Mathers LP, the difficult second album? You made it look easy. Brutality with wit, insidiously insightful and viciously articulate, you captured a generation and shook us to the edge of death with a thought process demonstrating there was method to the madness. A Shakespeare on speed.

The Eminem Show, from slums to center stage you took off the mask and gave us a peek at what it was like to be the biggest rapper on the planet. I’ll discuss the legendary trilogy at a later date, keep that ego in check for a second – tell me what happened next? Don’t look away, stop fiddling and don’t mumble. Had trouble sleeping did we? As far as problems go, you’ve suffered worse previously, haven’t you? Don’t shrug, aren’t those the same shoulders that held up so much but wouldn’t budge? You’re a soldier remember…

So what came next? Encore, The Re-Up and Curtain Call strung together with a plethora of verses featured on other artists albums. I won’t list them, and not because I choose not to remember. Like a broken relationship that you cling onto in remembrance of those rare moments of joy – times where the wait and patience were justified, as fans we took hit after hit. Yet ‘Love You More’ to this day is my favourite Eminem song, everything from the beat to the twisted reality of the Eminem and Kim story that would have sent the strongest of souls down a path of destruction.

No Apologies – a final verse reminding us that he needs music more than Hip Hop needs him, an outlet for an artist who gained success in the portrayal of his own failures. When I’m Gone announced the death of Slim Shady, but what we’re we left with? Many moons passed without so much as a squeak from the Shady camp, a draught of such magnitude that another fart laced record would have almost had been welcome as a measure for demonstrating signs of life.

Come 2009 we were handed Relapse which I considered a strong album. Importantly, the sharpness in the lyrics were back, the rhyming schemes and attention to detail were of a caliber arguably not seen since the early days of the first major releases. But the album was the equivalent of a jimmy Page warm up drill, we had all the talent in the world being displayed – but it had been years, countless events such as the tragic passing of Proof and we wanted to hear his thoughts. Instead we were given a week in the life of a serial killer. So much blood but ultimately so little substance – each track a page of a book so harsh and vivid that a repeat reading wouldn’t be necessary.

A career cannot be summarised in a few paragraphs, and it was not my attempt, yet I’ve said that to say this: it’s a special time to be an Eminem fan. A change of direction was signalled with Forever, continued with Drop The World, took a leap with Airplanes Part 2 and arrived at our current destination: Not Afraid. As a single it’s strong. The irresistibly generic beat, the anthem of a chorus and smooth flow all contribute. But it’s the self reflection and acknowledgment that give the impression of an artist confidently in the zone. He proudly says “no more drama from now on I promise to focus solely on handling my responsibility’s as a father”, with some fans fearing the emergence of a born again christian that’ll send Will Smith rushing to confession. Once the King of Controversy, to provoke as much emotion this year but of a positive kind would be interesting to see. Many believe Recovery will continue on from where The Eminem Show left off, yet I’m anticipating the 2010 Infinite. Strip away the label pressures, the shock value requirements, the celebrity gimmicks, the misdirected anger and we’re left with a man who with a passion for rhyming wanting little more than the respect of his peers.

For the first time in years, it no longer feels like Eminem is playing catch up. The fire may have expired at 30, but the darkest hour is the one before dawn and the future is looking bright… Recovery, June 22nd.

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