Music fans were expecting nothing but abrasive and offensive old Eminem tracks on his latest album and clearly weren’t ready for his heart-wrenching song dedicated to his daughter.
Eminem’s latest album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), has been hotly anticipated for months with fans salivating at how the legendary rapper would reflect and reference his past glory and heyday.
Fans already got a taste of the album with the song ‘Houdini’ that Eminem, real name Marshall Bruce Mathers III, released in May.
The song was positively received and had a slew of references to some of his older hits.
So, fans expected much of the same for the full album release today (July 12), however one song caught them off guard – ‘Temporary’.
Eminem told daughter Hailie Jade she would eventually move on after his death in his new song. (Instagram/@eminem)
The song acts as a love letter to the rapper’s 28-year-old daughter, Hailie Jade, for when he eventually dies.
Fans that know Eminem’s back catalogue well, will be aware that he mentions his successes and failures when it comes to being a parent, with songs like ‘Mockingbird’ and ‘When I’m Gone’ coming to mind.
Eminem opens ‘Temporary’ by saying: “A lot of people ask me, am I afraid of death?
“The truth is, I think what scares me the most is not being able to say all the things I wanna say to you when I’m no longer here.
“So, this song is for Hailie, for when that day comes.”
Eminem and Hailie (right) at the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2022. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
The song even includes adorable audio between Eminem and his daughter when she was a toddler.
It goes on to comfort Hailie, following her father’s death, and fans have been admitting to tearing up after their first listen.
Many have taken to social media to remark that it made them think of their own relationships with their parents and children.
“’Temporary’ & ‘Somebody Save Me’ had me f***** crying,” one user wrote on YouTube.
Eminem’s latest album isn’t all jokes and gags with some heartfelt songs. (Instagram/@eminem)
Another added: “This made me cry so hard. This makes me think of my own father. He’s been there for me even though he’s done drugs, sent to jail, and all that s***. This makes me realize there’s still hope for him. Thank you Eminem.”
While a third wrote: “We’ve listened over the years as he dedicates these songs to her and even now at 28, graduated college and married, he still dedicates songs to her. Absolutely amazing.”
And another fan commented: “My parents passed away 2 years apart when I was younger, and now I am a father of 4 children 14 and under, and this song really hits me differently. Parents, please let your kids know you love them because one day you may not have the opportunity to say it again or hear it from them again.”