Sunday, October 31, 2004

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS: Eminem's Mosh

Eminem is an arrogant, violent, misogynistic, homophobic, scrawny, foul-mouthed son of a bitch. While I acknowledge that he's a talented rapper, his music owes everything to a true hip-hop talent, Dr. Dre. Eminem is a hack. There's nobody I'd like to beat up more than Marshall Mathers.

Now having said all that about him, I want to praise his latest song and video, "Mosh." Here are a few words from ZNet about it:

Instead, he releases a rousing call to arms for the hip hop generation to take back the government that seeks to represent them. He even proclaims himself their leader. Surprise indeed.

With "Mosh," Eminem ... the most polarizing musician of our times ... takes on the most polarizing election of our times.

In the video, Eminem leads a mob fired up and politicized by four years of outrage and anger at the Bush administration. Clad in black hoodies, fists raised, the angry young men and women descend on a state building ... to vote.

Chunky black-and-white illustrated figures on a moody, sepia-toned landscape play out the frustration and angst of a generation. One young Iraq veteran returns home, to be met by his wife and children and a notice of reassignment; "Fuck Bush" is the accompanying lyric he spits out. Then he dons a black hoodie and joins the mob. A single mother comes home, groceries in hand, and opens an eviction notice while news of a tax cut for the rich plays on the television ... she dons a black hoodie and joins the mob.

Click here for the rest.

Indeed, this is one fucking great song, and the video is even greater. I'm glad that the white haired one has finally found some gainful employment.

Really, this is damned cool. And fortunately, it's online. Click here for the video link and director's notes. Check it out right now! No, really, go check it out NOW! This is one of the most rousing call-to-arms I've encountered in my entire life.

I can't believe I'm gushing about Slim Shady. But as Shakespeare said in The Tempest, "Misery accquaints a man with strange bedfellows." So true, so true. I guess I'll be wearing my black hoodie to the polls come Tuesday.

What a weird, weird world we live in.

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