Avg Rating: 
4.7 ( 288 total votes )
Eminem - Not Afraid
Artist: Eminem
Producer: Boi-1da (Co-Prod. by Jordan Evans, Matthew Burnett & Eminem)
Album: Recovery
Label: Shady/Aftermath/Interscope
What do Amy Winehouse, Tiger Woods, and Nicole Richie all have in common? That’s right – they’re all Eminem fans, and, like most of us, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say they’re addicted to Mr. Mathers’ rhymes. But who would want to quit? Especially now that Eminem is done relapsing, is working on his “recovery” and is Not Afraid to talk about his own struggle with addiction (we can only hope Ms. Winehouse someday follows suit). Over Boi-1da’s minimalist beat and a sheet of airy melodies that scream “I’m back” louder than T.I.’s last Booth feature, Em holds back just a little from the unbridled aggression that has become a hallmark of his recent undertakings and gets personal. After speaking about his achievements, place in the game, family values and of course his sobriety, Eminem uses the hook to try to uplift others who may be finding themselves in a similarly dark place. Not Afraid is the first single off Eminem’s forthcoming album Relapse 2
Recovery, set to drop June 22. Be sure to mark your calendars.
This song first appeared on the
Top Hip Hop / R&B Chart
on May 3, 2010
Listen to More: Eminem , Music Videos, Hitmaker Written by Matty K
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Member Reviews and Ratings
Showing 50 of 288 Ratings. See All Ratings
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 11856 |
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It is utterly refreshing to hear that the lead single off a Marshall album (finally) averts away from that silly sing-songy format. Em shows much growth, sophistication, and maturity on this record. Oh, and he also kills it.
Boi-1da gets mad props for the beat placement. It isn't the most compelling work he's done, but it suits Em's flow very very well. I am a huge huge fan of "Not Afraid." ** After 5 more listens, I changed this from a 4 to 5. 
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| Posted on Apr 29, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 127 |
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In my opinion, this song reminds me of the song "Beautiful" on Relapse. That's probaly the only song on that album it can be compared to. This is the Eminem I've been waiting to hear. I definately think this is better than every single song on Relapse. This has me really pumped for Recovery.
Boi-1da's production was pretty good as well. Hes been producing pretty hot tracks recently. @DJ Z I don't see how this can't be some of Boi-1da's most compelling material. What else would be? |
| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 178 |
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 This is the best song I have heard from Em in a while. Relapse was good, but this song is not as dark yet so much more powerful. I feel like some of his music gets too dark for the average person to understand, but this song everyone can relate to in some way.
The hook is crazy and his verses? Is there any question. He is the best lyricist in the game (sorry Wayne). This really is a powerful song and is something you can listen to and get amped up about. If this is any indication of what Recovery will be like, it could be something special. |
| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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He still got it he can still rap
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 433 |
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I am now officially more excited for "Recovery" than I was for "Relapse". I wasn't sure how to feel about Em going with the new producers, but it seems with this I have nothing to fear. I honestly can't wait for this album, and this could be one of the best hip-hop songs I have heard all year.
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 639 |
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Props to Boi-1da for this beat!!
Nothing spectacular persay but the simple beat really gives the opportunity for Em to really showcase his flow and lyrics!! You can hear the emotion in this track!! Relapse was more of a "having fun" type album and i'm thinking Recovery is gonna be a more serious Em album!! |
| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 455 |
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No one ever doubted Em's ability to rap. His "despicable" freestyle was fire.
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 4267 |
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Though this song is only a first step in the process of "Recovery", it definitely provides a more solid foundation to take off from than "Relapse". It proves to be a departure from jokey lead-singles, containing little of Eminem's "sense of fun", instead opting for a greater lyrical bite and a greater sense of overall purpose. That being said, the song simply don't have enough instrumental meat on the bones. 3.5
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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This is one of Em's greatest songs he's ever done. Top 3 if not top 5. There's so much going on, from admitting past errors, and his sheer determination to triumph. And he said he drove those accents into the ground and is never going back. Literally, by the end of the track, I feel like following him into battle. No homo. This song pushes Em way past everyone else in the greatest rapper alive discussion. He's in a whole new category of greatness.
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 74 |
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Em is so much better when he's putting out real shit instead of that comedy stuff. Not saying all of those tracks were bad but I think we're all kind of tired of them. This is the stuff we want to hear Em doing.
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 133 |
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I was waiting for this angry passive aggressive Eminem...but he never came. Instead a lighter side with the same passion came through my speakers and I'm a sucker for it. After hearing his lonely aggressive verse on B.o.B.'s Airplane's (which a few booth members criticized that his hard delivery seemed out of place), I am a little surprised to hear this lonely introvert ask people to join him in his Recovery. I love me a pissed off Eminem but this slightly elevated Em is a welcome play on my itunes. The song is laced with bars that just hit ya over and over again. The beat is a head bobber and the hook is on point.
He completely takes ownership for his short comings and shouts out his fans in a bigger way than on a CD Booklet. This is a good look for Em not sure about the singing Em but he doesn't exceed that nauseated limit. He gives me his all and as a fan that's all I can ask for. |
| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 23 |
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WOW! Eminem is BACK! This sounds better than pretty much every song (except Beautiful) on Relapse. I'm actually excited for Recovery.
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 306 |
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dj brookllen no doubt this is one of the best em tracks ive heard for awhile and its inspirational as @*#$!.
EM goes in on this and comes out with a hit, after getting on some features he has built a storm that was lacking the rain and here it is, its mad fire, its crazy and its deep (all original EM) im glad him and T.I are back this is definitly gonna be a good year for hip-hop tight tight tight (CLASSICCC) |
| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 8279 |
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Em is Back! First the sick freestyle and now this Sick Single! The best lyricist is BACK! Thank goodness...
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 432 |
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This is definitely a nice change of style for Eminem. It seems like he feels comfortable enough to show a little more artistic creativity on this project. This isn't quite classic, but it is great to hear.
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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This song is sick, classic em can't wait for the new album.
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 9 |
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Classic would be an understatement. I LOVE it when artists, whether it be musicians, athletes, actors, ect, totally refocus and rededicate themselves to the art form they love. I barely heard this on the radio twenty minutes ago, and literally got chills running through my body. You know someone is great, when they're words can inspire you, and totally change the direction of your day. I'm glad to say the old Em' is back, and maybe even better than before. No more of that bizarre sh** he has been putting out the last couple of years. Ranks very close to "Lose Yourself" as the top Eminem track ever. Damn, this is a good year for Hip-Hop, it's about time.
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 73 |
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Great thing to hear Eminem admit that his last album was trash...he's finally going back to making songs he pours his soul into instead of just making songs to make the album cut. I'm glad to hear this from him. 4 stars
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 64 |
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When I heard this song I was astonished how Eminem changed. I was expecting something close to his despicable freestyle but it was different and more uplifting which he usually doesn't do. When he said he changed the name because it was different from the first Relapse he really meant it. I'm definitely going to buy the Recovery album when it comes out.
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1191 |
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Easily the most enjoyable track ive heard Em drop in some time. No offence to Dr. Dre, but it is great to hear Em finally get away from his old school production... who called for the need for that? ME! (check my comments on the Relapse album).
Lyrically, Em has been killing it when he stays away from the comedy. Its good to see him make a lead single like this instead of a track like 'We Made You' 4.5 Sidenote: Apparently Maino was the original owner of Boi-1da's board work |
| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 188 |
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YES Em this is what we need
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1344 |
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This is leaps and bounds better than everything on Relapse! Very uplifting, while still as dark as any other Eminem track.
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 4 |
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"Lift the whole liquor counter up cuz I'm raising the bar" - Yes indeed, Em, yes indeed. The track is not something I would have chosen but I like how it doesn't get in the way and is just enough to make u feel this joint as a complete song. Dope
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 53 |
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This is pure greatness right here. Eminem baked a fresh new pie and damn, it tastes good. 5 stars boiiii.
Good beat, compares to Beautiful. And hopefully, Recovery becomes the album that everybody expected it to be. |
| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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this is why his name will always be mentioned amongst the greatest rappers
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 484 |
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I'M SO EXCITED FOR THIS ALBUM!!!!! Eminem came hard on this track, glad to hear that he's not gonna use that ridiculous accent anymore :)
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 736 |
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SICK LYRICS, NASTY WORDPLAY, GOOD BEAT, MEANINGFUL HOOK. CLASSIC. i'll be waiting for the album to drop... but on the other hand i thought Dr. Dre was suppose to drop his first single already???!?!?!
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2949 |
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I can see why most people have rated this so highly, because it is exactly what this man deserves, inspiring song
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 394 |
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Eminem is back and that's something we should all get used to if we havn't already. I do not think he should be represented as best alive because he was out a few years and he hasn't the number of tracks that wayne or jay-z has in their career. He's not featured on a lot of tracks and I don't think he can be as versatile. Give him a few years then most definitely. This track is a banger indeed and his flow is great with the production. Not the best Em I've ever heard but well done. It's a 4 stars for me just cause I wasn't utterly blown away but I sure do dig it. Great to see Em always with new stuff.
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 407 |
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I just refreshed the page and saw that DJ Z changed his rating from a 4 to a 5 haha...nice one Z glad you listenened to it again and again!
But I can't even begin to explain how I feel about this song because well I was left speechless after I heard this. You had to have known Em was gunna bring his best after dropping bombs on "Forever", "Drop The World", "Airplanes Pt. 2" , and his freestlye "Despicable" I am so happy that he is going away from the weird Shady that was all throughout Relapse and now we have the real Marshall Eminem Mathers that the true fans have been waiting for. I hope Recovery is filled with the stuff like this and his fire spittin lyrical flow. As for "Not Afraid"....this is one of his best tracks I have ever heard minus the little singing part after the second verse. He brings his uplifting hook along with an accompanying production that really gets you to listen to what he is saying. He lyrically killed this and you truly have no choice to believe everything Em is rapping about. This is the classic Em we've been waiting for and you only knew it was a matter of time before he came back...He's definately "Not Afraid"....and I'm ready for Recovery!! |
| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 31 |
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! SLIM SHADY Is Back BaBii && GentleMAN ! :]
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 7 |
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Eminem is defenately back now. Hot track, nicee beat, em got off wit the flow i mean wat more do u want???? dis is a hot track period.
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 76 |
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Oh my.
Everybody, take Em's hand. You're not alone. It channels Beautiful, but takes it one step further. It's not hype. This track is real. Bobby Ray, I'm sure Em didn't mean to steal your thunder the week of your album release, but it happens. He's back folks. Get ready. |
| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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sick as song !
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 242 |
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Ok umma rate two ways in my ignorant way, and in my mature way.
Ignorant way: JL:SAKJF:LAKJWF:LKNMXFV<?>MXZlvkj;sladifj;alsdkfj EMINEM IS BACK EMINEM FTW OMFG :LSJKDFJ:LSKEF/a Mature way: This track is flawless, never thought bo1-da would produce for em, but nothin is impossible. This one song>>>>>>>>>>Relapse |
| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 20 |
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This the Eminem we know, the one that we all grew up with. This track is sick and one of the best songs I have seen in a long time in the booth. Finally some quality Rap again!
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 19 |
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Great song to choose to be the first Single for Recovery. The Beat is simple but still goes really good with eminems flow.
Eminem sounds the best with just simple beats like that. he kills it. cant wait for recovery.the Hook will be stuck in my head for a while. |
| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 181 |
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HE'S THE TRUTH IN THE BOOTH... PLAIN & SIMPLE!!!
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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this song is off the charts, Em killed it. The beat is sick.
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 172 |
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what do u want me to say,that this track is amazing and eminem is back on his shit,well thats exactly what am going to say eminem is back and this time he means business you all can expect his recovery album to be the best of the year..... end of story
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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WOW
he's back!!! |
| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 198 |
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dis is classic material rite here
@DJ Z i wasnt gona say nuthin but y am i not residential dj yet? i jus seen members who i feel leave great commentz dont get me wrong i aint hatin but i feel dat im in da same boat so @DJ Z wutz up? |
| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 2476 |
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If I'm not mistaken, Recovery is now the first album in Eminem history whose lead single wasn't some funny/zany track. Even Relapse lead off with We Made You.
Em's never been afraid to reveal his true self, and here he's really taking it to another level. The track is absolutely gripping, a near classic. I know I'm gonna get heat for this, but I have to be real. The only thing holding it back from a classic for me is the hook. Eminem can't sing, he just can't, and while it works in small doses, it's just too much here. I would have loved to heard him grab someone else for vocal duties (maybe Lyfe Jennings?). Small complaint amongst a sea of dopeness. Can't wait for Recovery. Ah f**k it, I'll give it a classic anyway.
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Eminem is back thank God and he hasnt lost a touch...
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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THA SHIT
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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I cant even say anything thats how much i loved this track.
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| Posted on Apr 30, 2010 |
Showing 50 of 288 Ratings. See All Ratings
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