Deeply True, Dangerously False

Eminem is genius and pure ego.

He says all the wrong words and pushes all the right buttons.

He appeals to and resonates with the masses of angry, white suburban youth.

Why?

Because he says so.

Take, for instance, "White America," in which he claims to be leading a revolution against traditional American values:

"So to the parents of America / I am the damager [sic] aimed at little Erica / To attack her character / The ring leader of the circus of worthless pawns / Sent to lead the march right up to the steps of Congress / And p--s on the lawns of the whitehouse [sic] / To burn the casket and replace it with a parental advisory sticker / To spit liquor in the faces of this democracy of hipocracy [sic]."

Or, examine the lyrics of "Stan," in which his "biggest fan" conveys the close connection he feels with Eminem:

"See, I'm just like you in a way / I never knew my father neither / He used to always cheat on my mom and beat her / I can relate to what you're sayin' in your songs / So when I have a sh---y day, I drift away and put 'em on / Cause I don't really got sh-- else / So that sh-- helps when I'm depressed."

How about "The Real Slim Shady," in which Eminem boldly claims that he is in everyone:

"In every single person there's a Slim Shady lurkin / He could be workin at burger king, spittin on your onion rings / Or in the parking lot, circling, screamin I dont [sic] give a f--- / With his windows down and his system up."

Whereas it is true that Eminem's music is extremely accessible to people who can relate to the rough experiences he had growing up, it is important that we recognize that Eminem purposefully reinforces his connection with his audience simply by claiming it is there.

The "deeply true" part of his music consists of the harsh conditions and anger about which he raps. Many youth are troubled and have large amounts of rage festering inside of them. Eminem speaks to this like no other rapper had been able to do before him. So, this is why the music resonates with his audience.

However, there is a "deeply false" part of his music. In his lyrics, Eminem appears to believe that because he beat the system on his own, he is now capable of leading and controlling the masses of angry youth in a cultural rebellion.

Some members of the "Eminem lovers" semiotic domain are able to separate these two elements. They connect with the rough imagery, but understand that Eminem is not calling them to join in a real rebellion of any sort.

Others are unable to separate these two entities, and see Eminem as an idol of sorts. They wear the clothes he wears, dye their hair, and apply his anger to their own lives. They are like Stan in Eminem's hit song, "Stan." They think that he is larger-than-life, and that he is actually leading them to something greater than themselves...

Certainly, elements of Eminem's music would present him as a...

Messiah?