Role Model (song)
Encyclopedia
"Role Model" is a rap song by Eminem
on his second studio album
The Slim Shady LP
. The song also appears on Curtain Call: The Hits
bonus disc Stan's Mixtape. Eminem claimed the song is essentially about suicide, which may be mocking his own experiences in 1996. During the song, he also mocks unsuitable role models, who people will mimic regardless of the things they do. Released as a single in 1999, following "Guilty Conscience
", a music video was made, using the heavily censored radio edit. It became a minor hit on US charts.
claim that Eminem ghostwrites LL Cool J's
raps by jokingly accusing Canibus of not writing his own raps. The radio edit goes further into this situation with the line "six mics in The Source
- they borrowed one from LL's arm."
In the song, Eminem says "How can I be white, I don't even exist..." mentioning early on controversy as he struggled to gain notice in a predominantly African American
industry.
," directed by Dr. Dre
and Phillip G. Atwell. The opening of the song, where Eminem announces he's going to attempt to drown himself and the audience should follow him, is left out, but is acted out in a silent movie
style. After someone introduces, Eminem he proceeds to attempt a Houdini
-like escape trick from being held under water. After that there are scenes of Eminem performing live at a concert, acting as a priest (who sits awkwardly with a young churchgoer in a bedroom and later with a prostitute), a police officer arresting someone for possession, a Norman Bates-like man and a cartoon superhero
-type character beating up Foghorn Leghorn. At the end of the video, the escape trick fails and Eminem drowns.
The video edit is edited differently than on the edited version of The Slim Shady LP. The edited version on The Slim Shady LP just backmasks, while the video edit changes the lyrics at some points, while replacing others with sound effects. A director's cut also exists, which is edited to the uncensored version of the song. Changes include the blood being added to Eminem as he confesses to killing Nicole Brown Simpson
, adding certain segments of Eminem as a priest with the child, editing the scene where Eminem disappears differently, and Eminem with a shovel while saying "I never meant to hit you over the head with the shovel". The Foghorn Leghorn-inspired character is also now flipping Eminem the bird with his tail feathers.
This track also has a controversy against another rapper named "Canibus" in the beginning. And Hillary Clinton, which Eminem goes against her and says "Hillary Clinton tried to slap me and call me a pervert, I took her fucking tonsils out and fed her sherbert" which she wanted to sue but later issued. Eminem also mention the Underground rapper Cage
in the line "Cause when I drop this solo shit it's over with I bought Cage's tape, opened it, and dubbed over it"
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
on his second studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
The Slim Shady LP
The Slim Shady LP
The Slim Shady LP is the second studio album by American rapper Eminem, released on February 23, 1999. It is his major-label debut, and was released under Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, and Web Records....
. The song also appears on Curtain Call: The Hits
Curtain Call: The Hits
Curtain Call: The Hits is a 2005 greatest hits compilation album by American rapper Eminem. It collects Eminem's most popular songs, as well as four new tracks; a live version of "Stan" featuring Elton John from the 43rd Grammy Awards, plus new songs "Fack", "When I'm Gone" and "Shake That"...
bonus disc Stan's Mixtape. Eminem claimed the song is essentially about suicide, which may be mocking his own experiences in 1996. During the song, he also mocks unsuitable role models, who people will mimic regardless of the things they do. Released as a single in 1999, following "Guilty Conscience
Guilty Conscience
"Guilty Conscience" is a song released in 1999 by rap artist Eminem featuring his mentor, Dr. Dre. It was the third single from his major label debut album, The Slim Shady LP, also released in 1999...
", a music video was made, using the heavily censored radio edit. It became a minor hit on US charts.
Lyrical content
Eminem makes fun of Canibus'Canibus
Germaine Williams , better known by his stage name Canibus, is a Jamaican-born American rapper. He is a part of supergroup The HRSMN. Canibus rose to fame in the mid-nineties...
claim that Eminem ghostwrites LL Cool J's
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
raps by jokingly accusing Canibus of not writing his own raps. The radio edit goes further into this situation with the line "six mics in The Source
The Source (magazine)
The Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical, behind United Kingdom-based publication Hip Hop Connection. The Source was founded as a newsletter in 1988...
- they borrowed one from LL's arm."
In the song, Eminem says "How can I be white, I don't even exist..." mentioning early on controversy as he struggled to gain notice in a predominantly African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
industry.
Music video
The video is a darker comedic offering than "My Name IsMy Name Is
"My Name Is" is a song by Eminem released in 1999. It is the debut single overall from his major label debut album, The Slim Shady LP. The song was ranked at #26 on "VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 90's". "My Name Is" also was ranked #6 on Q Magazine's "1001 Best Songs Ever"...
," directed by Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
and Phillip G. Atwell. The opening of the song, where Eminem announces he's going to attempt to drown himself and the audience should follow him, is left out, but is acted out in a silent movie
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
style. After someone introduces, Eminem he proceeds to attempt a Houdini
Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-born American magician and escapologist, stunt performer, actor and film producer noted for his sensational escape acts...
-like escape trick from being held under water. After that there are scenes of Eminem performing live at a concert, acting as a priest (who sits awkwardly with a young churchgoer in a bedroom and later with a prostitute), a police officer arresting someone for possession, a Norman Bates-like man and a cartoon superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
-type character beating up Foghorn Leghorn. At the end of the video, the escape trick fails and Eminem drowns.
The video edit is edited differently than on the edited version of The Slim Shady LP. The edited version on The Slim Shady LP just backmasks, while the video edit changes the lyrics at some points, while replacing others with sound effects. A director's cut also exists, which is edited to the uncensored version of the song. Changes include the blood being added to Eminem as he confesses to killing Nicole Brown Simpson
Nicole Brown Simpson
Nicole Brown Simpson was a former wife of professional football player O. J. Simpson.- Relationship with O. J. Simpson :...
, adding certain segments of Eminem as a priest with the child, editing the scene where Eminem disappears differently, and Eminem with a shovel while saying "I never meant to hit you over the head with the shovel". The Foghorn Leghorn-inspired character is also now flipping Eminem the bird with his tail feathers.
This track also has a controversy against another rapper named "Canibus" in the beginning. And Hillary Clinton, which Eminem goes against her and says "Hillary Clinton tried to slap me and call me a pervert, I took her fucking tonsils out and fed her sherbert" which she wanted to sue but later issued. Eminem also mention the Underground rapper Cage
Cage
Cage may refer to:* Cage , a structure made of mesh, bars or wires, used to confine, contain or protect something. Examples include:** Batting cage, an enclosure for baseball players to practice batting...
in the line "Cause when I drop this solo shit it's over with I bought Cage's tape, opened it, and dubbed over it"
Track listing
12"Charts
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... ) |
11 |