Early Friday morning (Jan. 17), Eminem surprised fans with a new album titled Music To Be Murdered By. Spanning across 20 tracks, the record includes features from Royce Da 5’9”, Joel Ortiz, Anderson .Paak, Black Thought, Q-Tip, Young M.A., Ed Sheeran, a posthumous verse from Juice WRLD and more.
Quickly following up the surprise project, Em also delivered its first visual offering—a gun control-advocating “Darkness” video, which replicates the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting. The six-minute clip follows Stephen Paddock, who opened fire on a crowd at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival, killing 58 attendees and then himself.
“Finger on the trigger, but I’m a licensed owner/ With no prior convictions, so loss, the sky’s the limit/ So my supplies infinite, strapped like I’m a soldier,” Em spits about the shooter.
The clip ends with the “Not Afraid” rapper staring at TV screens depicting coverage of numerous mass shootings, before he finally urges viewers to register to vote.
Fans flocked to Twitter on Friday (Jan. 17) to react to both the disturbing video and surprise album.
“Wow. Eminem really went all out spreading the message to use your voice if you don’t like what’s happening in America,” one fan tweeted about “Darkness.” “Great track with an amazing message. Also shoutout to [Royce Da 5’9”] for the production. The beat fits perfectly with the mood and message of the song.”
“[Eminem’s] new album is thought provoking and [lit],” another wrote. “That’s it. That’s all you need to know.”
However, other Twitter users weren’t feeling Slim Shady’s latest release.
“This Eminem album is not for me,” one fan tweeted. I’m sorry but he’s 47 and it’s 2020, saying the things he’s saying on this is just cringe now. The shock value just doesn’t hit anymore like it used to. That’s what eminem just doesn’t seem to understand. I’m sorry. Some decent cuts on there tho.
The Detroit-bred rapper also received criticism from Ariana Grande fans for a line that alluded to the 2017 suicide bombing that took place at her Manchester Arena concert.
Music To Be Murdered By follows Eminem’s 2018 LP Kamikaze and a short-lived track war with Nick Cannon from last year.
Find more Twitter reactions to the record below.