Eminem’s surprise album Kamikaze has gone straight to No.1 on iTunes in the UK, a debut that’s likely to be replicated in multiple global territories.
While last year’s Revival album was teased ahead of release, Kamikaze arrived without any build-up. A low-key tweet from Eminem said: “Tried not 2 overthink this 1... enjoy.”
Tried not 2 overthink this 1... enjoy. ????#KAMIKAZE Out Now - https://t.co/ANw73KbwMt pic.twitter.com/qfQoTYBTUy
— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) August 31, 2018
Executive produced by Dr Dre and Eminem, Kamikaze features recent collaborator Royce Da 5’9, as well as Bon Iver, Jessie Reyez, Joyner Lucas and a familiar appearance from manager Paul Rosenberg. Venom is from the soundtrack to the Marvel movie starring Tom Hardy. Kendrick Lamar has a writing credit on Carousel for an interpolation.
Subjects for the rapper’s ire on Kamikaze include Donald Trump (“I empathise with the people this evil serpent sold the dream to that he’s deserted”), Mike Pence, the Grammys, Tyler, The Creator and SoundCloud rapper Lil Yachty.
Eminem also addresses the negative reaction to his previous record, though his 10th album dispenses with the features from pop artists such as Pink and Ed Sheeran on Revival.
According to the Official Charts Company, Revival has sales to date of 313,862. The rapper played two dates at Twickenham Stadium last month.
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