Elton did more than give Eminem a forum Wednesday night. By his presence, he gave credence to the idea that the Western World will survive in spite of hip-hop. I was amazed at Eminem's lyrics when I first read them, just like most people. I just couldn't connect with that anger- especially that song "Kim" where he's screaming about knifing his ex-wife. He's quite explicit about enjoying the imaginary sight of her bleeding. I guess this hip-hop world is all about exaggerating the world's nightmares. It's not for me but then, it's not reflecting my culture. The sad thing about hip-hop is that it even alienates eclectic music fans like me. I can listen to country. I can listen to jazz, and folk, and soul, and R&B, and rock, and classical, and native Americans, and pop. I just can't handle rap. Or polka. :) I had heard 'Stan', Eminem's choice for the broadcast, before. (Is it now okay to use four letter words on national TV? Why didn't they use a delay if they're putting him on? Why didn't he change a few words? I'm not really offended by those words, but I mean, is hip-hop exempt from the rules everyone else has to follow?) "Stan" is an atypical Eminem song 'cause the last "verse" explodes the anger that the first few verses set up. For those who aren't familiar, the first verses are a series of increasingly desperate and angry "letters" from a fan to a star. In the fan's last verse, he kills his girlfriend (a recurring theme on the album) and himself by driving off a bridge. Eminem observes ironically that the fan's last missive (apparently a cassette) will not be mailed to the star. Elton did a great job on the choruses. Finally, the star responds to his fan's letters with assurance and support. The star admits he isn't sure if his fan is also the guy who committed the murder/suicide so the listener clucks at the irony. It's not a great lyric but it's not totally dunder-headed either. Is he saying that no one's to blame? I don't think so. I think Eminem is saying that there's no escape from anger. That it's a one-way trip. I wonder where he'll go now that his career has exceeded his anger...... What does a happy, wealthy, successful rapper rap about? Lacking the sophistication of his elders, during his acceptance speech he pitched the title and month of his next release, twice. Hip-hop is about breaking the rules and I guess pitching your "product" from an awards lectern is just the latest example. So Elton gets high marks for embracing a homophobic artist and Eminem gets mixed marks for effectively conveying a bleak subculture albeit with a lack of grace. My two cents. Lama
