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Eminem Pays Homage To His 'Beautiful' City

Posted Thu Jul 2, 2009 2:05pm PDT by Billy Johnson, Jr. in Hip-Hop Media Training

Eminem puts his controversial antics on the back-burner for the fourth single from his "Relapse" album which has already sold more than 1 million copies since its May 19 release.

The video for his new record "Beautiful" spotlights his hometown of Detroit. It opens with a historical statement about the Michigan's national ranking during an economic peak.

"In 1950, Michigan was 1 of 8 states in America that collectively produced 36% of the world's GNP," the text read.

On a second screen the message continued, "Detroit was the greatest manufacturing city in the world."

The 4-minute clip shows Eminem walking through various Michigan landmarks that once thrived but are now impoverished--Beaux-Arts train station (Michigan Central Station), the original Tiger Stadium, and the former Packard Motor Car Company plant. Each of the now dilapidated structures were built prior to 1914.

Ironically, the song lyrics are not about Detroit, but Eminem's battles with depression during his bout with an addiction for which he sought rehabilitation. He raps, "I don't know how or why or when, I ended up in this position I'm in."

In a statement released via his label, Eminem said that after overcoming his trials, he realized that the song could also be used as a metaphor.

"Tiger Stadium is being torn down, and the train station is supposed to be demolished too," Eminem said. "This video is one of the last times anybody outside of Detroit is going to see them."

Eminem added, "['Beautiful'] is a reminder to keep your head up, and to see who you really are despite what you may be going through. Now that I've gotten through the toughest part, I see how the song relates to Detroit, and it feels even more powerful."


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1335 Comments

61. Gine -
WOW THE WIDEO IS AWESOME LIKE THE SONG THIS MAN INSPIRES ME! I LOVE TOO DEATH!! I'M LIKE SO IN LOVE WITH HIM. I TOTALY LIKE UNDERSTAND HIM.

62. SarahP -
this vid made me like cry

63. Kat -
"...forth single..."? Really? Fire this writer!

64. Elaine -
Wonderful true-to-life. Thanks, Eminem!!!!

65. Jose Luis -
THIS VIDEO IS AMAZING I DON'T HAVE WORDS TO DESCRIBE IT

66. Yahoo! Music User -
I'v listened to this song over and over. I'm so happy that Eminem made a video for this song :)

67. Yahoo! Music User -
Truly a hot video. Keep up the good work Eminem.

68. BART -
all i can say is he is trying his hardest but alot of peaople dont
see that like did u see the move awords he dos not dozerv that
thats way hes alwas mad.

69. Jermaine -
song is highly diffrent and he need to step it up more"holla"

70. LaVonne -
i love your music, you are awesome!!! the new albulm is great too!keep doin what you do

71. BAD -
THIS IS SOME SERIOUS LYRICS............BIG UP.........M!

72. RealPersonRealOutlook -
I like us: http://www.myspace.com/nizeentertainment

Rap Fan??? The lyrics from first verse on MY ADVICE @ http://www.indiecharts.com/nizeentertainment is sick.

73. Tracey -
i am a huge eminem fan and think that this really is one of the best songs that he really has come out with.
love the video clip aswell.
Way to marshall.

74. Kris -
One of his greatest songs ever written. God bless Detroit. The metaphor between the city and his life is pure genius, makes a ton of sense.

Eminem, glad you're back, claim that crown friend, 'cause the music these days is going down the tubes.

75. Walnaye -
Eminem Put Outs Some Thought Provoking Music/Videos.

76. tony -
I just love Eminem , he's just the greatest

77. Natasha -
well i LOVE it

78. Natasha -
hellllllo eminem

79. Frances -
I love em and can't wait to see more!

80. Sharp -
Eminem has never made a bad video in my opinion he critics can say what they want about his past videos and even Bill O'riely can redicual him about his remark to Sarah Palin. BUT I DARE ANYONE to find something to pick apart in this video it hits home for us who live in Michigan and the Detroit area, this will go down as one of his greatest videos of all time THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
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