The Death of Slim Shady & The Rebirth of Eminem Begins on May 31

If you think your dad is technologically challenged, Eminem didn’t understand the internet in the early days of piracy and thought Yahoo was a person—detailed in the new documentary How Music Got Free. In other news today:

• Billboard Hot 100 📈 

• The death of Slim Shady & the rebirth of Eminem 🤔 

• Diddy’s backlash for surveillance video goes beyond social media ❌ 

• Vince Staples builds on his Netflix success with new album 💿️ 

• Discover new music with the Rap Index 🔥 

• Industry Insights 🔎 

Billboard Hot 100

The above chart shows Billboard’s Hot 100 ranking for this week. The Hot 100 ranks songs based on streaming activity, radio airplay audience impressions, and sales data—all measured by Luminate.

Post Malone and Morgan Wallen have taken over the #1 spot, pushing Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” to #2 and Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby” to #3. Kendrick’s “euphoria” reverts from #3 to #11 again, and Drake’s “Family Matters” drops from a #7 debut to #19.

The Death of Slim Shady & The Rebirth of Eminem Begins on May 31

Eminem continues to tease his new album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), with a cryptic video. Posted on Instagram, the video is a text to “all contacts” that reads “ And for my last trick!” dated May 31 at 12 am. 

The album, which was first announced by Dr. Dre during an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, has no official release date but fans are speculating that the video is hinting at the first single.

Eminem, true to his style of brash lyricism, is taking a satirical approach to this album rollout. The theme of Slim Shady’s death was announced last month in a video teaser that mimicked the style of a true crime documentary. 

In the clip, a reporter ominously spoke about the death of Eminem’s 2000s alter ego, “Through his complex and oft-criticized, tongue-twisting rhymes, the anti-hero known as Slim Shady has had no shortage of enemies.”

50 Cent also made a cameo to speak on Slim’s character, saying, “He’s not a friend, he’s a psychopath.” The duo’s real-life friendship (50 Cent recently attended the wedding of Eminem’s daughter Hailie) and the teaser appearance suggest 50 Cent might be featured on the album. 

Heavy on nostalgia, 50 Cent and Eminem haven’t collaborated together since 2009’s Relapse, and Dr. Dre’s production (previously confirmed to be on the album) was as important to their era of hip-hop as BBL Drizzy and Metro’s drums are important to your fyp.

Backlash From Diddy’s Apology Video Goes Beyond Social Media

Shortly before 1 PM ET on May 17, CNN published a 2016 surveillance video showing Sean “Diddy” Combs physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie. 

Opinions quickly circulated online, but the firing squad of the internet isn’t the worst repercussion Combs is facing as politicians have now entered the chat. Find out everything that’s happened below.

First comes the video, then comes the apology

In the surveillance video, Combs is seen punching, kicking, and dragging Ventura during an altercation at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles. The footage corroborates Ventura’s accusations of abuse in her lawsuit against Diddy, which was settled in November 2023.

On May 19, two days after the 2016 footage was released, Combs issued an apology video on his Instagram account. 

Recording his statement from his phone, Combs stated, “It's so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you gotta do that…I was f***ked up. I hit rock bottom. But I make no excuses. My behavior in that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video."

Key to New York may be revoked

Along with receiving negative responses to his apology on social media, Combs is facing ridicule from the biggest names in politics and pop culture – even from his home court in New York.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that he and a committee are considering revoking Comb’s key to the city, which was given last year. 

“I think all of us were deeply disturbed by watching that chilling video of the young lady being assaulted by him. The committee has never rescinded a key before, but we are now sitting down to see what the next steps forward are going to be,” Adams said.

Apology called out as disingenuous

Combs was also named the “Donkey of the Day” on The Breakfast Club’s May 20 episode, and Peloton removed all of his music from future classes.

“You would still be lying to us right now if there was no video. You didn’t even apologize to Cassie in the video. Nor did you apologize for lying that you didn’t do what you knew you was on tape doing. So who is this apology for? I’ll tell you who it was for: Diddy’s ego,” Charlamagne Tha God said during the segment.

To correct Charlamagne, TMZ reported that Diddy couldn’t legally say Cassie’s name due to the NDAs signed during the settlement. These NDAs bar both of them from speaking about each other publicly.

Charlamagne’s opinion summarizes a landslide of reactions to the apology, highlighting the contradiction between the video and Combs’ earlier statements denying wrongdoing. 

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on May 17 said that the 2016 footage had passed the statute of limitations for Combs to be prosecuted. Nevertheless, opinions and attitudes towards Combs are changing.

Vince Staples Builds on Netflix Success With New Album

The funniest rapper in the game, as nominated by X (formerly Twitter), is releasing a new album. Vince Staples announced in an Instagram post that his next album will arrive on May 24 and will also mark his final release with Def Jam Recordings.

Titled Dark Times, the album will feature thirteen tracks including “Shame On The Devil,” a new song with a music video out on YouTube. It will follow Staples’ 2022 critically acclaimed Ramona Park Broke My Heart album.

“Eleven years ago, a young, uncertain version of myself was given an opportunity with Def Jam Recordings. I released my first project under their banner, Shyne Coldchain Vol 2, a year later,” Staples said in the announcement post’s caption.

“I was unsure of what to expect from the world of music but deeply aware of what I needed: a change in my surroundings and a clear understanding of self. Ten years and seven projects later, I’ve found that clarity.”

“The funniest n—a yk don’t even b joking”

Aside from trending for his album announcement, Staples has been the topic of conversation on X for his comedic chops. Responding to the prompt below, clips from Staples’ appearances on shows such as KennyBeats’ The Cave and 360 with Speedy Morman have taken over social media this past weekend.

His deadpan delivery of blunt, thought-provoking statements makes it hard to discern if Staples’ humor is intentional or a side effect of his seriousness. Nevertheless, it’s partially why he’s been getting his flowers for his own Netflix series, The Vince Staples Show, released in February 2024. 

The show, starring and co-created by Staples, focuses on him navigating the ups and downs of his life in his hometown of Long Beach, California. With the first season only having five episodes, fans have been calling for a series renewal with more to binge. 

It’s unclear if Staples will focus on music or film after this next album, but from his beloved sense of wry humor to his unique style of music, it seems like his pop culture impact is just getting started.

The Rap Index ft. Homixide Gang, Veeze, Dom Corleo, ian & More

The Rap Index is a way to follow and discover new music. Divided into 4 categories describing rap subgenres, songs are placed according to their style and sound—giving you a better idea of what songs will appeal to your musical taste. Only releases from the previous New Music Friday are included to help keep you up to date.

RapTV’s Ranking of Rap Index Songs

1. “Duh duh duh” by Dom Corleo, Veeze (Listen on Spotify)

2. “Need You Around” by A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Fridayy (Listen on Spotify)

3. “R50” by Homixide Gang (Listen on Spotify)

4. “Never Stop” by ian (Listen on Spotify)

5. “Win Wit Us” by 42 Dugg (Listen on Spotify)

6. “Fuck Around & Find Out” by Key Glock (Listen on Spotify)

7. “Don’t be dishonest” by wolfacejoeyy (Listen on Spotify)

8. “Everything Lit” by Sheff G (Listen on Spotify)

• Kendrick Lamar is set to buy a $40M USD mansion in Los Angeles. Marking one of the city’s most expensive property purchases of 2024 so far.

• A new documentary traces how piracy overhauled the music industry. How Music Got Free takes viewers back to the early aughts with interviews from Eminem, 50 Cent, and more.

• Scarlett Johansson claims OpenAI mimicked her voice for ChatGPT after she declined their offer. Her lawyers demand that OpenAI disclose how they developed their AI assistant voice.

Like sports? 🏀 🏈 Get up-to-date analysis and unique insight that’s actually interesting to read with the Playmaker Newsletter.