Rap-Up.com was at the Activision E3 party to catch Eminem perform cuts off his forthcoming Recovery album. Em belted out “Won’t Back Down” (which features in the Call Of Duty Black Ops game), “Lose Yourself,” “Not Afraid” and his collaboration with Rihanna, “Love The Way You Lie.” But unlike Pink, whose vocals appear on “Won’t Back Down,” RiRi was actually on hand at the Staples Center gig to sing the chorus on “Love The Way You Lie.” Watch after the jump.
Rihanna wasn’t Slim’s only guest, though—Travis Barker also appeared and banged the skins throughout the set. In addition to Eminem, Activision’s shindig boasted Usher, David Guetta, N.E.R.D., Deadmau5, Chris Cornell, Jane’s Addiction and will.i.am on the roster. The 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo kicks off today at the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown L.A.
It was reported by MTV yesterday that the release date for Eminem’s Recovery has been bumped up by one day, to June 21.
Below: the trailer for Call Of Duty Black Ops, which features Eminem and Pink’s “Won’t Back Down.”
Uhm, David Cornell? I think you mean Chris Cornell…. he performed Black Hole Sun. David? Really? Come on….
I Love The Way You Lie
song by Eminem with Rihanna
…Just gonna stand there, And watch me burn
But that’s alright, Because I like The way it hurts
Just gonna stand there, And hear me cry
But that’s alright, Because I love The way you lie
I love the way you lie
I love you too much, To walk away though
Come inside, Pick up your bags off the sidewalk
Don’t you hear sincerity, In my voice when I talk
Told you this is my fault, Look me in the eyeball
Next time I’m pissed
I’ll aim my fist, At the dry wall
Next time, There will be no next time
I apologize, Even though I know it’s lies
I’m tired of the games, I just want her back
I know I’m a liar
If she ever tries to f**king leave again
I’mma tie her to the bed
And set the house on fire
These lyrics to the highly-charged Eminem and Rihanna duet are very disturbing.
I’d be very afraid that this powerful song would incite abusers with the idea to
murder their wife or girlfriend if they tried to leave again by setting them
on fire.
I just heard this song yesterday, June 28th. It was very upsetting. And then
today June 29th the very next day, I heard on the radio this story:
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=7526933
about a young woman’s charred body found burning on the side of the freeway
in Los Angeles County, a college town called Claremont. If this was a case of
an abuser taking it too far, do you think Eminem and the music execs would feel
any guilt, remorse, desire to pull the song or issue a public apology?
Yes, this song may give abusers the idea to murder their wife or girlfriend. But should we suppress a first amendment right because it MAY cause harm? Absolutely not, the Supreme Court of the U.S. has very rarely expressed the need for the suppression of speech. (If someone were to yell “FIRE!” when there actually were no fire, the individuals words can be prosecuted) Also, there is no evidence that whoever burned the woman had ever heard the song. So to answer your question, no Eminem and Rihanna do not need to apologize, or have guilt, or remorse for creating a song that many believe to be a great song.
Afterthought. We the listeners allow songs such as these to play by enjoying and requesting them. Don’t attack the artists, the responsibility is in the hands of the listeners.