(CelebrityAccess) — On Thursday night at the stroke of midnight, rap legend Eminem surprised his fans with the release of his latest album “Kamikaze.”
While the album received zero hype before launch, Em took to Twitter to tease the release, offering a middle finger emoji and tweeting: “Tried not 2 overthink this 1… enjoy.”
The LP, his second full-length release this year, features 13 tracks and cover art that pays homage to the seminal Beastie Boys album “License To Ill.”
The album features Eminem serving as executive producer, along with his longtime collaborator Dr. Dre. Artist collaborations on “Kamikaze” include Joyner Lucas and Royce Da 5’9”, Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon and Canadian artist Jessie Reeyz.
Eminem is outspoken on the album, taking shots at everyone from politicians such as President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, to his fellows in the rap world, including the new breed such as Lil Yachty and Lil Pump.
The album has received mixed reviews, and sparked its fair share of criticism after Em dropped a homophobic slur in the track “The Fall” in which he calls rapper Tyler, The Creator “a faggot, bitch.”
Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon took to twitter to express his dismay at his part in the collaboration on the track, noting that he was not in the studio for the track.
Was not in the studio for the Eminem track… came from a session with BJ Burton and Mike Will. Not a fan of the message, it’s tired. Asked them to change the track, wouldn’t do it. Thanks for listening to BRM https://t.co/E0wmt732ty
— blobtower (@blobtower) August 31, 2018
He later qualified his comments with a nod to Eminem’s..well, eminence.
Eminem is one of the best rappers of all time , there is no doubt. I have and will respect that. Tho, this is not the time to criticize Youth, it’s the time to listen. To act. It is certainly not the time for slurs. Wish they would have listened when we asked them to change it
— blobtower (@blobtower) August 31, 2018
