RC REVIEWS: Eminem - Darkness

[@RapCritic]

TITLE CARD ART MERCH HERE: teespring.com/darkness-episode?pid=2&cid=2397

[@Eric1738-7]

Idk if you would review this but it's a rather simple song called Grandson- Stick Up Probably not gonna make a vid bout dis but it's a rather decent song

[@brandonayong752]

We need the album review my friend

[@Sean-sm7pm]

Is this the 4th 6/5 or am I missing any?

[@RapCritic]

@@brandonayong752 Reviewed Eminem's latest album on my podcast! open.spotify.com/episode/6rYy6QqCUGdeVe2f8pdQiQ?si=cQOUpmD5QkaSfC_B4BBWWg

[@davidrausch7941]

Dude just gotta say your commentary has gotten much more "too the point" and conceptual. I'm loving it dude. I guess practice continues to make perfect

[@charliedawson6318]

_"It is my dream, that one day Black men and woman across this country will be able to review whatever Rap album they want."_ - Martin Luther King Junior

[@Timmy2Dope]

EXTREMELY overlooked quote from MLK

[@user-ti7up7hx2n]

🚫🧢

[@davidrausch7941]

Lowkey tho MLK would probably be down tho

[@keiganm1287]

- lil Martin Luther King Junior

[@Cdr2002]

@@keiganm1287someone’s gonna do that one of these days

[@PlaceboZypresse]

Rap critic went from looking like Questlove to switching to Pusha T braids

[@ceedubelu]

PTR Crispy respect.

[@judefoster2217]

Hey... Questloves in the house

[@iBEEnHEREtoo]

Questa T?

[@jeremy0828]

@@judefoster2217 questlove you not in the house

[@HRDSalami654]

In my experience talking to a lot of black guys about this you kind of have to grow your hair out like that if you want braids. Of course, take this like a grain of salt since I'm am both white and bald.

[@atrendlecalledreese443]

Thanks for not saying the shooter's name. Bastard doesn't deserve to go down in history with a name; he should only be remembered as the subhuman monster he was.

[@onemoment1355]

Something that baffles me is Eminem actually name dropped the Vegas Shooter on Kamikaze "Greatest" song for shock and is now making this just a year later.

[@nosidezero]

Truth

[@byoutifulmonster]

Stephen Paddock

[@MisterDoctorBaconman]

How does this mesh with the idea that we need to understand the cause of these issues from a human side? If we can't acknowledge the shooter as a human being how can we understand what leads human beings to act that way?

[@mychaeljones7526]

That's what the song "NOT MONSTER (Godzilla)" 🐲 was about.

[@bigsazz60]

This song seriously gives me stan vibes. Very well written and emotionally connects the listening to a sensitive topic while relating it back to his own personal experiernce. Thats the uniqueness and cleverness in his writing he can have such a well written song while still connecting with the listener and himself. As he said before rap is his own thearpy.

[@Appo1324]

"Hip-hop has always been political, yes It's the reason why this music connects" Darkness 10/10 Song

[@mariokarter13]

And yet, the political songs aren't the ones that become popular. Almost as if politics is being conflated with something else... oh yeah, rapping about your actual lived experience. Your uninformed political opinions don't become more credible just because you put a beat behind it. "Why did Bush knock down the towers?" - Jadakiss

[@joshrentos216]

That’s not true. Hip hop started as party music. Y’all need to do some research

[@DoubleKlutchRacing]

Josh Rentos most music started as a party type of music and yet most music also has been political since the beginning of their genre.

[@DoubleKlutchRacing]

mariokarter13 and why do you claim “uninformed”? Is it because they don’t agree with your opinion?🙄🤣

[@mariokarter13]

@@DoubleKlutchRacing Take a firm stance on any political topic. Half the country thinks you're mentally challenged for holding that position. And you're probably not smart enough to know or understand what the other side actually believes, resulting in two sides increasingly unwilling to talk to each other that think they have it all figured out because they can absolutely demolish the strawman they've constructed of the opposition. I don't care what side of the issue you fall on, if you can't effectively argue the other side you're uninformed on the topic. It's like sex with a blow-up doll, you might convince some of the low IQs around you that it's a real person, but everyone else can clearly see you're just pleasuring yourself.

[@seltzerwater7933]

Darkness is one of the best songs Eminem had ever made. MTBMB was pretty good compared to most of what he’s dropped over the last few years, but I wish more of it coulda went with a theme and been more meaningful like Darkness was.

[@mychaeljones7526]

I think his purpose on MTBMB was to express the un tied plots of his on going life. Im hoping is new album has less about his problems and is like Darkness.

[@jackyvstheworld]

Yeah. Darkness is a legit great song, but then at other points in the album we get lazy bars about the church shooting or, like the video pointed out, the Ariana Grande concert bombing. He could have tried harder to really make the album meaningful, yet he didn't. But Darkness is really fantastic and is my favorite song from him since, like, Love Game off of MMLP2.

[@colephelps2405]

answer me this please.... and i urge you too truly think about what i'm saying here, give me chance please.......why did he exclusively attack a white shooter !? do you honestly believe that isn't politically motivated ? do you honestly believe this is purely about the guns !? and nothing more... ? no deeper agenda !? why didn't he make this song about king carter the African American kid who was shot too death by a stray bullet in his own home at 8 years old !?........or mention it in this song at least ?......i'll tell you..... it's because the shooter was black... and that doesn't help his ''blame whitey'' narrative..... you see.... if he truly had an issue with guns... he'd call out Chicago... he'd call out all of it....not just the stuff whitey be responsible for..... it's also very telling too me that he makes no mention of Florida... despite the fact a white guy did it.. and we know exactly what went on their... unlike vegas... but see... in florida....we know what happened... things like the police standing down and letting those kids get shot... which has been confirmed.....hurts his message of trust da government... dey love u ! if you truly have an issue with gun violence .....you have an issue with all of it.... not some of it.... also you notice how he focuses on legally purchased firearms... not the illegal black market one's.... that's another hint.......IMO this isn't about guns... it's about him getting in the good books of the nwo... trump... whoever the fuck you believe is secretly running things... and believe me... someone is...

[@seltzerwater7933]

cole phelps In this entire song not a single word is spoken about the race of the shooter. The only one making this about race is *you.* You are not “woke”. And you are not helping.

[@circeh9499]

Because identifying with a specific tragedy, especially the deadliest shooting in American history, creates a bigger emotional impact than talking about things in a general sense. You’re not woke, you’re looking for a meaning that isn’t there

[@creepycrippleDan]

Since there is not going to be another video this week, imma say it now. Happy birthday, Darren!

[@mychaeljones7526]

Darren??? That breaks Kayfabe.

[@thescoobymike]

Royce da 5'9 did great on the production

[@t-kozy39]

this and You Gon Learn are my personal favourites off the album, and they were both produced by Nickel

[@jd5726]

Yeah it's craZy that he's only just started to produce, all three songs he did on the album were great and his last couple promo tracks he's released all have great production too, can't wait for the allegory he produced ever track on the album too

[@thescoobymike]

@@jd5726 fr man it ives me a lot of confidence his album gonna be dope. Classic Em & Royce albums in the same year!

[@mix3k818]

Scooby MiKE Wait...HE produced that track? Wow.

[@jd5726]

@@thescoobymike I expect great things from Royce over the past couple years hes been in beast mode dropping amazing projects, not that he wasnt dope before but hes on a whole other level these days

[@sudevsen]

When Eminem says "NOW JUST LOSE IT AH-AH-AH-AH" to comment on his declining mental state and the burst of violence from the gunman, I felt that

[@mychaeljones7526]

Wow nice Fantano comment.

[@beinerthchitivamachado9892]

Wrong channel, dude.

[@TheRepoMan360]

This one will have people divided, but I think your motto covers it.

[@JimmyCrackorn]

Keyser Söze was portrayed by Kevin Spacey in The Usual Suspects. It was a double entendre.

[@jamespitts2124]

It was crazy he made that reference on the same album, but I'm glad he made this song.

[@brandonayong752]

The other reference was the SS character this was Marshall

[@brandonayong752]

@LittleRedRhuari RRR he actually makes a 9/11 reference in that same song But for some reason no one was offended at that

[@theallaroundnerd9889]

He made that reference on a freestyle last year and people were over it in a month. He does it again and it's all people talk about. Are people morons or do they not pay attention to anything?

[@mariokarter13]

To anyone paying attention, it's clear he's doing it for shock value, but it's also clear two decades of this has resulted in diminishing returns. Britney Spears singing about Auschwitz would be shocking, Eminem rapping about every major tragedy is just par for the course. And going by the charts, people were only interested for a week. On the Hot 100 Darkness debuted at #28 and dropped to #91 the next week. Much more interest in the Juice WRLD cut.

[@deecee1853]

Maybe people were offended because 'bombs away' means dropping bombs from a plane. But that's kinda not what happened in the manchester bombing

[@taylorfrench6722]

The most chilling song Eminem has ever made, including Stan and Kim. When he got to the 3rd verse, my mouth dropped

[@TheSarge23]

You're easily one of my most favourite reviewers. Mixing the critique of everything musical as well as the socio-political, and both done with eloquence ans wit, is a valuable skill. I hope you'll be able to create content for a long time still.

[@Mharriscreations]

I find his socio-political critiques to be quite ham fisted. Almost like he's just quoting Twitterati.

[@thequinlanshow3326]

Too bad he's the most inconsistent reviewer in music history. Man busted a nut over the dad jokes on Revival but hates all the double entendres and metaphors on MTBMB

[@geekmac9349]

I think this song doesn‘t get enough credit because saying how Em ain‘t as good as people think is the cool thing to do right now. I feel like if Kendrick made the same song people would have been all over it

[@mychaeljones7526]

He did kinda with Fear if only that had a video. Also yes you're right in one way because people play favorites especially in hip hop.

[@hvntertheimmortal822]

This song is fire no doubt but em has been undeservedly goated on his elvis steez

[@vexxed____]

I feel like that's the case because this level of writing is expected from eminem because he is so great. No real hip hop heads disrespect eminem's pen and his writing ability it's just the music he makes. Eminem=top tier writer. But the songs/albums he's been making recently don't live up to his greatness

[@ChrisJerico2]

DYLAN but in what way though. For example I feel MTBMB has some of his best lyrical flows to date and sound quality to date. Yet somehow he gets blasted for no substance and chorus/hooks. Which for Eminem to get criticism for a chorus is kinda stupid considering that’s always been his weak spot even earlier on in his career and he stated in an interview unless it’s a personal song he usually doesn’t try with them. I feel like people have some false narrative that Em was always this deep rapper when in reality he’s only had those songs be one or two off an album. Most of his songs are just riding the beat to the best of his ability, double entendres, and story telling which he does well in his last two albums but were shit on because....... Reasons I guess.

[@vexxed____]

@@ChrisJerico2 it's because people like being able to replay songs which you can't do if the chorus is trash because it can ruin a song. I don't think the criticism is necessarily to make meaningful music it's just that he sounds bitter about critics even tho he says he doesn't care about criticism and that's what the last 2 albums have been about from almost front to back. I say that because people love all his loose single verses like the "chloreseptic remix" and "Caterpillar" which aren't really deep at all. So it's not a lack of depth, it's just a lack of unique subject matter

[@hbmento8102]

Is it just me, or is each album Em has dropped since revival getting better and better?

[@queenthinng4822]

I mean, there’s been two albums, that isn’t really a trend. But yes, they’ve been getting better

[@yesman9601]

HBmento yeah but it's not hard since Revival was complete dog shit

[@seltzerwater7933]

HBmento kinda

[@Platelunchexpress]

Ni

[@edwin99901]

Thank God for revival, that album put eminem back against the wall and bought out the best of him. It served its purpose.

[@ledestroyer22]

Wow, a critic reviewing Eminem and actually give him his credit instead of blindly hating

[@redfin382]

I listened to this song the first time with the audio only.. So at first it caught me off guard. But only Eminem could write two songs at once with the same lyrics. He is a genius

[@mrfishbone100]

I love your thoughtful analysis. Another great video!

[@Roguemoon24]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, in your last video you asked which song would you want us to ask you to review and this was my request. Thanks man.

[@thomasrobinson9148]

based acknowledgment that mlk wanted deep social and political change beyond equal rights. his fight for class rights was arguable just as important

[@josephfellis775]

The message hit me as I started to zone out cause ya know, it's an Eminem song about Eminem, and then I sat up went "Now hold on just a second"

[@marvellesaulsberry]

As someone who lives in vegas and even planned on going to the strip that night seeing this song get covered on the news was shocking then i was like oh its supposed to bring awareness thank god cuz that wudve been in the poorest of taste

[@patrickracer43]

Is it bad that I chuckled when Rap Critic made the "mass shootings aren't unlocked when you rack up enough mental illness points"?

[@FaeQueenCory]

Algorithm boost comment here. (Also happy birthday.)

[@braydenthurman2872]

This the first time I've ever watched this dudes channel. But he is a fuckin genuine, genuis.

[@beinerthchitivamachado9892]

5:46 LMAO, I knew he was gonna do that.

[@Fraughtful]

Peak Eminem bars. Always consistently strong (albeit sometimes cheesy) wordplay.

[@lunaroe4941]

I fucking LOVE this album and I FUCKING LOVE Eminem. Goat 🐐

[@brandonayong752]

Even Fantano loved that song

[@deecee1853]

Fantano likes the album more than rap critic too haha

[@brandonayong752]

@ImInfinite MidWest his co host always ruins the Eminem reviews I wish rap critic would go back to reviewing Em albums alone

[@deecee1853]

@ImInfinite MidWest edit: tldr at bottom I enjoyed the album more than eminem's last two projects. I think it was the production that did it for me. I really liked the beats on this one. So even if he spit out some sub-par punchlines, good delivery and good instrumentals made it land a little better for me. I think the thing with RC is that if a song has a few missteps, he can't enjoy the entire track. I remember listening to the jpegmafia review (which he gave a 1.5, but I fucking love that album), where he would say something like "I really like this part of the song while this little part really annoys me so I can't really go back to it." Even for mtbmb, he praises parts of a few songs that he ended up not liking. But yeah, he's not going to go back those ever again. For some reason, he thinks the good parts of revival overshadow the bad parts though. A lot of people are turned off by Mues, the co-host's, voice for some reason. I feel like he can come up with really good takes. He also seems to research more stuff about the albums they review than RC. For mues, I think the albums must be shorter and should stick to a similar theme (This album does kinda seem like all over the place with the themes of the songs). Also, skits. They must complement the album. Or else he hates them. Maybe if Em came out with a concept EP of like 5 tracks, with just one producer, and Em rapping slow but steady without over emphasizing the punchlines, Mues would really like it. (Wow, that's really specific) Also Mues not liking this album may have to do with the fact that recent rap albums reviewed by them have been really (let's just say) heavy albums. Just peep the album they review after mtbmb on the next episode. Although Mues can be really awkward sometimes. Their fantano guest videos are really awkward and do not have a natural flow, as compared to, say, when they bring over guests Mues is more familiar with. And sometimes he just speaks a little too slow (can be a little off-putting sometimes). Phew that was long. Idk if you'll read the whole thing. tl;dr : i like album. do check out mues he cool. rc has weird tastes sometimes

[@adarshnair8882]

@ImInfinite MidWest God lee that other dude's annoying. WOW! Like... I get it.. Em has been inconsistent for a while now, but it's almost as if that other guy has his ears perked up for the weak lines exclusively. He legitimately thinks Joyner out rapped Em on "Lucky You".According to him and I'm paraphrasing, the flow was "there" but the lyrics weren't "impressive" compared to Joyner. He even thought Em was weak on "You gon Learn" from this album compared to Royce_da_5'9" and.... you guessed it, he "proved " his point by eliciting the weakest line on the song (that Federalies scheme). Besides it's not even all that weak. I don't know. Something tells me if Rap Critic would just review these damn albums by himself, the results would be a lot more accurate. And that's another thing. I don't know if you guys have seen it, but the Rap Critic tries to pander to that other dude's tastes a lot when it's clear as day in his voice that he's actually impressed by what he's listened to but doesn't wanna admit it in front of that other weird guy. And good gracious.. does that man have the most whiny, annoying ass voice a critic could ever have. Rap critic should just start reviewing rap albums by himself.

[@ThatThrashGuy99]

Im from Reno, Nevada. All I can say is, Nevadans won't give up our guns easily. But I like how Em gave his 2 cents on this issue and made an entertaining song

[@jeremiahfyan]

While i may slightly disagree with ur stance on the situation, i still agree with the point of this video and appreciate the actual breakdown and review of the music. Still one of the greatest music review channels on the internet. Keep at it RC

[@Mastrmyrtr9]

It's so funny to me that you can watch a video like Darkness and still think "nah, gun laws are fine."

[@DishonoredHitman83]

@@Mastrmyrtr9 but em and rc both imply that no gun law couldnt really stop him. He was legally permitted to own those weapons

[@Cdr2002]

@@DishonoredHitman83then that legal permission should be taken way.

[@kaorugirl180]

Tbh I appreciate any level of acknowledgement that shootings are not a mental illness thing. Even when shooters DO have signs of actual mental illness, it usually isn't something they are diagnosed with, because the unfortunate fact is the kind of warped mentality that inspires this shit ISN'T considered delusional or distorted. Therapy rarely is gonna call you on bigotry, even if the therapist themselves is blantantly aware. My last therapist was black and expressed (vaguely, not on a HIPAA violation level) frustration with certain racist/sexist attitudes with clients because it's "inappropriate". Believing climate change or even fucking dinosaurs are real is a "opinion" but believing in police brutality is "paranoia". They'll involuntarily commit you for wishing you were dead and saying something, but not for wishing death on other people. Tbh I doubt eminem is neurotypical. He has dumped enough into his lyrics to clearlt outline a long list of traumatic experiences. As result he kind of proves the point of the line himself. He has a pretty fucking volatile history, but there have been few consequences because for a famous white dude the is little to be called out for. If you go with that as a factor you always pass over people like eminem, and instead lock up like... halsey who is openly bipolar lmao.

[@projectj7235]

I wasn't ready for this

[@luscorpio3679]

I'm not gonna lie. I was going through the album without being that impressed. Then this song came, and I was blown away, I had my jaw dropped every two bars once I understood the true purpose of this song.

[@theoneandonlymichaelmccormick]

Art? Political? Rap music in particular? Political? NEEEEEEEEEEEVER.

[@michellebrowne9100]

This is actually REALLY good. Normally I'm eh on Eminem - I just don't like his edgy jokes, y'know? They suck - but this is really clever wordplay.

[@k3tsunami]

Eminem is the only guy who can take such mature topics and 2 seconds later talk shit and offend left and right like a mad man.

[@Advent3546]

Definitely the best song from Music to be Murdered By

[@Rocketboy1313]

I appreciate your preamble. It can be weird navigating that sort of, "is this the time for that" while at the same time looking at people who are patently NOT embracing the spirit of the things they are quoting out of context.

[@jwood8769]

Song was about mass shootings, but you could also connect it with addiction and his career

[@axis1247]

Yes, living as a black person and enjoying your life without constant oppression is exactly what MLK wanted.

[@redrum41987]

Check out You Gon Learn by Eminem and Royce of off Music to be Murder by. Royce has very personal lyrics and Em shines as well, be personally, and takes shots at people (Nick Canon) who have dissed him.

[@stevenblack7404]

Phenomenal song and review

[@HipHopTheology]

I think the idea that a person would scoff at a musician using music to comment on a social issue is utterly ridiculous. What do you expect, the artist to divorce their real life from their music?

[@jaytheunique1937]

SOMEONE TELL HIM TO DO COCAINE BY ROYCE DA 5'9

[@jd5726]

I love this song in my opinion it was the second best song on the album after I Will, this song gives me goosebumps

[@Shaijn815]

What other songs has RC given 6/5 ratings?

[@xx_v_xx4373]

No love also by Eminem

[@Shaijn815]

@@xx_v_xx4373 thanks!

[@abhinandukanil3415]

Jesus Walks by Kanye

[@deecee1853]

Bitch bad by Lupe (but I'm not sure)

[@teababe27]

"Doo Wop That Thing" by Lauryn Hill, IIRC.

[@karend169]

That bathtub full of guns, is a real picture.

[@justin92510]

It's really a good song made me cry

[@damiancurtis7569]

Im knew to this and expected it to be dissing Eminem but I really enjoyed it

[@user-fs7zm6zc7s]

Happy birthday!

[@bridgetleekobold9979]

Only Eminem song that made me ugly cry the first time I heard it other than like toy soldiers

[@successfulfailure5153]

as much as i didn't like this album that much this one hit me super hard especially when i realized it was about a shooting i almost puked with anxiety and shock

[@dysperdotted]

haven’t watched this yet but i bet that rc loves this song.

[@calebjoseph8266]

I think reviewing the lyrics of this song in a jumbled order confuses the point. I enjoy your content, and you gave this song 6/5 in the end. I believe that someone who thinks as hard as you do about their artistry would agree that reading/watching/listening to something in the order its constructed is imperative to its' success. jk If you read till now

[@KingKrakenSports]

SO well done RC.

[@infernomance]

Happy pre-post-birthday! I've kind of thought Eminem was a bit washed up, but this single is pretty great on all levels.

[@lebeaumuni6247]

When Darkness came out I was expecting that if rap critic was to review it, I was expecting these kinds of jokes from him. I love it XD

[@Viralbayarea]

King I.S.O. needs a rap critic review

[@blissfulinsomniac5711]

I agree with your review except for the one caveat: the Vegas shooter DID exhibit signs of mental illness. His doctor noted that he showed signs of severe bipolar disorder. Not having been diagnosed does not equate to not having the mental illness. All Americans live in the world of isolation that you described, many are "assholes" with zero empathy, but few decide to do something like this. If mental illness is not what pushes you over the edge, what is?

[@shawnfoster4506]

Great song, but i genuinely dont know how to feel about this song and a reference to this EXACT tragedy on this EXACT album used to characterize eminem as badass/crazy etc. I love that Eminem "goes there" and will say anything. I think to some extent we need that outlet, someone who just doesnt have boundaries. But the ending of this video clashes SO hard with that lyric that it makes a song like this almost feel disengenuous. Idk

[@MaJetiGizzle]

Thank you for actually using a viewer advisory warning as opposed to calling it a “trigger warning”. Also, thank you for not using the politically loaded terms of “trigger” or “triggered” in said viewer advisory warning as to not start an even greater shitstorm of nonsense in the comments section.

[@arttismo7002]

Rap Critic GOAT

[@garskowskiPL]

Damn, this song is cool, but i'm too optimistic about life to listen to it on the daily. I also don't live in the USA, quite far from y'all in fact, and it's just so. goddamn. depressing. But great reviev tho, and I love that you're gonna be revieving Em a lot this month (at least that's what i understood from the intro?)

[@samuelsitohang2728]

im enimem fans forever

[@isinnedbye]

Whats the song called in the beggining of the song????

[@lecareymitchelliii9008]

I'm too poor to afford a request, frankly, but Cage just dropped a new album (hint hint)

[@SkeetersGuitar]

I really wish I could support RC on patron, I love his work

[@merthalilsofu2238]

His best storytelling song since Stan

[@0813m4d]

It just shows money makes these men but real men makes the money and allow making music for inspiration not fame! F up the game? 😎👍

[@LILCOLO]

You Know It's Great When It Get A 6/5 Rating 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾🔥🔥🔥

[@hugoholmquist2974]

Happy birthday RC

[@ScorpinoxOfficial]

i couldnt take it after the shots bar i literally stopped the video

[@seigeengine]

The entire point about it being a well regulated militia is itself taken out of context. While a general right to wield weapons was an existing principle, the context is that the USA deliberately was not intended to have a standing army. The reason well-regulated militias were necessary was that they were literally the military of the nation essential to it's defense. The moment the USA opted for a standing army, the entire premise of the second amendment was invalidated.

[@Cdr2002]

THIS. Thank youv

[@thenomad2311]

Way off. Not even close. Assume your best friend is jewish in 1939 germany, and youd rather die than let them take him, that is what its for. Stay armed my friends.

[@seigeengine]

@@thenomad2311 Stop spamming, fascist. EDIT: Note, at the time of me replying, the comment above was only "Way off. Not even close. They edited it later.

[@chrism870]

You're really funny, subbed :)

[@DaComebakKid]

So.....Nobodys gonna request "The Box"?

[@DaComebakKid]

@Pink Scissors Media fair enough LOL

[@myname8635]

This is better than Stan

[@GOffensive]

@A AI agree but I think they are thematically so different. Tere are also a lot of plays on words you can easily miss in Stan.

[@samipuusaari6208]

cant really compare them. the only thing similiar with them is the same artist and a dark tone. both are phenomenal songs

[@haroldpierce1987]

Yeah the constant wordplay and double entendres are better but Stan has more replay value as a song.

[@chrisazylum6624]

It's Oscar Sunday! Sorry if I didn't join the chat earlier! My phone wasn't working! Anyways I binged Eminem's albums after finding out he dropped MTBMB while on my way for my wisdom tooth removal! The song here is definitely dark! OK now do a Moneybagg Yo song! See ya at the Oscars! Cheers! 🍻

[@jun-hs4eo]

Now I’m waiting for a rap song to sample ‘The Boxer’

[@mikethegrunty5968]

Phil Bunni has really been killing it with the title cards

[@hicky0000]

hahahah as soon as you started setting up the joke I knew you'd play that concert line for the punchline. hahahaha

[@mariokarter13]

The biggest problem is the sample. The Sound of Silence has been memed to death, any attempt to make it emotionally impactful will ALWAYS be hampered by years of jokes mocking its seriousness. If someone tried making a climate change anthem sampling Smash Mouth's All Star (the ice we skate, is getting pretty thin) we'd be laughing at them, not praising how "they breath new life into a serious topic that has been woefully underdiscussed."

[@Imetral0]

the difference is that All Star already wasn't meant to be taken seriously before it was memed.

[@EL-jq1sq]

@@Imetral0 Yeah I guess a better example would be a sexy song played straight using the opening of Careless Whisper?

[@fuckoffstupidyoutub1]

Well that song was touching and good regardless of how much the sound of silence has been used as a meme, sorry, I think you may speak for yourself 💁🏻‍♂️ The fact that I laught about a meme with that song doesn't diminish my capacity to enjoy it, sampled or not.

[@beinerthchitivamachado9892]

LMAO, the sample is not a problem at all. It goes perfectly with the vibe of the song.

[@beinerthchitivamachado9892]

@@XdonttakeL Exactly.

[@RubyDynamite]

I find it weird, how he pronounced Keyser Söze - that's the main antagonist from The Usual Suspects, but his pronunciation is all fucked up, which makes me wonder why he'd make that reference at all, then.

[@brucebane04]

Lowkey this song hurt me cuz I was supposed to be there. A couple of friends wanted me to go with them to the concert and I promised I would but I flaked at the last moment. I told them "dont trip there's always next weekend to hang out." That day I found out the hard way that tomorrow is never promised. Two of my friends where killed and to this day I still feel guilty😔😔😔😖😖

[@adjangog9565]

“Had access to the type of artillery available to someone fighting a war” -No artillery was used in Las Vegas. “Strapped like a soldier” -There is no limit to the amount of arms that a Free American can own. There should be no limits. “Like, Yeah the constitution allows for arms under the 2nd amendment and what not, but specifically to the caveat of a well regulated militia” -A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. Clearly stated the RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE! Defined: militia (/mɪˈlɪʃə/) is generally an army or some other fighting organization of non-professional soldiers, citizens of a country, or subjects of a state.

[@CasaiAgicap]

Psh, how dare they make rap music that's political? Why can't we go back to the classic, care-free days of rap, like Brenda's Got a Baby, C.R.E.A.M. or The Message?

[@sidahmedboussaid2386]

BRAVO

[@SamuelKAddai]

Happy Birthday!

[@Blu_LGC]

5:45 yeah I saw that coming

[@elliotstannard5621]

The sample of Sound of Silence is done perfectly, the gradual reveal of the true meaning of the song, and the use of the double entendres, is amazing and I don't mind the Manchester bombing reference-from Unaccommodating- in fact, I actually love it: it may be for shock value, but that's the point, the shock causes the listener to remember an event, that has become almost dulled to the general public (after so many years of politicians' platitudes), in the horror that it once conveyed-and therefore in its true and original proportions. It's like a Frankie Boyle joke.

[@blissfulinsomniac5711]

The only problem with that argument is the assumption that people forgot the event. Why not bring attention to similar events that were not well-publicized? Then, your stance would make perfect sense.

[@elliotstannard5621]

@@blissfulinsomniac5711 I didn't say that people have forgotten about it, I said that, through endless platitudes force-fed to us by basically uninterested politicians, it has lost the original potency that could at first have caused the British public to demand change. Such as an increase in the police force, as that has dwindled due to austerity, or just for the government to work to get to the heart of the problem with extremism in Britain and to educate those who might be susceptible to its influence-whether that be right wing political or religious extremists. Instead we got endless platitudes and substancless promises of togetherness from disinterested politcians that, eventually, ended with the event becoming another boring, run of the mill act of terrorism. We learned nothing, were taught nothing and so have progressed not one iota. It's faded from our interest, with the passage of time, and though we remember it, it has become drowned in mundanity. Also, the fact that it was not properly addressed means that xenophobic, religiously intolerant cretins have been able to blame all of this on "foreigners" and the Islamic faith, and not one political figure in a place of significant power was there to tell them otherwise. In fact, many like Boris Johnson would say things that play into the same incorrect, religiously intolerant image of Muslims: do you remember what he said about women in Burkas?

[@elliotstannard5621]

@@blissfulinsomniac5711 though I agree with you about under publicised events, sometime when events are publicised in the wrong way it can do just as much damage.

[@blissfulinsomniac5711]

@@elliotstannard5621 I doubt it may have faded from interest, and also disagree that it is for the reasons you outlined. It is likely due to the fact of perceived futility, as if people think that nothing is going to stop the acts of violence, so the only defense mechanism is to ignore it, and mentally shield ourselves from the torment. Sort of the same reason you don't cry every time you hear of a murder on the news. Even if all that you are saying is true, do you really think Eminem's motive was to bring awareness to it? Do you think he cares, or has any knowledge of the British government? Do you think he cares how women in Burkas were perceived? I admire the meaning you took from his lyrics, but you are really stretching it here, and I'm going to pull Occam's razor: the simpler explanation- that he mentioned it to stir controversy and draw attention to himself-is more than likely the case. Mentioning it as a simile for how formidable you are in the studio is not going to bring awareness back to it. At least not for more than 2 seconds. Now, on the other hand, making a meaningful song about it, such as "Darkness", just might.

[@elliotstannard5621]

@@blissfulinsomniac5711 though I can see the point of your argument, I perceive that you are still having problems with understand what I have said. Why do you think we shut off, emotionally, when we see something horrible that we believe cannot be remedied? It is because we are repeatedly told that it is impossible to do so. Not just because of the subtext of worded messages that we are fed by disenchanted, disinterested politicians but because it has become so commonplace that we simply acquiesce into that state of mind. The the brain has evolved, from the smallest of lifeforms, to be happy around order and routine. It has evolved not to panic when things happen according to the familiar pattern of events. No matter the abominable nature of the events. And a certain way to get this done is to give empty words of "solidarity" and "prayers", the subtext of this is there is little else we can do, when there is plenty else we can do: increase police numbers, strengthen security measures, and (most important) address the heart of the problem with help for those who are most susceptible to extremism in deprivation areas, people who have mental health problems, people who have been subjected to child abuse while growing up and so on. Or by addressing other forms of extremism where the common, yet erroneous, belief is that certain minorities are more susceptible to extremism than others. This mistake caused more hate crimes, directed at the minorities, this can continue, also, because not much is done to challenge it. Also, of course the line was meant to cause controversy-to get people talking about it again. Think about it, when was the last time you thought about the Manchester bombing in this depth? When was the last time you debated this subject to produce actual answers rather than the empty words of "it was bad, what's for lunch?" that the politicians gave us? It didn't need to be explored in depth by Eminem, the seeds could simply be planted and it is up to us to dissect it. But, in order to break through the barrier of apathy that has surrounded us, it had to be shocking. One last thing, it was not done to get people talking about the event, not Eminem. He has Asperger's and so his brain doesn't work in such a self centered, half witted and nero typical way. Don't believe me, just look on the back of the CD case for MTBMB, it basically said everything I did.

[@henrychinaski5938]

My only gripe with this record is eminems lack of subtlety . He just has to add all the gun noises in the background and literally says double entendre as an adlib at some point . He should just let it rock and let the last verse bring it home . Spelling it out so early ruins the replay value for me .

[@theboothakarichierich8129]

Rap Critic it seems like you either really like Ems songs or hate them, What's up do u just think some are ok? Curious

[@ci9099]

Nice

[@Nikkerman]

Darkness is an absolutley amazing 10/10 song, cause it has a political message that's delivered competently, but unlike most other songs it doesn't completely take over the track and you don't even have to infer the same solution here, but just that there is a massive problem here that can't be scapegoated the way that it usually is, and it might be something as simple as banning access to death machines or a deep problem with a cold and isolating society where things like this are allowed to happen on the watch of a world that has it's citizens undergo constant 24/7 surveillance. Either way fantastic song.

[@VinMetal666]

You gave the song a 6/5 and the album a 2/5 on the Going Off?

[@seltzerwater7933]

VinMetal omg imagine liking a song from an album but not liking the whole album

[@thequinlanshow3326]

@@seltzerwater7933 gave Revival a 4/5, RC's opinions on hip hop have been so inconsistent and meaningless for years now

[@dillonv5345]

well done!

[@khrismakeup63]

it lowkey cracks me up that people have started leaving your channel cause youve been getting political my guy, youre the rap CRITIC, OF COURSE youre going to be bringing up political issues at SOME point, especially if the song youre reviewing has a political or controversial message behind it

[@ChaosoneX]

It's not because of him getting political -- it's because he's been getting preachy. People aren't watching Rap Critic because they're interested in knowing his thoughts about how messed up the world is -- they just want the music review.

[@themillenialfalcon3392]

My favorite songs on MTBMB Marsh Little Engine Darkness Godzilla You'd Gonna Learn Step dad