The Adventures Of Moon Man & Slim Shady

Kid Cudi and Eminem have joined together for a new song, “The Adventures of Moon Man and Slim Shady”. The song dropped on Thursday, July 10th at midnight. This is the first time the rappers have come together to collaborate, and their fans were definitely excited. Both Cudi and Eminem rap about current events, some in the world going on around us, and other more personal material. The intro to the song includes Kid Cudi saying, “Yeah it’s been a minute, but I’m back in it”. This is a reference to Cudi’s journey through rehab and coming out through the “dark and the light”. Eminem focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and police brutality with the verses, “Half of us walking around like a zombie apocalypse” and “Prayers for George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery”, respectively. The song serves as a reference point both for events going on in the rappers’ personal lives, and the world they are currently living in.

“New attitude mixed with that pure raw” Kid Cudi raps on his new collaboration with Eminem called “The Adventures Of Moon Man & Slim Shady”. The choice of title reflects the alter-egos of both artists which have been used as titles for previous albums for example Kid Cudi’s “Man on the Moon: The End of Day” and Eminem’s “The Slim Shady LP”. That being said it is only fair to compare this work to the previously mentioned albums. It is interesting to note that these two albums were their most successful albums. This however is on the exception of “The Marshall Mathers LP” being Eminem’s most successful album with “The Slim Shady LP” coming in close second. Kid Cudi’s last album was published in 2016, so this major feature with Eminem could signal a comeback for the artist with a new album on the way.

Eminem has consistently dropped albums but some fans prefer his older music to the new style in his recent albums. Some fans blame this on his abstinence from drugs contributing to less insane lyrics about his hate for his mother, murdering people and other sexual deviance. And sometimes all three in the song “Kill You”. Then famously back in 2013 the rapper appeared to be highly intoxicated during an ESPN Interview at a Michigan/Notre Dame football game. This is also when he released “The Marshall Mathers LP 2”. Fans all agreed that his ability to craft lightning fast lyrics like his youth was still present in his later albums but the energy was not the same as his younger self. It seemed slightly odd to listen to a 40 year old man rap trying to duplicate the rage and teenage angst of his younger self from his million dollar mansion. His last three albums “The Marshall Mathers LP 2”, “Revival”, and “Kamikaze” were not nearly as successful as his previous albums so it seems the numbers are there to back the general fan consensus on his recent music. Therefore, likewise his song with Kid Cudi could symbolize a new “Revival” as it were to Eminem’s music.

When listening to the song it is apparent that he is not kidding with his “New Attitude”. This also includes a new rhythm to his flow and interesting new Adlibs. In comparison to his album “Man on the Moon” it lacks the harmonic sweeping melodies of his older music. The style definitely reflects the influence of the soundcloud rap movement. Cudi uses the term “let your nuts hang” which was popularized by a soundcloud rapper named 6ix9ine. In this flow Cudi’s voice inflection almost sounds derivative or A$AP Ferg back in the “Shabba Ranks” era. If you listen to both consecutively the derivativeness of “The Adventures Of Moon Man & Slim Shady”. The reason I was a big fan of Cudi from the early days of Moon Man 1 and 2 was the emotional effect felt by the artist’s drifting flow with strong hints of nostalgia and melancholy. His message in his music always seemed to be like a lyrical hug to his fans telling them everythings going to be okay. The bars on this song are catchy but fail to really capture the listener’s emotions. Eminem does not usually fail to disappoint, however; on this song his lyrics and his rhyme scheme seemed lackluster. However, as much criticism Eminem has of the soundcloud movement and “mumble rap” it’s interesting to hear ad libs on his verse that sound very reminiscent of Lil Uzi Vert. Eminem’s social commentary on the song is interesting however when he mentions “F*** Drew Brees”. Eminem made headlines when he dropped a diss track freestyle about President Trump. One can only assume this line is in reference to the football players' critiques on Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the National Anthem. In conclusion, if I were to compare this song to other ones currently in the industry I would give it a “B”. However, if you compare this to their debut albums the song was named for it fails to impress or compare with their most successful bodies of work. Music is subjective, so for me it seemed pretty generic - almost if Van Gogh dropped a series of stick figure drawings at the end of his life but it is definitely worth a listen to find out for yourself.

What the song means to me and my opinion You all think you know me but I am not the same kid I used to be. There will always be people that do not want me to progress in life, I have to identify them as quickly as possible and move on, not letting them hold you back. If I want achieve something, I have to take steps (Baby steps), I have to do the work and not just the talk. I have dreams and I have to achieve them. If I find something I am good at, I should try and be better in it, be the best if possible. I will give this song a rating of 7/10

Factual Research This song was released July 10th 2020, prior to this Cudi released “Man on the Moon” September 15th 2009 and Eminem released Slim Shady February 23rd 1999 which I believe this song is a sequel to those ones. This is the first time the two rappers will rap together but they worked together in 2010 where Eminem produced two songs for Cudi; “Lil B” and “I Hear Them Calling Me”

What the artist means Kid Cudi talks about life; he got into rehab years ago but it helped him, made him figure out a new plan for his life though it was a bad experience. He talks about life as a cool person themed around being a fly person (moon concept). He talks about his rap prowess as compared to basketballer Dwayne Wayde, talks about his collaborations. He is happy with feeling high and having sex.

Eminem brags about his rap prowess compares himself to God. He disses a football player for being petty to justice, supporting Trumps’ inhumane because of the flag hail. Compares himself also to Michael Jordan as one of the greatest. He talks about haters and dealing with them. He is not happy with how the masses act with regards response to Covid-19 and how he can die just from shopping. He also talks about police brutality-see what they did to George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery.

The song is about tribulations that come in our way as you go through life. All that we face, including huge authority figures trying to help, undermine, and sometimes enforce what they think is right upon us.

Sometimes the decision is taken out of their hands by natural pandemics. Other cases, it is the public and most importantly, people who have identified their weaknesses years ago, rehab’ and now, it’s all good. He is figuring out a new plan. He says there is nothing that can beat time, but he is hoping that time will change it all, and he will be the first one to do it.

There is nothing more inspiring than having a hero figure in this life. No matter what people throw at you, you get to fight back and ascertain your position. Stand tall and protect yourself, don’t mingle with the wrong crowds as you will find yourself in a ‘fuckin’ casket from coughin’.

The song fights for the rights of the few and reminds officers of the law that their goal is to protect and not harm. They plead to be heard before the harmer comes down. He implores that they work together against the common enemy and not against one another as it creates panic, spreading like wildfire.

The solemn note in the song endears many, but the rap quality is off the charts.