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Eminem Pays Homage To His 'Beautiful' City

Posted Fri 3 Jul 2009 9:05AM NZST by Billy Johnson, Jr. in Hip-Hop Media Training

Eminem puts his controversial antics on the back-burner for the fourth single from his "Relapse" album which has already sold more than 1 million copies since its May 19 release.

The video for his new record "Beautiful" spotlights his hometown of Detroit. It opens with a historical statement about the Michigan's national ranking during an economic peak.

"In 1950, Michigan was 1 of 8 states in America that collectively produced 36% of the world's GNP," the text read.

On a second screen the message continued, "Detroit was the greatest manufacturing city in the world."

The 4-minute clip shows Eminem walking through various Michigan landmarks that once thrived but are now impoverished--Beaux-Arts train station (Michigan Central Station), the original Tiger Stadium, and the former Packard Motor Car Company plant. Each of the now dilapidated structures were built prior to 1914.

Ironically, the song lyrics are not about Detroit, but Eminem's battles with depression during his bout with an addiction for which he sought rehabilitation. He raps, "I don't know how or why or when, I ended up in this position I'm in."

In a statement released via his label, Eminem said that after overcoming his trials, he realized that the song could also be used as a metaphor.

"Tiger Stadium is being torn down, and the train station is supposed to be demolished too," Eminem said. "This video is one of the last times anybody outside of Detroit is going to see them."

Eminem added, "['Beautiful'] is a reminder to keep your head up, and to see who you really are despite what you may be going through. Now that I've gotten through the toughest part, I see how the song relates to Detroit, and it feels even more powerful."


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1335 Comments

121. Jason W -
HAHAHAHA you people watch to much MTV

122. DannyR -
I KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO COME FROM A BEAUTIFUL PLACE THAT SELF DESTRUCTS ITSELF DAY AFTER DAY AS WELL AS I AM RECOVERING FROM SELF DESTRUCTION BEHAVIORS AND THAT MAKES ME BEAUTIFUL!! GREAT LIRICS, SONG AND ALBUM!!

123. zoltan -
Eminem finally wrote something I can relate to!

124. Yahoo! Music User -
yeaa..i dont see what's so great about this video or song

125. Yahoo! Music User -
worst song ever!!!!

126. Jeffery -
Thank you Em

127. DougD -
Its sad to see that we as fans of Eminem feed off of his demons, he has to fight them everyday and we want more, this shows wat he really feels, thank god hes a great entertainer who expresses the way he feels through his music unlike others who may go off the deep end, although he has come close, its goin to be a sad day in the industry when we loose him, hopefully to naturall causes

128. Ncole -
People in Michigan should stop crying? Look here you twit, people are struggling here. The economy is a mess and people cannot afford to take care of themselves or a family!!! You probably drive a foreign car and don't even know who Eminem is. Shame on you. Move to another country and get a grip. This is a tough time for a lot of people! This video kicks @$$!

129. BEBE -
I can deffently relate to his lyrics in this song ,im very proud of him for just being himself.I really liked the song,keep being you ,thats what makes you shine.

130. Yahoo! Music User -
APPLAUSE FOR AN ARTIST THAT NEVER BACKS DOWN FROM SAYING WHAT HE WANTS!

IT IS DEEP AND TOUCHING BUT WE ALWAYS KNEW IT WAS THERE BURRIED DEEP INSIDE OF HIM. HE JUST WASN'T READY TO SHARE IT.

BRAVO M.M.

131. Jana -
wow, He grew up! cool.

132. BillD -
omg...more of the same...come on man, dig.

133. TedThompsonSucks -
That song is pretty terrible.

134. LizaF -
awesome! EMINEM is still the best!

135. Mike -
RIP Detroit

136. Silent Tenshi -
Eminem Rocks, he is talking about his town. His HOME... HIS LIFE. Before he was Famous.

However, everyone up and down I 75 knows that what that video is about is the truth

137. ChristopherV -
I've always been a huge fan of Eminem. I've seen every video, I own every CD, and I've followed his career every step of the way but by far, this is the best and my personal number 1 favorite song of his! I cannot wait for Relapse 2 to finally come out and see what else he's been cooking up. I doubt that any other song will ever been better than Beautiful but with Eminem's talents, you never know!

138. Ranette -
wow........this video was AMAZING that doesnt even cover it.......

139. Valerie -
wow ......great ^5

140. Jessica H -
Look, every Cd he puts out gets better and better. Thats because hes real and not fak elike some of these artists that just want the money. If people would just take time out and listen to all of his stuff, they would see how much of a gunies he IS!!!! Hes the best!! We havent seen nothing yet!! Go buy his album relapse now in stores!!! LOl, Love you M.
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