Eminem could never make an album like 4:44



After the release of Eminem’s 11th studio album Music to Be Murdered By, I recalled a discussion about whether the Detroit native could make an album similar to that of 
Jay-Z’s 4:44. 

In Jay-Z’s 13th studio album, he is open with his listeners as he raps about infidelity within his marriage with singer Beyoncé, fathering a daughter and the miracle of having twins.  The album received three Grammy nominations in the 60th Annual Grammy Awards and Jay-Z’s mature and vulnerable lyrics were praised by critics.

The question then arose, if Eminem could create an album of the same stature. 

The themes of marriage and children that Jay-Z delve into on his latest solo album, Eminem has been talking about throughout his career. Having been in an on-and-off relationship with Kim Scott since the age of 15, which includes two marriages, and having his daughter Hailie at the age of 23 with little money, they have always had an influence on his music.

In his second studio album The Slim Shady LP , the rapper  promises his daughter that he will always be there for her in 97’ Bonnie & Clyde, while also figuratively killing of his wife. This theme continues into his third album the Marshall Mathers LP.


Then in his 2005 release Curtain Call, while continuing to show the love he has for his daughter and now his two adoptive daughters in Mockingbird, he also acknowledges the toll his career has put on his family in When I’m Gone. He also gives credit to his ex-wife for supporting their family when he was low on money.

These themes that Jay-Z is only just beginning to explore have always be littered in Eminem’s music, so much so that at times it could seem like he’s repeating himself.
Jay-Z on the other hand, has always kept his cards close to his chest about his private life. Regarding his new subject matter, Hov has admitted that he needed to mature before he was able to deal with his problems and create his most exposed album. On the album itself he says at one point, ‘I wasn’t ready so I apologise’.

4:44 saw Jay-Z begin to bring down the curtain over his private life, which continued on his collaboration album with his wife Beyoncé, EVERYTHING IS LOVE, where they shared that they had to get remarried. I doubt these recent projects are a complete departure from his earlier braggadocios lyrics but instead show another side to the rapper.
The lyrical variety of both rappers taken into account, I don’t believe if Eminem were to centre his next album around the same topics as Jay-Z's last solo album, that he would be praised in the same way, as the heartfelt lyrics wouldn't be out of character for him.


Eminem who has released three albums in four years, clearly has something to say with his new music. His latest album was number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, amongst many others. The lead single Darkness discussed the Las Vegas Shooting of 2017 and the sociopolitical topic of gun control.


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