"Infinite" by Eminem from Infinite (1996)
Relapse was by no means a highlight in Eminem's career. Mediocre at best in terms of his prior output, 2009's offer had a handful of good songs ("Underground," "Beautiful," and "Deja Vu"), but also a couple of throwaways (read: "Insane" and "My Mom," songs about Mr. Mathers' history as a childhood victim of sexual and involuntary drug abuse, respectively.) that are on the same level with "Ass Like That." The album and Em's subsequent sobriety did yield some hopefulness though: Relapse was re-released as Relapse: Refill last September and it included "Forever," a track recorded with Drake, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West for the LeBron James documentary, More Than a Game. Eminem's verse on this track signified a breakthrough; his flow on this song is as innovative as any other since The Slim Shady LP and he demonstrates a confident level-headedness that hopefully reflects a sober mind.
Since the release of "Forever" Eminem has been working on his new album. Originally going to be called Relapse 2, Recovery* will be released on June 22nd and will have collaborations with DJ Khalil (Raekwon, Talib Kweli, Nas), Just Blaze (Jay-Z, T.I., Snoop Dogg), Jim Jonsin (Lil Wayne, Flo Rida, Beyonce) and Boi-1da ("Forever" and numerous Drake songs). These are producers that, until this point, Em has not worked with; however, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent will probably be involved as well. Though these producers aren't necessarily household names (yet), they've been behind some of the biggest hits of the past decade so I won't be surprised if Recovery reestablishes Eminem on the top of the charts. As a long-time supporter (and apologist as of late), I'm optimistic about Recovery: If his life affects his art as much as it has in the past, his apparent determination could make this the first step in a great new direction.
*It can't be determined if the original album was scrapped entirely or if the (creative) name change and press release is simply an attempt to distance the new album from his predecessor.
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Hungry, but humble, Em was free of the self-consciousness that would prove debilitating once he became the world's biggest pop star. You could take any line from "Infinite" as proof of his skills. This is a heavy hitter in the world of wordplay; Em's syncopated rhythm gives him space to link phrases together that would never be imagined by other emcees. The flow and vocabulary on his first album make it rival the most highly regarded debuts in hip hop (Radio, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Licensed to Ill, Paid in Full, Reasonable Doubt, Illmatic, and Ready to Die). Though not considered canonical yet, I suspect revisionists will certainly include it soon enough.
[Verse 1:]
Ayo, my pen and paper cause a chain reaction
To get your brain relaxing, a zany acting maniac in action
A brainiac in fact son, you mainly lack attraction
You look insanely whack when just a fraction of my tracks run
My rhyming skills got you climbing hills
I travel through your mind into your spine like siren drills
I'm slammin grills of roaches, who sprayed the disaffects &
Twist the necks of rappers 'til their spinal column disconnects
We disinfect then check the monologue, turn your system up
Twist them up, and indulge in the marijuana smog
This is the season for noise pollution contamination
Examination of more cartoons than animation
My lamination of narration
Hit's a snare & bass in a track fucked up rapper interrogation
When I declare invasion, there ain't no time to be stare and gazing
I turn the stage into a barren wasteland...
I'm Infinite
[Chorus:]
You heard of hell well I was sent from it
I went to it serving a sentence for murderin' instruments
Now I'm trying to repent from it
But when I hear the beat I'm tempted to make another attempt at it...
I'm Infinite
[Verse 2:]
Bust it, I let the beat commence so I can beat the sense in your elite defense
I got some meat to mince, a crew to stomp and two feet to rinse
I greet the gents and ladies, I spoil loyal fans
I foil plans and leave fluids leaking like oil bands
My coil hands around this microphone are lethal
One thought in my cerebral is deeper then a Jeep full of people
MC's are feeble, I came to cause some pandemonium
Battle a band of phony MC's and stand the lonely one
Imitator, Intimidator, Stimulator, Simulator of data, Eliminator
There's never been a greater since the burial of Jesus
Fuck around and catch all the venereal diseases
My thesis will smash a stereo to pieces
My accapella releases classic masterpieces through telekinesis
And eases you mentally, gently, sentimentally, instrumentally
With entity, dementedly meant to be Infinite
[Chorus:]
You heard of hell well I was sent from it
I went to it serving a sentence for murderin' instruments
Now I'm trying to repent from it
But when I hear the beat I'm tempted to make another attempt at it...
I'm Infinite
[Verse 3:]
Man I got evidence I'm never dense and I've been clever ever since
My residence was hesitant to do some shit that represents the M-O
So I'm assuming all responsibility
Cause there's a monster will in me that always wants to kill MC's
Mic messaler, slamming like a wrestler
Here to make a mess of a lyric smuggling embezzler
No one is specialer, My skill is intergalactical
I get cynical act a fool then I send a crew back to school
I never packed a tool or acted cool, it wasn't practical
I'd rather let a tactical, tact full track tickle your fancy
In fact I can't see, or can't imagine
A man who ain't a lover of beats or a fan of scratching
This is for my family, the kid who had a cameo on my last jam
Plus the man who never had a plan B
Be all you can be, cause once you make an instant hit
I'm tensed a bit and tempted when I see the sins my friends commit...
I'm Infinite
[Chorus:]
You heard of hell well I was sent from it
I went to it serving a sentence for murderin' instruments
Now I'm trying to repent from it
But when I hear the beat I'm tempted to make another attempt at it...
I'm Infinite
You heard of hell well I was sent from it
I went to it serving a sentence for murderin' instruments
Now I'm trying to repent from it
But when I hear the beat I'm tempted to make another attempt at it...
I'm Infinite
Ayo, my pen and paper cause a chain reaction
To get your brain relaxing, a zany acting maniac in action
A brainiac in fact son, you mainly lack attraction
You look insanely whack when just a fraction of my tracks run
My rhyming skills got you climbing hills
I travel through your mind into your spine like siren drills
I'm slammin grills of roaches, who sprayed the disaffects &
Twist the necks of rappers 'til their spinal column disconnects
We disinfect then check the monologue, turn your system up
Twist them up, and indulge in the marijuana smog
This is the season for noise pollution contamination
Examination of more cartoons than animation
My lamination of narration
Hit's a snare & bass in a track fucked up rapper interrogation
When I declare invasion, there ain't no time to be stare and gazing
I turn the stage into a barren wasteland...
I'm Infinite
[Chorus:]
You heard of hell well I was sent from it
I went to it serving a sentence for murderin' instruments
Now I'm trying to repent from it
But when I hear the beat I'm tempted to make another attempt at it...
I'm Infinite
[Verse 2:]
Bust it, I let the beat commence so I can beat the sense in your elite defense
I got some meat to mince, a crew to stomp and two feet to rinse
I greet the gents and ladies, I spoil loyal fans
I foil plans and leave fluids leaking like oil bands
My coil hands around this microphone are lethal
One thought in my cerebral is deeper then a Jeep full of people
MC's are feeble, I came to cause some pandemonium
Battle a band of phony MC's and stand the lonely one
Imitator, Intimidator, Stimulator, Simulator of data, Eliminator
There's never been a greater since the burial of Jesus
Fuck around and catch all the venereal diseases
My thesis will smash a stereo to pieces
My accapella releases classic masterpieces through telekinesis
And eases you mentally, gently, sentimentally, instrumentally
With entity, dementedly meant to be Infinite
[Chorus:]
You heard of hell well I was sent from it
I went to it serving a sentence for murderin' instruments
Now I'm trying to repent from it
But when I hear the beat I'm tempted to make another attempt at it...
I'm Infinite
[Verse 3:]
Man I got evidence I'm never dense and I've been clever ever since
My residence was hesitant to do some shit that represents the M-O
So I'm assuming all responsibility
Cause there's a monster will in me that always wants to kill MC's
Mic messaler, slamming like a wrestler
Here to make a mess of a lyric smuggling embezzler
No one is specialer, My skill is intergalactical
I get cynical act a fool then I send a crew back to school
I never packed a tool or acted cool, it wasn't practical
I'd rather let a tactical, tact full track tickle your fancy
In fact I can't see, or can't imagine
A man who ain't a lover of beats or a fan of scratching
This is for my family, the kid who had a cameo on my last jam
Plus the man who never had a plan B
Be all you can be, cause once you make an instant hit
I'm tensed a bit and tempted when I see the sins my friends commit...
I'm Infinite
[Chorus:]
You heard of hell well I was sent from it
I went to it serving a sentence for murderin' instruments
Now I'm trying to repent from it
But when I hear the beat I'm tempted to make another attempt at it...
I'm Infinite
You heard of hell well I was sent from it
I went to it serving a sentence for murderin' instruments
Now I'm trying to repent from it
But when I hear the beat I'm tempted to make another attempt at it...
I'm Infinite
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