Martial Mathers by Eminem; Song Analysis

There have been many song artists, especially in the rap element, that have a feud with one another. Either they rap each other out, call out their enemies through their lyrics, or sometimes things even result in violence. Eminem, rap artist also known as Slim Shady, has a feud with the band I.C.P [Insane Clown Posse] and it’s leading artists Violent J and Shaggy2Dope. [Background information: The lyrics I will be using is a response by Eminem from a song mocking Eminem, by I.C.P, called “Slim Anus”]. In the song “Martial Mathers,” Eminem’s profane and anti-gay slurs used to insult I.C.P contain the usage of rhyme, allusion, and alliteration.

As a rap artist, rhyming is essential. In the lines “Plus I was put here to put fear in faggots who spray Faygo Root Beer/and call themselves "Clowns" cause they look queer,” he rhymes “beer” with “queer.” In other parts of the song, he rhymes “nails” and “females,” or “wristwatches” with “nauseous.” Sometimes, he uses imperfect rhymes such as “started” with “garbage.”

His allusion to I.C.P’s song is very much in evidence; Eminem does no try to hide his allusion at all, as in evidence with the following lines: “Plus I was put here to put fear in faggots who spray Faygo Root Beer/and call themselves "Clowns" cause they look queer” or “’Slim Anus,’ you damn right, Slim Anus/I don't get f!!!!!d in mine like you two little flaming faggots!” Despite seeming rather homophobic and profane, it is very clear that he is referring to I.C.P’s Violent J and Shaggy2Dope.

Lastly, Eminem uses a great deal of alliteration to get his point across. He uses his alliteration, typically, with a great deal of slurs and swears: "fear in faggots who spray Faygo" has a series of the 'fffff' sound. Also, he says "'Clowns' cause they look queer," rhyming the 2 C's and the Q.

Perhaps Eminem isn't homophobic nor against gay rights. Then again, this isn't his only song that displays an advanced dislike for gays. In another defense, Eminem could be using these words [gay, faggot, queer, retarded, etc] in the way that practically everyone else uses them [despite the fact that it is wrong]; they are now considered mere insults, and he is trying to insult the members of I.C.P. Nevertheless, he effectively uses alliteration, allusion, and rhyme.