Role Model (song)

Last updated
"Role Model"
Role Model CD.jpg
Single by Eminem
from the album The Slim Shady LP
ReleasedMay 26, 1999
Genre
Length3:25 (album version)
3:22 (radio version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Eminem singles chronology
"My Name Is"
(1999)		"Role Model"
(1999)		"Guilty Conscience"
(1999)
Music video
"Role Model" on YouTube

"Role Model" is a song by American rapper Eminem from that features on his major-label debut album The Slim Shady LP (1999). It was later released as a single on May 26, 1999. A music video was made, using the heavily censored radio edit. It became a minor hit on the US charts. "Role Model" was written and produced by Eminem himself, Dr. Dre, and Mel-Man.

Contents

"Role Model" received positive reviews from music critics, who praised the song for Eminem best tackling how others perceive him, as well as Dr. Dre's production.

The song also appears on the deluxe edition of his compilation album, Curtain Call: The Hits . In 2023, a sample of "Role Model" was used for the Lyrical Lemonade track "Doomsday", off the album All Is Yellow (2024). Eminem appeared on a sequel to the track, also appearing on the same album.[ citation needed ]

Critical reception

David Browne described this: "In Role Model, he gleefully debunks the idea of rappers as heroes (So if I said I never do drugs, that would mean I lie and get f ---ed more than the President does)." [1] RapReviews highlighted following lyrics: "I get a clean shave, bathe, go to a rave/ Die from an overdose and dig myself up out of my grave/ My middle finger won't go down, how do I wave?/ And this is how I'm supposed to teach kids how to behave?" [2]

Music video

The video is a darker comedic offering than "My Name Is", directed by Dr. Dre and Phillip G. Atwell. The opening of the song, where Eminem announces his attempt to drown himself, is left out. In the video, there's a scene where Eminem is transformed into an animated superhero and attacks a chicken character that resembles Foghorn Leghorn from Looney Tunes . [3] Also in the music video Eminem jokes about the Murder trial of O.J. Simpson where he says that O.J. Simpson's friend Marcus Allen and Eminem framed O.J. for the murder and he says "We did it!" and runs up to the camera leaving behind a glove and his hands are bloody.

Track listing

Promotional CD single [4]
No.TitleLength
1."Role Model" (Radio Version)3:22
2."Role Model" (Album Version)3:25
12" vinyl [5]
No.TitleLength
1."Role Model" (Radio Version)3:22
2."Role Model" (Album Version)3:25
3."Role Model" (Instrumental)3:17
4."Cum on Everybody" (Club Edit)3:13
5."Cum on Everybody (featuring Dina Rae)" (Album Version)3:40
6."'97 Bonnie & Clyde" (Club Edit)3:49

Charts

Chart (1999)Peak
position
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard) [6] 11

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [7] Platinum70,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ) [8] Gold15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [9] Silver200,000‡
United States (RIAA) [10] Gold500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>The Marshall Mathers LP</i> 2000 studio album by Eminem

The Marshall Mathers LP is the third studio album by American rapper Eminem. It was released on May 23, 2000, by Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. Production on the album was handled by Dr. Dre, Mel-Man, F.B.T., Eminem, and The 45 King. The album spawned three hit singles: "The Real Slim Shady", "The Way I Am" and "Stan", and features guest appearances from Dido, RBX, Sticky Fingaz, Bizarre, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Nate Dogg, Paul Rosenberg and D12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Real Slim Shady</span> 2000 single by Eminem

"The Real Slim Shady" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his third album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). It was released as the lead single a month before the album's release.

<i>The Slim Shady LP</i> 1999 studio album by Eminem

The Slim Shady LP is the second studio album by American rapper Eminem. It was released through Aftermath Entertainment, WEB Entertainment, and Interscope Records on February 23, 1999. Recorded in Ferndale, Michigan following Eminem's recruitment by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, the album features production from Eminem himself, alongside Dr. Dre and the Bass Brothers. Featuring West Coast hip-hop, G-funk, and horrorcore musical styles, the majority of The Slim Shady LP's lyrical content was written from the perspective of Eminem's alter ego, named Slim Shady. The alter ego was introduced on his 1997 extended play Slim Shady EP, and concluded on his 2024 studio album The Death of Slim Shady . The album contains cartoonish depictions of violence and heavy use of profanity, which Eminem described as horror film-esque, in that it is solely for entertainment value. Although many of the lyrics on the album are considered to be satirical, Eminem also discusses his frustrations of living in poverty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stan (song)</span> 2000 single by Eminem

"Stan" is a song by American rapper Eminem, with vocals sampled from the opening lines of British singer Dido's song "Thank You". It was released in 2000 as the third single from Eminem's third album, The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). "Stan" peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Stan" topped the charts in twelve countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shady Records</span> American record label

Shady Records is an American record label founded by rapper Eminem and his manager Paul Rosenberg in 1999, following the commercially successful release of The Slim Shady LP that same year. The label's name comes from the last name of Eminem's alter ego, Slim Shady.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bad Meets Evil</span> American hip hop duo

Bad Meets Evil is an American hip hop super duo composed of Detroit-based rappers Royce da 5′9″ ("bad") and Eminem ("evil"). Formed in 1997, the duo's name comes from the namesake song from Eminem's The Slim Shady LP (1999), which featured Royce da 5'9". They debuted the same year with the release of the double single, "Nuttin' to Do" and "Scary Movies", the latter of which for the soundtrack to the 2000 horror comedy parody film Scary Movie. A decade later, the duo reunited to release an extended play (EP) to critical and commercial success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Way I Am (Eminem song)</span> 2000 single by Eminem

"The Way I Am" is a song written, produced, and performed by American rapper Eminem from his third album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). It was released as the second single from the album on October 3, 2000, later being featured on his 2005 compilation album, Curtain Call: The Hits. In the tradition of most of Eminem's follow-up singles, "The Way I Am" is one of the rare songs for which he has sole songwriting credit. It features a much darker and emotionally driven sound than the album's lead single "The Real Slim Shady". "The Way I Am" peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside the United States, "The Way I Am" peaked within the top ten of the charts in Belgium (Wallonia), Finland, Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Name Is</span> 1999 single by Eminem

"My Name Is" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his second album The Slim Shady LP (1999). It is also the opening song and lead single of the album. The song contains an interpolation from British singer Labi Siffre's 1975 track "I Got The..." featuring the bass and guitar riff as originally played by British pop rock duo Chas & Dave. The song was ranked at #26 on "VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s". "My Name Is" was also ranked #6 on Q Magazine's "1001 Best Songs Ever". "My Name Is" peaked at number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Eminem's first top 40 hit on the chart. Outside of the United States, "My Name Is" peaked within the top ten of the charts in Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, and United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Encore (Eminem song)</span> 2004 single by Eminem featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent

"Encore" is a song by American rapper Eminem featuring 50 Cent and Dr. Dre. It was written by the artists alongside Chris Pope, Mike Elizondo, and Mark Batson, the latter of which produced it with Dr. Dre. The title track from the Eminem album of the same name, it was released on November 9, 2004 as the third single on vinyl in the U.S. and is the final track from the album.

"Fack" is a song by American rapper Eminem, released in 2005 on his greatest hits album Curtain Call: The Hits as one of the three new songs recorded for the album. The song, along with the album's intro, is omitted from the clean version of the album. Throughout the song, Eminem imitates the voice of Cartman from South Park. In 2021, the song went viral on TikTok, due to many feeling shocked upon hearing the song's lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Still D.R.E.</span> 1999 single by Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg

"Still D.R.E." is a song by American rapper-producer Dr. Dre, featuring fellow American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on November 2, 1999, as the lead single from Dre's multi-platinum second studio album, 2001 (1999). The single debuted and peaked at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1999 before re-entering and peaking at number 23 in 2022. It was more successful in the United Kingdom, where it reached number 6. The song has been performed live numerous times by both Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Notable performances include the 2000 Up in Smoke Tour and as the final song in the Super Bowl LVI halftime show on February 13, 2022, alongside fellow American rappers Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent, with Anderson .Paak on drums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forgot About Dre</span> 2000 single by Dr. Dre featuring Eminem

"Forgot About Dre" is a song by American rapper Dr. Dre featuring Eminem. Written by Eminem, the collaboration was released as the second single from Dr. Dre's album 2001 (1999).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eminem</span> American rapper (born 1972)

Marshall Bruce Mathers III, known professionally as Eminem, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He is credited with popularizing hip-hop in Middle America and is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. His success is considered to have broken racial barriers to the acceptance of white rappers in popular music. While much of his transgressive work during the late 1990s and early 2000s made him a controversial figure, he came to be a representation of popular angst of the American underclass and has been cited as influencing many musical artists. His most successful songs on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 include "The Real Slim Shady", "Without Me", "Lose Yourself", "Not Afraid", "Love the Way You Lie", "The Monster", "Godzilla", and "Houdini".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kill You</span> 2000 single by Eminem

"Kill You" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his third album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). It was released as a promotional single from the album in 2001, and was featured on the deluxe edition of his 2005 greatest hits album, Curtain Call: The Hits. The song peaked at #2 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just Don't Give a Fuck</span> 1998 single by Eminem

"Just Don't Give a Fuck" is the debut single by American rapper Eminem. The original version was produced by Denaun Porter and appears as the only single on his only EP, the Slim Shady EP. A remix by the Bass Brothers appears on his major-label debut album, The Slim Shady LP. According to the book Angry Blonde, this was Eminem's first song as his alter ego "Slim Shady".

<i>Relapse</i> (Eminem album) 2009 studio album by Eminem

Relapse is the sixth studio album by American rapper Eminem, released in Germany and a few other countries on May 15, 2009, and in the US on May 19, 2009, by Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records. Not counting the 2006 Shady Records crossover album Eminem Presents: The Re-Up and a few new songs recorded for his 2005 greatest hits album Curtain Call: The Hits, the album marks Eminem's return to making music albums after a five-year hiatus following his 2004 album Encore, due to writer's block and an addiction to prescription sleeping medication. The album, among all of Eminem's albums, features the most production work by his mentor Dr. Dre, with Dre producing all but one song, Beautiful, which was produced by Eminem himself. Mark Batson collaborated with Dre on several songs, while Eminem, Dawaun Parker, and Trevor Lawrence Jr. collaborated with Dre on one song each.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bitch Please II</span> 2000 single by Eminem

"Bitch Please II" is a song by American rapper Eminem, featuring guest vocals from Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, and Nate Dogg. It was released as a promotional single from Eminem's third album, The Marshall Mathers LP (2000).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3 a.m. (Eminem song)</span> 2009 single by Eminem

"3 a.m." is a song by American rapper Eminem as the third single from his album Relapse. The single was produced by Dr. Dre. The song was released onto the iTunes Store on April 28, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guilty Conscience (song)</span> 1999 single by Eminem

"Guilty Conscience" is a song written, produced, and performed by American rapper Eminem featuring fellow American rapper Dr. Dre. It was released as the third and final single from the former's The Slim Shady LP (1999). It was also released on his 2005 greatest hits album Curtain Call: The Hits.

<i>The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)</i> 2024 album by Eminem

The Death of Slim Shady is the twelfth studio album by the American rapper Eminem. It was released through Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records on July 12, 2024. The concept album centers around a battle between Eminem himself and his Slim Shady alter ego. The album incorporates hardcore hip-hop, satirical hip-hop, and conscious hip-hop. The album features guest appearances from White Gold, Sly Pyper, JID, Dem Jointz, Ez Mil, Skylar Grey, Big Sean, BabyTron, and Jelly Roll; the Expanded Mourner's Edition additionally features 2 Chainz, Westside Boogie, Grip, and Fifteenafter.

References

  1. ↑ "The Slim Shady LP". Entertainment Weekly . 12 March 1999. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  2. ↑ "Eminem :: The Slim Shady LP :: Aftermath". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  3. ↑ "Eminem- Role Model Music Video (Uncensored/Dirty)". YouTube. 28 September 2009. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Eminem - Role Model". Discogs. 1999. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  5. ↑ "Eminem - Role Model / Cum On Everybody / '97 Bonnie & Clyde". Discogs. 1999. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  6. ↑ "Billboard chart search: Eminem - "Role Model"". Billboard . Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  7. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  8. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Eminem – Role Model". Radioscope. Retrieved December 18, 2024.Type Role Model in the "Search:" field.
  9. ↑ "British single certifications – Eminem – Role Model". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  10. ↑ "American single certifications – Eminem – Role Model". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved November 23, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.