12 Times Eminem Spit Lyrical Fire

At the peak of the Slim Shady era of his career, Eminem would write visceral and transgressive raps, as well as use controversial imagery during his sets. The most notable being the getup of dungarees, hockey mask, and chainsaw while performing at the 2001 Brit Awards.

After the success of 1999’s The Slim Shady LP, the bleach-blonde rapper had become a household name, as well as a target for cultural commentators, believing he had influenced the actions of the Columbine school shootings. Not only that but after the breakthrough album went platinum, fear had arisen over whether Eminem could release anything as good.

I’m Back addresses these points, in an ever-controversial way, ‘I take seven kids from Columbine, stand ‘em all line / Add an AK-47, a revolver, a 9 / A MAC-11 and it oughta solve the problem of mine / And that’s a whole school of bullies shot up all at one time.’ Eminem also raises the middle finger to any media pundit who doubted his potential, ‘what do I think of success? It sucks, too much press.’

Appearing on The Marshall Mathers LP and being amongst legendary hit singles such as Real Slim Shady, Stan, and The Way I Am, this track is often overlooked. However, with its simplistic beat, snappy hook, and sarcastic and provocative lyrics, it is the pinnacle of the record.