The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) is the 12th studio album by Eminem. It was released on July 12, 2024, by Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records, following his January 2020 album, Music to Be Murdered By and its subsequent deluxe version in December 2020.
The concept of the album revolves around the battle between Eminem himself and his Slim Shady alter ego.
Label: Shady Records/Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records
Release date: 12 July 2024
Discs: 1
The lead up to the release
The first public hint of TDOSS came from Dr. Dre on March 19, 2024, when he made an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Dre confirmed that the album would drop sometime in 2024, adding an intriguing note that he’d be hearing it for the first time on March 20. This sparked immediate anticipation among fans, eager to see what the legendary producer and longtime collaborator had to say about Em’s latest work.
The excitement continued to build in April 2024, when a teaser trailer for the album was aired during the NFL Draft in Detroit, Eminem’s hometown. The trailer didn’t just drop a hint—it revealed the album’s title and confirmed a release window of Summer 2024, setting the stage for one of the year’s most anticipated music events.
On May 20, Eminem took to his social media accounts to stir the pot even further, posting a cryptic teaser. The post featured a text message written in invisible ink, sent from “All Contacts,” that read:
“…and for my last trick!”
— Eminem on X/Twitter
Accompanying the mysterious message was a date: May 31. This naturally led to a flurry of speculation among fans and media, with many assuming that new music was imminent.
Sure enough, on May 28, 2024, Eminem posted a video on Instagram that featured him in a FaceTime call with magician David Blaine. The video culminated with Eminem announcing the release of the single “Houdini” on May 31. As if that wasn’t enough to send fans into a frenzy, he closed the video with the ominous statement, “for my last trick, I’m gonna make my career disappear.” This strongly hinted that The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) might be his final studio album, an idea further supported by the album’s title. The term “coup de grâce” is French for “finishing blow” or, more literally, “stroke of grace,” often used to describe the final, merciful strike delivered to a victim—potentially signifying the end of Eminem’s career or the retirement of his alter ego, Slim Shady.
In conjunction with the release of “Houdini,” a limited edition digital deluxe version of the album was made available for pre-order on Eminem’s website, offering fans a chance to secure an exclusive bonus track. The pre-order window was set to close on June 7, 2024, adding a sense of urgency for collectors and die-hard fans alike.
On June 28, Eminem announced the second single from the album, “Tobey,” featuring Big Sean and BabyTron. The announcement came with a horror-themed teaser for the music video, which was directed by Cole Bennett, known for his visually innovative work. “Tobey” was officially released on July 2, with the music video initially slated to premiere on July 5. However, on the day of the song’s release, Eminem posted a new teaser apologizing for the delay, stating that the video was not yet complete. The video finally dropped on July 8 via Lyrical Lemonade’s YouTube channel, further stoking the album’s hype.
As the release date drew closer, on July 1, Eminem unveiled that the album would drop on July 12, via a second teaser. Then, on July 9, just three days before the album’s release, the cover art was revealed, further heightening anticipation.
On July 10, the tracklist for The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) was unveiled through Apple Music. To accompany the reveal, Eminem posted a “Graveyard Album Trailer” on his social media accounts, maintaining the eerie, suspenseful vibe that had been building around the album. Although the tracklist concealed the featured artists, Skylar Grey later confirmed during an Instagram broadcast that she would appear on the track “Temporary,” a revelation that thrilled fans familiar with her past collaborations with Eminem.
In true Slim Shady fashion, hours before the album’s official release, Eminem took to social media to advise listeners to experience the album in the order of the tracklist to fully grasp its narrative and thematic depth.
Finally, Eminem shared a “Basement Trailer” video, depicting himself being held captive in a basement, a clever play on the iconic lyrics from “The Real Slim Shady.” This final piece of marketing was a nod to his roots while signaling the culmination of an era, leaving fans eager to dive into what might be the last chapter of Slim Shady’s storied career.
Track Listing – The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)
| # | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
| 1. | “Renaissance” (Intro) | Eminem, Resto[a] | 1:38 |
| 2. | “Habits” (with White Gold) | White Gold, Eminem[a], Narza[b] | 4:58 |
| 3. | “Trouble” | Dem Jointz, Fredwreck | 0:41 |
| 4. | “Brand New Dance” | Eminem, Resto[a] | 3:27 |
| 5. | “Evil” | Don Cannon, Cubeatz, Eminem[a] | 3:50 |
| 6. | “All You Got” (skit) | Eminem | 0:24 |
| 7. | “Lucifer” (with Sly Pyper) | Callus, Dr. Dre, Eminem[a] | 4:22 |
| 8. | “Antichrist” | Eminem, Resto[a], Foulmouth[b] | 5:14 |
| 9. | “Fuel” (with JID) | Mr. Porter, Eminem[b] | 3:33 |
| 10. | “Road Rage” (with Dem Jointz and Sly Pyper) | Dem Jointz, Dr. Dre, Eminem[b] | 3:38 |
| 11. | “Houdini” | Eminem, Resto[b] | 3:47 |
| 12. | “Breaking News” (skit) | Eminem | 0:37 |
| 13. | “Guilty Conscience 2” | Eminem, Dem Jointz, Fredwreck | 5:25 |
| 14. | “Head Honcho” (with Ez Mil) | Eminem, Ez Mil[b], Jameil Aossey[b], Resto[b] | 3:55 |
| 15. | “Temporary” (with Skylar Grey) | Skylar Grey, Eminem[a] | 4:57 |
| 16. | “Bad One” (with White Gold) | Eminem, Resto[b] | 4:30 |
| 17. | “Tobey” (with BabyTron and Big Sean) | Bennett, Carlton, Daniyel, Nocito, Marvy Ayy, Eminem[b] | 4:45 |
| 18. | “Guess Who’s Back” (skit) | Eminem | 1:03 |
| 19. | “Somebody Save Me” (with Jelly Roll) | Benny Blanco, Emile, Eminem[b] | 3:50 |
| Total length: | 64:28 |
Bonus Tracks – The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)
| # | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
| 20. | “Steve Berman” (skit) | Eminem | 0:25 |
| 21. | “Kyrie & Luka” (with 2 Chainz) | DJ Premier | 4:13 |
| 22. | “Like My Shit” (with Fifteenafter) | Eminem, D.A. Got That Dope | 3:49 |
Notes:
^[a] signifies a co-producer
^[b] signifies an additional producer
Album release announcements
Singles and music videos
Houdini
On May 28, 2024, Eminem released a joint video with renowned magician David Blaine that quickly caught the attention of fans worldwide. The video features a FaceTime call between Eminem and Blaine, where Eminem asks Blaine for help with a magic trick. In true Blaine fashion, the magician responds by performing an offbeat stunt—eating a glass of wine, showcasing his trademark flair for the bizarre. As the conversation unfolds, Eminem offers a sneak peek of his upcoming track, “Houdini,” by playing a brief instrumental snippet. The video concludes with the reveal of the song’s title and release date. “Houdini” dropped as the lead single on May 31, accompanied by a visually striking music video. The single was a massive commercial hit, rocketing to the number one spot in twelve countries and dominating the Global 200 chart.
Tobey
On June 28, Eminem ramped up the anticipation for his album by posting a teaser for the second single, “Tobey,” a high-energy collaboration with fellow American rappers Big Sean and BabyTron. The teaser, a short black-and-white clip, shows Eminem wearing a Jason mask and brandishing a chainsaw while standing alongside the featured artists. An instrumental snippet of the track plays ominously in the background, setting the tone for what was to come. The song was officially released on July 2, and despite a three-day delay in its production, the Lyrical Lemonade music video for “Tobey” was finally unveiled on July 8, adding to the track’s momentum.
Somebody Save Me
A week after the album’s release, on July 19, Eminem kept the hits coming with the release of “Somebody Save Me,” a collaboration with American singer Jelly Roll. This third single quickly made its way onto streaming services, further solidifying the album’s impact.
Album Cover – The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)
The cover art for The Death of Slim Shady was designed by Mike Saputo, a frequent collaborator with Eminem. The artwork features a striking image of a young Slim Shady zipped up in a body bag, visually playing on the album’s title and the concept of Slim Shady’s demise. This dark, provocative imagery perfectly encapsulates the theme of finality that runs throughout the album.
The font style and color used in the cover art are a deliberate nod to Eminem’s 1999 breakthrough album, The Slim Shady LP. This subtle homage connects the beginning of Slim Shady’s journey to what might be his final chapter, creating a sense of full-circle storytelling.
Reflecting on his work, Saputo expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating:
“This might be my favorite cover I’ve ever done.”
This statement highlights the significance of the album and the personal connection Saputo feels to the artwork, making it a fitting visual representation of what could be the end of an era for Eminem’s iconic alter ego.
The album has three covers
The standard cover art for The Death of Slim Shady was designed by Mike Saputo, a frequent collaborator with Eminem. The artwork features a striking image of a young Slim Shady zipped up in a body bag, visually playing on the album’s title and the concept of Slim Shady’s demise. This dark, provocative imagery perfectly encapsulates the theme of finality that runs throughout the album.
The font style and color used in the cover art are a deliberate nod to Eminem’s 1999 breakthrough album, The Slim Shady LP. This subtle homage connects the beginning of Slim Shady’s journey to what might be his final chapter, creating a sense of full-circle storytelling.
Reflecting on his work, Saputo expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating:
“This might be my favorite cover I’ve ever done.”
This statement highlights the significance of the album and the personal connection Saputo feels to the artwork, making it a fitting visual representation of what could be the end of an era for Eminem’s iconic alter ego.
The alternative cover for The Death of Slim Shady was also designed by Mike Saputo, with photography by Nicholas Walker. This version of the artwork offers a different but equally striking visual narrative. It depicts a bleach-blonde Slim Shady lying in his coffin, eerily still, while wearing his infamous Jason mask.
This imagery continues to play on the album’s theme of finality, symbolizing the death of Slim Shady in a way that’s both haunting and iconic. The Jason mask, a staple of Slim Shady’s rebellious persona, serves as a powerful reminder of the character’s legacy, even as he’s laid to rest. The alternative cover adds another layer of depth to the album’s concept, making it a memorable visual companion to the music.
The third cover for The Death of Slim Shady reportedly offers a nostalgic nod to Eminem’s past work, drawing strong visual parallels to the covers of Encore and Curtain Call. As the 20th anniversary of Encore approaches, this cover art serves as a deliberate callback to that era, evoking a sense of continuity and reflection.
The design echoes the themes of finality and closure that were central to both Encore and Curtain Call, while also marking what might be the concluding chapter in Slim Shady’s journey. This cover not only ties the new album to Eminem’s storied past but also underscores the significance of this release in the broader context of his career.
The physical CD cover features X?
Album front cover – The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)
Album back cover (TDOSS)
Alternative album cover (TDOSS)
CD cover (TDOSS)
CD booklet (TDOSS)
Vinyl (TDOSS)
Critics about The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)
The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) received a mix of reactions from music critics, resulting in generally mixed reviews. On Metacritic, a site that aggregates reviews and assigns a normalized score out of 100, the album garnered an average score of 46, based on 16 reviews. This rating reflects the divided opinions on Eminem’s latest work.
The Detroit Free Press offered a more positive take, praising the album for its “tight production, clever wordplay, and confident, versatile vocal flow.” The review went on to suggest that the album holds its own alongside some of Eminem’s most iconic works, such as The Eminem Show and Encore. The connection to Encore is particularly literal, given that the track “Brand New Dance” was largely recorded back in 2004 during the Encore sessions.
Complex magazine described the album as “just vintage Slim Shady shit,” indicating that it delivers the raw, unfiltered content fans have come to expect from Eminem. Meanwhile, Billboard highlighted “Somebody Save Me” as the standout track, calling it a “teary-eyed end to the Slim Shady journey,” signaling an emotional close to this chapter of Eminem’s career.
On the other hand, Clash magazine noted that The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) “doesn’t quite feel like an ending, but neither does it feel like a continuation,” suggesting some ambiguity in the album’s narrative. Despite this, the review acknowledged that it features some of Eminem’s best rapping in decades, a testament to his enduring skill.
The Independent was more critical, awarding the album just two out of five stars. The review argued that if the album was intended to allow Eminem to “have his cake and eat it”—to indulge in his earlier, purposefully offensive wordplay while wrestling with the Shady persona—the result is “the worst of both worlds.”
In a review for Cult MTL, Mr. Wavvy described The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) as Eminem’s “strongest album in over a decade,” though he also suggested this might say more about the “abundance of misfires” since The Marshall Mathers LP2 than about the quality of this album.
Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph characterized the album as “funny, shocking, contradictory, utterly outrageous, offensive, sentimental, clever, dumb, and occasionally even (whisper it) wise,” capturing the multifaceted nature of Eminem’s latest work.
Rolling Stone offered a harsher critique, noting that while Eminem is still relatively young—barely into his fifties—he seems oddly proud of holding onto opinions formed in his teenage years and making them central to his identity. The review criticized him for continuing to “blame his problems on women, express fear of trans people, and rage against the idea of ‘weird people doing weird shit.'” The magazine concluded by suggesting that Eminem seems to be “begging to get canceled by audiences who don’t think about him and have no idea he thinks about them.”
“He’s still young—barely into his fifties—but he takes a bizarre amount of pride in clinging to opinions he formed in his teens, and making those his whole point. Still blaming his problems on women, scared of trans folks, enraged by the idea of weird people doing weird shit, still moaning about his mom? He begs to get canceled by audiences who don’t think about him and have no idea he thinks about them.”
— Rolling Stone on The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)
This range of critical opinions reflects the complex, often polarizing nature of The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), an album that is as much a reflection on Eminem’s past as it is a statement on his current artistic stance.