Guess who’s back, back again … For Eminem‘s latest trick – a cut entitled “Houdini” – he’s stepping back in time.
The first offering from his imminent new album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), “Houdini” pays homage to the rapper’s early aughts heyday.
While the track opens up with the “Without Me” refrain, it’s the Rich Lee-directed visual in which Eminem’s legacy lore becomes the major focal point. The video opens with Eminem entering a portal, exiting the other side as his younger, blond-haired self. Calling back to the 2002 track in its comic strip-inspired aesthetic – with the rapper also donning the same Robin costume he wore in the “Without Me” visual – the clip also makes reference to the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards with its influx of “wannabee” Slim Shadys.
However, the faux-Shadys are not the only cameo present in the star-studded visual. First in the lineup comes the rapper’s longtime tour manager Paul Rosenberg.
“Hey, Em, it’s Paul. Uh, I was listening to the album. Good f*cking luck, you’re on your own,” he opens the track before the infamous “Without Me” refrain kicks in.
Later on, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Shane Gillis, 50 Cent, the Alchemist, and even Pete Davidson also appear in the story.
Lyrically, Slim also points to Megan Thee Stallion in a bar, pondering “If I was to ask for Megan Thee Stallion if she would collab with me, would I really have a shot at a feat?” Not to mention, the track also interpolates an unlikely yet aptly named sample: “Abracadabra” from The Steve Miller Band.
Check out the music video in the gallery above, and stream “Houdini” on all DSPs now.
