My Tea's Gone Cold...

Every few weeks I put my iPod on shuffle and listen to every song in my library one by one. I find it's a good reminder of how much good music there is out there, and it's always amazing how many different emotions and memories a song can elicit on the listener.

In any case, I was listening to music and Eminem's Stan comes on. I was reminded of just how incredible this song is. Em always comes with a boatload of rhymes, which is why he is one of the top rappers in the game (top ten in order: Tupac, Biggie, Eminem, Jay-Z, Andre3000, Jadakiss, Cee-Lo, Ludacris, Scarface, Big Pun). But in this particular song, the emotion in which he tells his tale, is so incredibly unique for music these days. Back in the day, the old R&B singers used to make you feel their heartbreak or joy. The kind of raw emotion Lenny Williams sang with on Cause I love You. You don't get that with today's washed-out, auto-tuned, club friendly pop music.

Not to mention the fact Eminen creates an actual narrative, complete with character background and development. We can actually relate in some part with both Stan and Em in this song. One craving love and attention, and somebody that just understands him. The other, a victim of envy and celebrity who just wants to be left alone and not feel responsible for other people's lives. Those both seam like parts of the human condition to me, ones to which we are all afflicted.

I think this song is Eminem's crowning achievement. It's one of the best story rhymes ever (behind Biggie's Niggas Bleed). It's a great example of why rap music should considered great literature, the poetry of a generation which should be taught and studied in schools and Universities.

I encourage you to give it another listen if this small post hasn't inspired you to do so already...