Eminem Declares Slim Shady Alter Ego Dead in Detroit Newspaper Obituary Ahead of New Album

“His complex and tortured existence has come to a close,” an obituary in Detroit Free Press states ahead of Eminem’s ‘The Death of Slim Shady’ album

An obituary for Eminem’s rap alter ego, Slim Shady, appeared in a Detroit newspaper
The Grammy-winning rap superstar is releasing his twelfth studio album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), this summer
The project features production credits from the rapper’s longtime mentor, Dr. Dre

Rest in Peace to Eminem’s Slim Shady.

A fake obituary for the Marshall Mathers LP artist’s, 51, twisted rap alter ego — which has been a part of his career since his 1997 Slim Shady and 1999 The Slim Shady LPs — appeared in the Detroit Free Press on Monday, May 13, per Complex, declaring him dead ahead of Eminem’s twelfth studio album, The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), dropping this summer.

The headline for the obituary reads, “Slim Shady Made Lasting Impressions,” while its subheading states, “fans will never forget controversial rapper.”

“A product of Detroit who began his career there as a rogue splinter in the flourishing underground rap scene of the mid to late 1990s, Shady first became a household name in 1999 with the debut of his playfully deranged single ‘My Name Is,’” the piece eulogized, “which — along with its uniquely eye catching video — exposed the young artist and his lyrics to a wider audience.”

Eminem performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California.Kevin C. Cox/Getty

The obituary continued by saying, “Ultimately, the very things that seemed to be the tools he used became calling cards that defined an existence that could only come to a sudden and horrific end. His complex and tortured existence has come to a close, and the legacy he leaves behind is no closer to resolution than the manner in which this character departed this world.”

“May he truly find the peace in an afterlife that he could not find on Earth,” it concludes.

The theatrical obituary rollout arrives just a few weeks after Eminem’s new album announcement, which he unveiled on April 25 with an Instagram teaser that aired right before his 2024 NFL Draft appearance in his hometown of Detroit. The project marks the 15-time Grammy winner’s first full-length release since 2020’s Music to Be Murdered By, which he dropped as a surprise that January.

The clip, featured as part of the fictional Detroit Murder Files, starts with a true crime reporter announcing the death of “the blond anti-hero” Slim Shady, who, “through his complex and oft-criticized, tongue-twisting rhymes,” has had “no shortage of enemies.”

Eminem’s longtime friend and collaborator, 50 Cent, makes a cameo next to say Slim Shady is, in fact, “not a friend, he’s a psychopath.”

“The same rude lyrics and controversial antics may have ultimately led to his demise,” the reporter adds of Eminem’s persona. “Join me as we recreate the events that led to the murder of Slim Shady.”

Eminem makes a quick appearance towards the end to say he knew the downfall of his alter-ego was always fated. “It was only a matter of time for Slim,” he proclaims.

Eminem performs during the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in June 2018 in Manchester, Tennessee.C Flanigan/WireImage

Few details are still known about Eminem’s The Death of Slim Shady. However, the Recovery rapper and dad of three’s mentor, Dr. Dre, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in March to tease a few tidbits. “Eminem is working on his own album, which is coming out this year,” the producer, who has production credits on the forthcoming project, shared.

“He said it was OK for me to make an announcement right here on the show,” he added. “I’m actually going to get the entire album for the first time tomorrow … I haven’t even heard anything complete that I’ve done, but I’m going to hear it, and he’s putting out an album in 2024.”