Remember Eminem? For a while, he was everywhere and then he just kind of disappeared from the public eye. He did go into recovery for drug addiction for a while, so there’s that. Em hasn’t released a new album since 2013’s The Marshall Mathers LP 2 and was last heard from musically as a contributor on the Big Sean track “No Favors,” where he calls #45 a bitch, says he took a wee on Fergie and slams Ann Coulter. In other words, the guy hasn’t lost his edge just because he’s been absent from the recording studio.
The 44-year-old rapper, birth name Marshall Mathers, made a rare public appearance on Friday to promote the HBO documentary series The Defiant Ones. The 4-part series, which debuts on July 9, tells the story of the unlikely musical partnership of producers Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre, who Em worked extensively with during his musical career. Em didn’t walk the red carpet, but did mix and mingle with the event’s attendees, who included Diddy, Pharrell Williams, Jared Leto and Trent Reznor. He posted a pic on Instagram with Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre with the caption “Just a couple of guys from Compton and one from Detroit. With a beard.” Yep, Em ditched the bleach bottle, debuting brunette hair and a beard at the event.
It seems his fans are digging the new look. Some of the comments included, “You aged perfectly like fine wine!!! I loved you then but I think you’re so much sexier now” and “Just the right amount of facial hair.” One fan got right to the point, calling the rapper, “Sexy AF.” Short and sweet. I think he looks fine. Fine as in okay. I never thought he was trying to be a sex symbol, and I never thought of him as one, but the beard works for him – and I’m sure his hair appreciates the break from the bleach. I’m also glad he’s stayed sober (he’s wearing a necklace with the Alcoholics Anonymous symbol on it). After hearing “No Favors,” I am kind of looking forward to more tunes from him. And, if you’re in England, you can catch him in concert this summer. He’s booked a couple of gigs in August, including the Leeds Festival. Wonder if he’ll be taking this new look on the road.
Photos: Getty Images, WENN.com
I remember being in the car with my mother (queen of the talbots sweater set) and listening to Eminem and her saying “it’s a shame he’s so vulgar because he really is quite clever” and it is all I think of when I see him!
I would. It would be a shame-lay, but I still would.
Me too, but with zero shame
Me, too. *hangs my head*
Me too. No shame. Pass him to me
Not even an ounce of shame, I would let him sleep over, AND have breakfast in public the next morning.
*sigh*
He looks better without facial hair. It looks as if he added the beard on his face with a pencil. Something is off about that beard. I do like the dark hair though.
I won’t go into trashing him now since he has been off the radar for so long and is doing really good work in Flint. I will save it for if he decides to make a comeback and brings back that misogynist persona that he had before he disappeared.
He doesn’t look healthy. Some people are just meant to be blonde.
Corey – he’s playing the Reading and Leeds Festival. One festival, 2 venues. Artists play twice
I am from the generation previous to the rise of rap music, so I did not care then or now about it, but Eminem is kind of cute though. I like him better without the facial hair. If Eminem disapproves of Ann Coulter I love him. Anybody who disagrees with Coulter or Trump is my friend.
He already disapproved of George W. Bush back in the day and made some good songs about it. 😉
He had me at calling 45 the B word.
I like his new look. He’s almost unrecognizable with dark hair and the facial hair but I think it suits him.
looking forward to this doc series!
I was at the premiere and it is AMAZING. Don’t miss it. If you are a music fan there are so many great stories about the making of famous albums from Patti Smith, Bruce springsteen, I could go on and on. And the story of Jimmy and Dre is just incredible.
I saw Eminem in person and did not recognize him. He looked great. Also, looks like Liberty Ross laid off some of the botox. Was not so hard faced.
Im glad he’s found a healthy way away from his demons. He seems to have done really well by his daughters-Hailey is at Michigan State, and you never hear a peep about the other one (Lainey?)
So torn over Eminem, always. He’s extremely talented but the way he talks about women is disgusting and abusive. And then he turns around and says, “Oh it’s just a persona, I’m just kidding, HA HA I wasn’t kidding you fell for it losers, oh wait lol yeah I was kidding.” He’s crazy talented but I can’t get past the really damaging homophobia and misogyny
he curbed the homophobia, there was a really interesting interview with him about the use of homophobic slurs and the intent of it in rap music. but yeah he’s still hella homophobic, I’m by no means a supporter of Iggy Azalea, but the rap about raping her was just straight up disgusting. (which was, by the way, Corey, the last time he was in the headlines)
He looks good and sober which is important. And reportedly he took a break to raise his daughters (one who is his niece I think) which I can appreciate. His oldest graduated so he did good there.
Who knew Elton John of all people would get his head on straight. Still amazed by that friendship
He looks good and healthy. I used to think a beard would age him, but it really doesn’t. He looks the same…but with a beard, ha.
I didn’t even recognize him. I’ve always thought he was a sexy cutie. Looking great while he ages and is healthy. I’m not rap fan, but I think his lyrics are sometimes funny and I enjoy listening to his music
I hate his pinched face, whiny voice, and annoying lyrics. The phrase “mom’s spaghetti” does not belong in a song. Living in Michigan, it was hard to escape him during my teenage years. I really do not get why people are into him.
Ditto
He is HOT and I LOVE him! Zero shame..
The beard can’t hide the Botox!
44??? He’s 44??????!!!
God, I feel so old.
I’d hit it a few times and let him stay for breakfast. YUM!
He’s hot . I would love to get with him.