Rapper Eminem, who has won the Grammy Award fifteen times, released a new surprise album on Thursday night, “Music to Be Murdered By”. The release is an accompaniment to the 11th studio album containing 16 new songs, including a slanted track “Zeus”, in which the rapper apologizes to Rihanna for her controversial lyrics about Chris Brown, which appeared in 2019.
The new lyrics read: “But, me, as long as I promise to be honest again / And with all my heart, sorry, Rihanna,” he raps. “For that song that flowed, I’m sorry, Ri / It wasn’t meant to hurt you. Anyway, it was wrong for me.”
In 2019, an original verse by Eminem was leaked, in which the Detroit rapper was heard saying: “Of course I’m on Chris Brown’s side / I’d beat **** too”. Eminem referred to the murder assault, Chris Brown pleaded guilty to following the altercation between Rihanna, his then-girlfriend, in 2009. Brown was sentenced to five years probation and community service.
Eminem’s words were striking for the fans, because Rihanna and Eminem collaborated on several projects over the years and obtained the place no. 1 in the Billboard rap charts in 2010 for their song, “Love the Way You Lie”. The two were also tour colleagues after completing their Monster tournament in 2014.
Eminem addresses several other issues throughout his album, ranging from the coronavirus pandemic to the Black Lives Matter movement. The lyricist also mentions former NFL quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick, as well as convicted sex offenders. Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby and accused the sex offender R. Kelly.