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Eminem Goes Dark on Killer Second “Relapse” Single, “3AM”

4/24/09, 11:27 am EST

Photo: Lovekin/Getty

When Eminem told fans listening to his Sirius XM radio station Shade45 yesterday that Relapse’s second single “3AM” has a darker tone than the snarky “We Made You,” he wasn’t joking. In fact, “darker” is an understatement — “3AM,” which leaked late yesterday, casts Eminem as a serial killer as he drops the choppy rhyme “It’s 3 a.m. in the morning, put my key in the door, bodies laying all over the floor and I don’t know how they got there, but I guess I must have killed them.” Em said he already filmed a video for the single in his native Detroit, but considering the grisly nature of the lyrics, the clip may be destined for an R rating. (Hear the track at Rap Radar.)

“3AM” features some of Em’s classic, wickedly witty wordplay: Kicking off with the line “I remember the first time I dismembered a family member,” there’s a verse about how Slim strangles his cousin with Christmas lights, cuts him up into little pieces and drinks his blood. Then as a bridge between two verses, Em quotes the creepiest line from Silence of the Lambs, “She puts the lotion in the bucket, she puts the lotion on the skin, or else she gets the hose again.” Em has also developed some kind of crush on Kim Kardashian, name-checking the reality star (and her ass) in both “We Made You” and this track. Kim, maybe double-lock your door — you do share a name with someone Em has rhymed about murdering before.

Eminem’s serial killer fetish first came to light when 50 Cent revealed that a track featuring Em called “Norman Bates Motel,” a reference to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, would appear on Fiddy’s Before I Self-Destruct. Despite the grisly lyrics, “3AM” does boast an awesome Dr. Dre beat, and Slim Shady’s dexterous cadence is evidence of the extra time he was given experimenting with his prose while Dre alleviated the pressure of producing Relapse. Still, if Em’s claim that “3AM” mirrors the overall tone of Relapse is true, we’ll need a night light to make it through this album when it hits stores May 19th.

Daniel Kreps

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Comments

StrummerJones | 4/24/2009, 11:54 am EST

Much better. I knew he had killer material behind that silly first single that he always releases.

Denton | 4/24/2009, 1:04 pm EST

So, no more Weird Al posing from Em?

Harm410city | 4/24/2009, 1:24 pm EST

Wow..Em came off like Em in this track…”We Made You” is a poor choice for a first single..he already has our attention he doesnt need anymore parody songs..its time to just show your skills that we know you have Em! Keep flowing like u did on this track and youll be giving the people what they want…Much Success

DannyBoy

JUSTIN | 4/24/2009, 1:26 pm EST

How Is This A Dedication 2 Proof?
But This Song Is A 10/10

I hope The Whole CD Sounds Like This. This Song Makes “We Made You” Sound Even Better!

His Prince Michael | 4/24/2009, 1:27 pm EST

Son, does the tired, played-out,
weakness EVER end?

wow | 4/24/2009, 1:48 pm EST

ya this is the true art form and story tellin of hip hop..its creative, lyrical, and artistic. a lot of people that arent feelin em.. jus need to readjust

What | 4/24/2009, 2:42 pm EST

Ooo yes. Shady is back! Its 3am in the mawwnin!

better than Encore | 4/24/2009, 3:20 pm EST

this song is better than anything
off of encore, so that is promising….
REMEMBER PEOPLE THERE ARE TWO CD’S DROPPING THIS YEAR!
now that is fu-king sick!

nano | 4/24/2009, 4:14 pm EST

wow marshall iz back. remember slim shady iz “I DONT GIVE A %$#@” marshall maters iz “BIT$H IMMA KILL”. now if u r a em fan u would kno he foolz around in hiz first single n later…….well u already kno it

unfinished_narrative | 4/24/2009, 4:49 pm EST

This is one of Em’s better singles. It’s really great. Some insane rhymes. I hope Relapse is more like this than “We Made You”. “We Made You” doesn’t suck, but it doesn’t rock either. It just merely exists.

nikole | 4/24/2009, 4:52 pm EST

both songs that have come out (we made u & 3am) are AMAZING! true eminem lyrics and beats. if you are a true em fan u KNOW that these songs are up there with the best of ‘em. he wouldn’t put them out otherwise. CANT WAIT FOR THE CD!!!! (and the new movie!!!!) wooop de woooooop

meh | 4/24/2009, 5:35 pm EST

Eminem…. yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwww wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnn nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. ……….
Snooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooozzzzzzzeeeeeeeee e…..

“Make your body waddle”…….
Terrible, just terrible.

BONGO T FLAVA SAVA | 4/24/2009, 6:14 pm EST

Weak.

Anonymous | 4/24/2009, 6:28 pm EST

How many chords does Eminem know how to play on the guitar?

Just wondering…

EMIN3M | 4/24/2009, 6:33 pm EST

the 3AM is a sick song.cant wait for the relapse 1 & 2

StrummerJones | 4/24/2009, 6:35 pm EST

Eminem doesn’t play guitar.

Probably about ten more than Johnny Ramone, though.

luis teague | 4/24/2009, 7:45 pm EST

yeah…great role model…a musical milestone from somebody who can’t play an instrument…its nice to see ‘em’ continue to get press when he inspires misogynistic nihilism.Hes man of the year…why cant American get really excited for somebody whos em’s superior, like Dizzee Rascal?

Abraham Simpson | 4/24/2009, 7:57 pm EST

Why would Eminem care to play guitar?He is not in a rock band u dopes.His instrument is his words.Rythm And (his) Poetry=RAP.

wowyourethatguy | 4/24/2009, 8:09 pm EST

don’t be that snobby guitar guy. just saying…

love the song btw, it’s great Music.

betterthanyourfavartist | 4/24/2009, 8:48 pm EST

Can your favorite guitar artist write as well as Eminem?

Oh, yeah, a guitarist doesn’t need to know how to write. And a rapper doesn’t need to know how to play guitar..

See how it works? Fuckin’ idiot.

DrZ | 4/24/2009, 11:09 pm EST

Dull…This makes “3AM Eternal by KLF sound like “Stairway to Heaven”.

Anonymous | 4/24/2009, 11:37 pm EST

If you can’t sing, or play an instrument, you have absolutely no business having a record contract.

You want to write brilliant words, fine, go write a fucking book.

ex em fan | 4/24/2009, 11:46 pm EST

i think em is still thinking of his wife Kim, he keeps mention that name for her i think..

and about the lyrics of this song, i don’t like it…
even Touch my hand by david archuleta is catchier than this in my opinion!!

Mike | 4/25/2009, 12:44 am EST

I love Eminem a lot, but I just can’t get into that new weird voice he does in these songs and on some of the Encore songs. Just use your normal voice, Marshall. This is a great song, just the voice bothers me a little.

j45 | 4/25/2009, 3:44 am EST

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEE
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
EEEEE EEE
EEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEE
EEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEE
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEE
EEEEE EEE
EEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
EEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEE
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEE
The King is back

kiran,bekarjue | 4/25/2009, 4:05 am EST

hi sir,
u r voice rap our heart
thanks for it

Multiplatinum comin up | 4/25/2009, 6:34 am EST

Shady’s a beast. Say what you want, but Em’s doing 10000 times better than what’s out there AT THE MOMENT. You know it.
Love the song!

ms | 4/25/2009, 6:42 am EST

yeah, you did this before em, on your first release. writers’ block much?

The One | 4/25/2009, 12:26 pm EST

Whatever he rhymin is great , because he is the number one !
Just wait for the rest of the album .

The One | 4/25/2009, 12:30 pm EST

Whatever he rhymin is great even 3am , its something new from king mathers !

OK then | 4/25/2009, 1:12 pm EST

I listened to this tune and did not feel it to be as good as the first material he released … the first bits of material was when he was hungry – these lyrics now are not amazing

notdavidarchuleta | 4/25/2009, 2:31 pm EST

to be fair, i don’t think em was concerned with making this particular song catchy.

Carol" | 4/25/2009, 3:17 pm EST

“If you can’t sing, or play an instrument, you have absolutely no business having a record contract.

You want to write brilliant words, fine, go write a fucking book.”

So are you saying that people who write brilliant lyrics for SINGERS shouldn’t be writing SONGS? That all lyrics should be less than brilliant? Because that’s definitely what you’re implying.

Your definition of a “record contract” needs to be reconsidered. You’re basically saying that all rappers should not be allowed to make money off of their music. But if people who can’t play an instrument should be allowed to make money off of their singer, why shouldn’t rappers be allowed to make money off of rapping?

Asking “How many guitar chords does Eminem know?” is like asking, “At how many different speeds can Christina Aguilera match her words to the beat?” or “How many polysyllabic words can she rhyme within a verse?” or “How much assonance and alliteration can she apply to one line?” Because her work is not based around her literary techniques, judging her by her ability to use them is irrelevant.

You brought up a red herring. If you want to bring up an argument, don’t use logical fallacies.

colbyord | 4/25/2009, 9:23 pm EST

this cd is sounding pretty lame. lame ass silly voice. kim is just a ho get some game eminem

WOW PEOPLE | 4/26/2009, 12:16 am EST

WHEN HE TRIES SOMETHING NEW LIKE “CRACK A BOTTLE” YOU COMPLAIN AND WHEN HE GOES BACK TO HIS OLD STYLE YOU COMPLAIN

iLly | 4/26/2009, 12:44 am EST

What Em does on this song has already been done by René Perez of Calle 13 on the song “John el Ezquizofrénico”. Go download it or listen to the 30-second preview on iTunes. You may always buy the whole album “Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo”, it’s amazing and I think Rolling Stone gave it 4 stars.

ed | 4/26/2009, 1:46 am EST

he really needs to cut it out with that new annoying voice. we made you and 3am would have been so much better without it

Andrew | 4/26/2009, 2:40 am EST

Em cant rap anymore. period. this is 1000 worse than when Jordan played for the wizards. he doesn’t even sound like the same person. Probaly the worst song ive ever heard. Horrible beat too. It’ll sell a lot of records though.

Quibbon | 4/26/2009, 3:33 am EST

“Crack a deviled egg fart”

Scott | 4/26/2009, 5:46 am EST

Addressing the people who are angry because Eminem does not know any guitar chords you are ignorant and who knows he may know a chord or two. Really not that hard, anyone can learn.

Jere | 4/26/2009, 9:47 am EST

His wordplay and flow hold up, but it sounds like he has nothing left to say.

Anonymous | 4/26/2009, 1:00 pm EST

What are you guys talking about? The new shit is amazing, better than a lot of rap out there. He IS the king and he still got a lot to talk about.

Quibbon | 4/26/2009, 9:32 pm EST

“Better than a lot of rap out there” That’s not saying much.

phinish him | 4/27/2009, 5:53 am EST

This is the slim shady voice if anyone know em they know he has two personalitys and the crazy voice and shit he talks is all just slim spittin. You want real shit listen to marshall mathers. This is entertaining which he does best

sam | 4/27/2009, 9:59 am EST

em is the king of rap no dout

iLly | 4/27/2009, 10:39 am EST

You are right. I just realized that isn’t saying much. But he still the best.

Thy Sanctum | 4/27/2009, 10:49 am EST

Em is going the gothic route. I can pretty much gaurantee that most of the people who don’t like this song are black. This is white music at its best.

yo | 4/27/2009, 11:11 am EST

personally you guys arent payingattention to the lyrcs and also the beat….you got to put yourself in the position and then you will get into the full effect of the song…trust me and we made you is acctually a very clever song just be the song

jake | 4/27/2009, 12:04 pm EST

Magazines publish these photos of this buffoon looking serious and dark. Almost like he’s contemplating his next amazing lyric. As if he’s creating art, art as important as Dylan or the Beatles. It’s a joke…he’s a joke. A cartoon character at best. After the last moronic video he is now truly the “clown prince of hip-hop”…not an easy title to obtain considering the competition

His Prince Michael | 4/27/2009, 1:45 pm EST

HipHop has been DEAD, since around
2000. Cause? Self-inflicted FOOLS.

David A. | 4/27/2009, 2:00 pm EST

Love it. Haters vanish. Em is the king! How many of the legends achieved their status through their SINGLES? Listen to the album. You idiots act like you don’t know what to expect from this man going into the songs!?! If you don’t like what he has to offer than stay away…

Rory | 4/27/2009, 3:42 pm EST

Dizzee Rascak rules…Em sucks.

Cat the man | 4/27/2009, 3:45 pm EST

Dizzee Rascal is kinda like “The Godfather”…Em is much like the popular movie that gets all the attention for all the wrong reasons…Dizzee mis much more heartfelt, unique and, well, less oppressive.Em gets glorified for basically being the musical equivalent of a child molester.But what do you expect with no standards anymore…

kfawv | 4/27/2009, 4:15 pm EST

come on! are you serious? This new eminem crap is going to make soooooo much money….god help us all!!!!

Chase Long | 4/27/2009, 7:09 pm EST

Both singles prove that when Mathers was really pissed off back in ‘The Eminem Show’ era he wrote better lyrics, made better beats, and rapped with true conviction to his craft of spitting controversy into everyone’s face. I have a horrible feeling about this upcoming album.

Jscrilla | 4/28/2009, 12:10 am EST

hatas can keep hatin but the fact is this upcoming album is still gonna sale more money then u could imagine

TS | 4/28/2009, 7:04 am EST

come on RS, i’m someone who tries to defend rock/pop critics against rap snobs who think you guys don’t know anything about the genre, but both the Em singles are garbage. if you think this song is impressive technically or musically you haven’t listened to enough good rap. dude cannot flow anymore, and hasn’t been able to since “Encore.”

iLly | 4/28/2009, 7:10 am EST

Eminem rules and so does Satan.

HellRell | 4/28/2009, 9:06 am EST

I like cheese wantoms because the skt is pretty at nights, but also becaus eit is 5 30 in the morining

HellRell | 4/28/2009, 9:06 am EST

I like cheese wantoms because the skt is pretty at nights, but also becaus eit is 5 30 in the morining

Diablo | 4/28/2009, 9:41 am EST

Those of you who have posted negative comments: Read his biography. Read about the shit childhood Eminem has endured, I guarantee you demeaning people have not had one day that compares to his troubled life. If you knew that pain you would not post such negative comments. He has an intellect that is rare which is why he is rich and famous and you are NOT. He is not out to please you.

minus the cynic | 4/28/2009, 9:45 am EST

still have to check out three am we made u is interesting material from eminem hes still poking fun at people and triumph the insult dog gets another round of vocal usage seriously em must owe whoever created triumph heaps of money by now its interesting to see slim shady has made a comeback i wondered if his alter ego had died out encore had some weird stuff on it esp recording ur own vomit weird but like toy soldiers and when im gone was dope eminem show was dope especially cleaning out my closet also on the eight mile soundtrack lose urself is definitely my fave em song of his newbies of course i love his first album infinite when he was a christian rapper i wish he would go back to rapping for Jesus but ill keep on praying for him God can do miracles i heard he got back with kim so im happy for him i heard he was dating mariah that was kinda weird not like him i still think he never should of made that diss song against african american girls but it seems the american public has forgiven him so i will too Jesus definitely already has so yeah im kinda off topic but eminem is on point and rockin the joint no doubt pink already paid out jessica simpson the best with her video stupid girls nothing new on that tip kim kardassian is obviously not a man eminem looks funny with eighties blonde rock hair i wonder how hed make it if he revamped his image as a country hick still hes dope with the mean lyrics no doubt about it funny how so many rappers talk about bein rock stars but african americans invented the term rock and roll as a pseudonymn for sex peace

David A. | 4/28/2009, 10:27 am EST

Most of this negativity is just idiotic. At least acknowledge that the rhyme scheme is ten times more complicated than anything I have heard in a while… the content is for the right audience but the flow should be appreciated by all!

I’m just a hooligan who’s used to using hallucinogens, causing illusions again
Brain contusions again, cutting and bruising the skin; razors, scissors, and pens; Jesus when does it end
Mazes that I go through, gazed and I’m so confused, days that I don’t know who, gave these molecules too
Me, what am I gon’ do. Hey! the prodigal son. The diabolical one, very methodical when I slaughter them..

AHHAH CRAZY! RELAPSE MAY 19th!

David | 4/28/2009, 9:06 pm EST

You guys are crazy to say that Em has writer’s block. These lyrics and rhymes are amazing! This song is awesome!

Cicero | 4/29/2009, 2:33 am EST

Does anyone else want to mention the Hannah Montana reference?

And come guys, you can criticize the guy for being too much about the spectacle and going over the top, but you can’t ignore that the dude can flow. The song is brilliant, even though it’s totally sick. Just like We Made You is a tribute of disgust to the modern “stars” with intentional crassness, this song intends to shock listeners and actually generate a bit of internal outrage in a desensitized culture.

Memento | 4/29/2009, 6:17 am EST

Innovation takes time to be understood. All you people out there saying hip-hop is dead, you just left hip-hop die in your minds…
Suckers