Eminem back to the lab for new album :: Music News :: Articles

When Marshall Mathers debuted The Eminem Show in 2002, critics watched in rapt attention. By the time he came back for his Encore in '04, the crits were starting to head for the door. Then when he tried to curate a mixtape last year, press folks were straight up sprinting in the opposite direction. But Eminem's itching to lure them back.

In an interview with New York's renowned hip-hop station Hot 97, Em confirmed that he's hard at work on new material, both as a solo artist and in collaboration with members of his Shady Records label.

"I'm always working -- I'm always in the studio," he said, adding that he had to overcome some "personal things" to get back to recording.

Despite his critical downturn, Eminem releases continue to dominate commercially. Encore hit the top spot on the Billboard charts, while The Re-Up reached No. 2. Although there's no official release date for what would be his fifth official solo album, it should be one of the most anticipated releases of the coming year. Given the poor showing that Em protege 50 Cent's new release has made on the charts, it might be up to Detroit's great white hope to move the units for Interscope Records.

Got news tips for Paste? Email news@pastemagazine.com.