I just finished probably one of the most stirring videos I’ve seen in some time. It wasn’t Gladiator, Patriot, or even the Green Mile. The video is from a most unlikely producer. I’ve witnessed a side of an artist that we fail to see in the midst of media hype. After little over 6 minutes I have new respect, if that is the right word, or maybe compassion for Marshall Mathers. No, I don’t mean Eminem. Marshall is the man behind the mask. Marshall is the man you don’t see on stage. Marshall is a husband and a father. I know very little about the Real Slim Shady, his background or lifestyle. I know probably as much as what is in the tabloids. Most of which are only half truths.
In his new video, When I’m gone, you see the inner struggle that Marshall faces, a Marshall who is pulled between the responsibility and glitz of success and the responsibility to love and care for his family. I want to believe that the lyrics of the song and complementing images of the video are a strong echo to what is on the inside.
The video starts with Marshall at a men’s support meeting, mostly working class, sharing their stories of how they need to change (much like an AA meeting). Marshall is just waiting to for his turn. He takes the podium and releases his story through his rhymes. Marshall describes how he’s taken his family for granted and traded his two daughters for hundreds of thousands of fans. He’s waking up and realizing what he’s missing.
Does Marshall really want someone to just listen? Is he looking for guidance and doesn’t know where to turn? Is this video a call for help expressing what’s really going on inside, masked as another media marketing tool for his new album? Is he really willing destroy the Shady man he’s become to be the Man of his House, Husband to his Wife, and Father to his Daughter. If he is, then Marshall I’m praying for you.
I think we are often guilty at taking celebrities at face value, what you see in media. All we see is what is put on the screens, the radio, in the magazine, and newspapers. We judge them by their actions, words, music, movies, and (fill in the blank) ________. Sure Eminem is notorious for being rude, crude, and mostly offensive. But behind all the articles and photographs, there is a life that is being lived. There’s a life packed with joy, heartache, success, struggles, confidence and doubt; much like any John or Jane Doe in Suburbia or Countryville, USA.
In reality, we all have a Slim Shady at times, he’s our ego for success at work, our face in public, our smile in the group, hiding what is going on inside. But when the curtain closes and we go home, we’re back in reality and we see where we’ve failed and what we‘ve missed. So to keep from feeling like a failure in life we try to “stay on stage.”
I hope Marshall becomes the man he is seeking to be. I hope I can be the man I need to be.
Complete the post by watching the (edited) video for yourself in the Yahoo top 10 http://music.yahoo.com/.
In his new video, When I’m gone, you see the inner struggle that Marshall faces, a Marshall who is pulled between the responsibility and glitz of success and the responsibility to love and care for his family. I want to believe that the lyrics of the song and complementing images of the video are a strong echo to what is on the inside.
The video starts with Marshall at a men’s support meeting, mostly working class, sharing their stories of how they need to change (much like an AA meeting). Marshall is just waiting to for his turn. He takes the podium and releases his story through his rhymes. Marshall describes how he’s taken his family for granted and traded his two daughters for hundreds of thousands of fans. He’s waking up and realizing what he’s missing.Does Marshall really want someone to just listen? Is he looking for guidance and doesn’t know where to turn? Is this video a call for help expressing what’s really going on inside, masked as another media marketing tool for his new album? Is he really willing destroy the Shady man he’s become to be the Man of his House, Husband to his Wife, and Father to his Daughter. If he is, then Marshall I’m praying for you.
I think we are often guilty at taking celebrities at face value, what you see in media. All we see is what is put on the screens, the radio, in the magazine, and newspapers. We judge them by their actions, words, music, movies, and (fill in the blank) ________. Sure Eminem is notorious for being rude, crude, and mostly offensive. But behind all the articles and photographs, there is a life that is being lived. There’s a life packed with joy, heartache, success, struggles, confidence and doubt; much like any John or Jane Doe in Suburbia or Countryville, USA.
In reality, we all have a Slim Shady at times, he’s our ego for success at work, our face in public, our smile in the group, hiding what is going on inside. But when the curtain closes and we go home, we’re back in reality and we see where we’ve failed and what we‘ve missed. So to keep from feeling like a failure in life we try to “stay on stage.”
I hope Marshall becomes the man he is seeking to be. I hope I can be the man I need to be.
Complete the post by watching the (edited) video for yourself in the Yahoo top 10 http://music.yahoo.com/.
2 comments:
Interesting thoughts on Marshall. I'd like to see the video.
see things like this is why your my fav. youth pastor ever..
Post a Comment