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Guess who’s back, back again? Shady’s back — and this might be his grand finale.

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Eminem has just released his latest single, “Houdini,” on Friday, May 31, marking the debut track from his highly anticipated upcoming album, *The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)*. The new release has fans buzzing, and for good reason.

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The music video for “Houdini,” which dropped alongside the single, begins with a nod to the past. The 51-year-old rap icon is shown in bed, receiving a phone call from Dr. Dre, reminiscent of his 2002 hit “Without Me.” The track even kicks off with the familiar lyrics, “Guess who’s back, back again/Shady’s back, tell a friend,” creating an instant bridge between the old and new.

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As the story unfolds, Dre informs Eminem that a portal to 2002 has opened, bringing a younger version of Slim Shady to the present day. This younger Eminem, sporting his signature bleached blond hair, steps into 2024, creating a surreal meeting of past and present. The video masterfully blends comic book-style visuals, much like “Without Me,” and sees Eminem donning his superhero suit once more. The two Shadys navigate the modern world, with the older version reflecting on his younger self and the evolution of his life and career.

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In the chorus of “Houdini,” Eminem raps, "Abra-abracadabra (And for my last trick)/I'm 'bout to reach in my bag, bruh (Like)/Abra-abracadabra (And for my last trick, poof)/Just like that and I'm back, bro," encapsulating the magic-themed concept of the album. The video features a slew of celebrity cameos, including 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, and comedian Shane Gillis, all appearing in comic book-style segments. A climactic scene showcases a battle between the older and younger Eminem, culminating in their fusion into a singular figure, sporting longer, bleached blonde hair. The video wraps up with a humorous cameo by Pete Davidson, who, also bleached blond, offers Eminem a ride and quips, "Don't worry, I just got my license back."

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In the days leading up to the release, Eminem teased fans with the single’s cover art, featuring a magician in a Jason Voorhees hockey mask, making an electrified microphone float. The cover’s tagline, “Guess who’s back? And for my last trick…” hinted at the rapper’s thematic focus on magic and possibly the final chapter of his alter ego, Slim Shady. Adding to the intrigue, Eminem released a video featuring magician David Blaine, asking, “How far can we go with this magic? Like, can we do like a stunt or something? Well for my last trick, I’m gonna make my career disappear.”

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The forthcoming album, *The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)*, promises to be a significant moment in Eminem’s career. Known for his alter ego, Slim Shady, since 1997’s *Slim Shady EP*, Eminem’s early hits like “My Name Is” introduced the world to this controversial persona. Earlier this month, a fake obituary for Slim Shady appeared in the Detroit Free Press, further fueling speculation about the end of this era. The obituary highlighted Shady’s impact and controversial legacy, stating that his debut “exposed the young artist and his lyrics to a wider audience” but hinted at an unresolved and dramatic conclusion.

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*The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)* will be Eminem’s first album since 2020’s *Music to Be Murdered By*. As the rap legend continues to evolve, fans eagerly await to see how he will conclude the story of Slim Shady and what magical surprises he has in store with his new music. Stay tuned, because if “Houdini” is any indication, Eminem’s final act might just be his most unforgettable yet.

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