Eminem’s music videos come in two basic flavors: silly or serious. His new clip for “Not Afraid,” the first single from June 22′s Recovery, is definitely the latter, and it’s full of call-backs to previous entries in this section of his video canon. The first half of the video cuts back and forth between a windy rooftop (shades of “The Way I Am”) and a grimy 8 Mile-style basement. Eminem paces and gesticulates, as we’ve seen him do so many times before. We are to understand that he is once again at wit’s end with the world, full of barely contained energy that he’s not yet sure how to direct.
Eventually Eminem begins walking the streets, where he finds a creepy hall of mirrors and, later, a gaping crater in the asphalt. (Preserved amid the wreckage is a billboard for Beats by Dre headphones. Nice product placement.) He stops walking. This is where he is needed. He dives into the hole, again recalling “The Way I Am.” He begins to fly. The streets fill with light as he rushes by. The music swells. Super-Eminem will save us all from ourselves with his motivational rhymes!
Is this Eminem’s greatest video? Probably not, but it does do a great job of matching the redemptive vibe of “Not Afraid.” Check out the clip after the jump (some NSFW language) and let us know what you think.
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Awesome video . Cant wait for the album
More raps making fun of celebs, and his momma, and his wife, and little girl. Funny thing is that his little girl will be just like his mom and wife. Rappers are all the same.
Dear lord. You obviously didn’t listen to the song
What? I second Akin.
did you listen to it at all like a single word of the song?
Wow Jay do you even listen to lyrics? Typical…
Why dont you listen to the song and then comment?
that has NOTHING to do with this song. this song is deep and encouraging. this isnt one of his funny songs, its serious. he isnt making fun of anyone. but youd know that if you listened to it!
Eim’s lyrics, his facial expressions, his dance moves-he is the real thing. I am not a fan of most rap, but a HUGE fan of Eiminem’s!!! I am happy to hear he got “clean” and off of prescription drugs and booze. I am definitely buying the CD. Good luck there-Slim Shady
:)
I like it s lot..Can’t wait for the album to drop!
my favourite line is “manning up gunna face my demons ” not his best but more hopefull than relapse .
I liked Relapse. A tad dark, but so is life, right? Can’t wait for Recovery.
who cares about eminem anymore the
guys a douchebag
Well you must care if you had time to click onto this page the only douchebag is you.
You’re a douchebag; and everybody cares about eminem; go back and listen to your soulja boy and lil kim music (hoodrat) while real people listen to real music
im sorry he is not cool like you man.
Who cares about Eminem anymore? lmao Relapse was the best selling rap album of the year, won him two grammy awards, and look at the chart positions for it #1 in almost every country. This song debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. So yea that should answer your question. Eminem is a legend and the best rapper alive. One of the greats.
he is actually one of the few decent rappers in mainstream right now and his albums always do very well…
so i am pretty sure plenty of people care about him.
he’s as amazing as ever
your right he is
Huh, makes me miss Heroes when that one guy used to actually fly once in awhile. Anywho, I always like Em’s songs with a sing-y chorus. I can take or leave his other, more censor-y songs.
Hey, trumps Xtina’s latest efforts for sure.
How can a rapper trump a female pop singer. That makes no sense.
well, he trump britney spears and any other artist from all other genres to win artist of the decade
Great video! Can’t wait for recovery!
Eminem is a lesbian.
How is he a lesbian when he was married and has a kid. Eminem is the best rapper ever alive i love his music.
your an idiot he is my favorite rapper and he is on top of the world
it IS eminem’s greatest video, it has every element. all his previous videos were great (most of them). but this one had symbolization, climax, forshadowing, story sequence, inspiration, passion, energy. it was crazy.
Sorry, but you are very wrong… Stan is and will always be his greatest music video.
I’m not a die hard Em fan, I like certain songs of his, not so much the comedy one’s but the serious and meaningful one’s. If this first single and video is anything to go by, the Recovery album is a 2010 must. This is truly classic Eminem work.
U know I gotta say this Definitely was The Best Eminem video in a long While, it’s better than the Beautiful video . It has everything & is very well directed . Is it the Best Em’s Best ever video ? No , It’s soooo hard to top the Lose Yourself Video . But Easily one of the best & my Best Video of 2010 .
go suk a fat one eminem, we all know how you like it up the bun. This be rick ross, ima shet al ova u mofo
It IS RICK ROSS
Remember the name biarch. Go suka fat one em
Speak english, fool
a fat one told em to succ a fat one…ironic
Glad to have Marshall back… I knew he still had it in him just was wondering when he would show up and wow us all once again. If this cd is like this song then I can’t wait. I also heard he is doing something with Pink. You do you Em and will wait to follow.
Everyone’s arguing but as far as I can tell they’re not listening – this is very moving. How many artists are willing to give us such insight into their souls?
I think i have seen this video about 10 times now and it only came out on Saturday, had me waiting up all night for it.. hours well spent
I heard this song months ago and fell in love with it, glad to say i fell in love with the video too. Fantastic story, camera effects and feeling. Its difficult to get music that inspires people anymore. Wow, if Em’s music keeps getting better, he’s still gunna be rapping into his 50′s! And i’ll still be routing for him, Love you EM!! xx