Eminem Ready for Relapse

Rapper announces title for comeback album and single, plans to release by year's end

By David Jenison Oct 16, 2008 8:44 PMTags
EminemKevin Mazur / Getty Images

Eminem's done the rehab. Now it's time for the Relapse.

During an interview last night on his Sirius Satellite Radio channel, Shade 45, Eminem announced his forthcoming sixth album would be titled Relapse and include the track "I'm Having a Relapse."

While the rap superstar stopped short of announcing a release date, he has previously indicated it will drop by year's end, likely before pal 50 Cent's Before I Self Destruct on Dec. 9.

The Shade 45 interview, hosted by DJ Kayslay and Angela Yee, was part of an on-air party for Eminem's new book, The Way I Am, which goes on sale next Tuesday.

The new album, whose working titles reportedly included King Mathers and Em-Pact, is rumored to include collaborations with 50 Cent, DMX, Obie Trice and Cashis, among others. In a recent interview, current chart-topper T.I. said he also recorded a track with Em that included both artists' alter egos, T.I.'s dark side, T.I.P., and Em's Slim Shady.

Eminem's last studio album, Encore, came out four years ago, followed by the compilation Curtain Call: The Hits in 2005. Curtain Call, originally titled The Funeral, per early rumors, marked the start of Eminem's supposed retirement as a recording artist. But whispers of a comeback began just months later, when Eminem collaborated with Akon on the 2006 Grammy-nominated hit "Smack That."

Said Akon at the time, "Eminem told me he was getting bored with everything, which is why he took a break. But he's back working on an album."

Later that year, Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers III, appeared on the Shady Records compilation Eminem Presents the Re-Up. Then in September 2007, Eminem told NYC radio station Hot 97 that he was in fact working on new material, though he wasn't sure if he'd release it. During a Shade 45 interview this past September, the 35-year-old Oscar and Grammy winner finally confirmed a new album was in the works.

With album sales declining faster than the Dow Jones, retailers can take heart that the holiday season could see new albums by cohorts Eminem, 50 Cent and Dr. Dre. Earlier this week, Tony Yayo even upped the ante by telling MTV News that he's hoping for some kind of combo tour with G-Unit to follow.