Ok, before we hang our baskets too high and think we are looking down on Eminem, let's just look at this from the other side for a moment, can we? Or is this a fan site and it is not allowed to post the other side? As in, only the pro Adam perspective is the truth and nothing but the truth?
Well in any world outside of this fandom, Eminem's lyrics were either ignored, as they were never put into any major song or single, or, if they were even noted at all, the general observation was that the only reason Eminem could even be bothered talking about such low-lives as Clay Aiken and Adam Lambert, is because Adam had just before that, given Eminem (and the rest of the audience assembled) the FU finger at an awards show. Adam then said in interviews that his whole performance was just freedom of expression and art and that nobody should take that so seriously. Fair enough.
To which Eminem responded with his lyrics and decided to insult Adam in the name of art. Clay just got taken along for the ride. Eminem probably wanted to see (if he cared at all), whether Adam could take it as he was dishing it out, to which the answer is yes, because while some FANS were all over Eminem for writing this insult, Adam himself played it very cool.
He basically gave Eminem the same pass he had asked for himself and then, later, when he was asked about it directly, he just tweeted that Eminem was smart and that these lyrics surely had that double meaning not by accident. Otherwise he let it slide. And probably, on street level, that was the right way to react.
I think, some people need a bit a reality check. If two guys in the arts duke it out on their own terms, why do fans think they need to get in the middle of that? They are big boys, and don't need additional mommies. Well Eminem maybe (i'm kidding), but that is a different story.
Can we let Adam decide for himself who he wants to have a grudge at?
Secondly, looking at the bigger picture for Adam's career: If there is one thing that Adam needs to do, it is increase his fan base.
Eminem and his fan base is quite a step outside the usual for Adam, so it could get interesting. There are probably some Eminem fans, who picked up that tweet, were astonished and followed Adam's feed for a moment. I presume they since have fled in disgust. Wouldn't it be nicer if they had read something snarky, funny or interesting instead? Something that would make them perhaps stick around for a moment longer? Maybe people, who remember Adam from 2009, but have forgotten all about him since.
Not all of Eminem fans are rap music fans. I hate rap music, but have at least respect and to some degree I'd even say interest in Eminem, kind of a like a sideline observer. That is more attention than I am giving 95 % else in modern music of today. I thought for example, that Eminem's reaction to the AMA's was at least creative. Insulting, of course, but that cuts both ways. Eminem has often an ability to capture cultural conflicts with a bit of a different slant than the rest of the more politically correct world does. Yes, he insults, incessantly so actually, but there is often something deeper going on, too.
Eminem has a very varied fan base, not at all only the usual rap audience. There are probably quite a few, who cross over easily into totally different genres, as listeners.
If people want to isolate Adam on that small island that the fandom inhabits now, then they are doing it perfectly.
I know, it is only a certain percentage of the fandom, but still, they can be annoying.
Now I need to go check out that song that Adam is actually referring to, because I have not heard it yet.
Thank you, Adam.
