“Habits” is the second track on Eminem’s 2024 album ‘The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).’ The song plays around the concept that Eminem needs Slim Shady and vice-versa. Slim Shady brings out old habits that are hard to kill off and don’t sit well in today’s culture.
‘The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)’ is the thirteenth studio album by Detroit rapper Eminem. The album was released on July 12, 2024, and contains 19 songs. The album features artists such as Big Sean, BabyTron, Skylar Grey, Dr. Dre, and JID. This is the most pre-album promotion Eminem’s camp has done for an album release including two singles “Houdini” and “Tobey.”
On “Habits,” Eminem pretty much says all the ‘hush hush’ words of today. He blurts out the R-word/s. Talks about disabled people. Mentions big-bodies people. And none of these groups get any favors from Eminem, except at the end of the song “I’m just playin’ little people, you know I love you.”
Listen to “Habits” by Eminem
Eminem “Habits” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
This my sh*t, I’m gonna spit it how I wanna spit it
The above lyric is the summation for the song and all Slim Shady music. He holds nothing back as he spits out his mind about all the topics that we tip-toe around today.
In the first verse itself, Eminem says he has been trying to break his bad habits–one of them is saying the R word. He tries. He kept it inside in his previous couple of albums. However, Slim Shady comes out in this album and we hear all kinds of R words. He has been summoned to PC court because of this album.
In the second verse of the song, Eminem admits that he might have set off a few feminists in his career. His thoughts are poisonous, so be warned. So, what does he do about it? Nothing.
My speech is free, it’s his choice to choose genderless
This lyric is a jab at the growing number of gender identities in the world right now. Eminem says he has the right to say what he thinks as much as everyone has the rights to pick their gender.
Verse 3 gets worse.
Slim Shady gets the upper hand in this verse and subdues Eminem. As the verse progresses, Slim Shady and Eminem merge together to form a new version of Eminem.
Eminem has crucified his mother in his songs before. He has absolutely brought hell on his father who walked out on them when he was little. So, parent-blaming is nothing new to him. What is new to him is body-shaming and destroying Gen-Z rap critics.
Next, Eminem goes off on a rant about how some modern women have the wrong priorities–lurking on the Internet chasing clout while their kids are starving at home. Some people commit absolutely horrible acts to gain some views and likes.
Towards the end of the verse, Eminem questions all those who call him a misogynist. His counter-argument being that he raised three daughters of whom two graduated college with honors. He sounds like a proud father here. He reminds everyone that Slim Shady has a potty mouth but at the end of the day, they are just creative pieces of music. Let them be just that.
Let us hear what you think about the song in the comments below. Read the complete lyrics of the song on Genius.