In the waning days of August, Marshal Bruce Mathers, better known as Eminem, collapsed the contemporary music world overnight. “Kamikaze” became Eminem’s tenth studio work and was completely unannounced previous to its release.

     Eminem’s rise to prominence in today’s vastly different rap landscape can be attributed to his hold over the music world in the early 90s and 2000s—as he became the first musical act to open up with eight works on top of the charts—and the collateral devastation of “Kamikaze.”

     Eminem commences the work with “The Ringer,” where an imitation of a plane nose-diving and eventually erupting as it hits its target can be heard; The track that follows marks the beginning of the resulting carnage. Eminem sets the angry attitude familiar to many long-time listeners as he vents about the present-day hip-hop world, previous critics of his work and even President Donald Trump.

     IllaDaProducer’s intensive production is effortlessly matched by Eminem’s expressive aggression, which might explain why Illa produced four of the tracks on the work, including this track. The explicit barrage of dense lyrics barely goes a few lines without throwing shots at some figure, such as Lil Xan and Lil Pump, or concept of pop culture including the over infatuation of jewelry or bragging about sleeping with somebody’s girlfriend/wife.

     “Lucky You,” featuring Joyner Lucas and produced by Illa, Boi-1da and Jahaan Sweet, shows the polarizing opposite lives that Lucas and Eminem live. Lucas has just barely scratched the music world with his track “I’m Not Racist” which went viral last year, while Eminem recalls winning “a couple Grammys but I sold my soul to get ‘em.”

     Lucas compliments Eminem’s flow and articulation unquestionably well, as another tension-building instrumental reminiscent of Eminem’s earlier works dramatically frames the parallel duo. Eminem’s diction remains individualistic, however, with staccatos and a sense of pressured lyrics.

     While the album remains a staple example of Eminem’s work, it also shows how unyielding Eminem is, as many have labeled the album and his recent works as ignorant and distasteful. With lyrics touching on the fringes of homophobia and misogyny, Eminem has received comparisons to Trump for his behavior, such as relishing in the fact that he has made an enemy of the media. 

     While some can argue that this behavior will attribute to the 45-year-old’s downfall, Eminem has composed another work that keeps to his explosive reputation intact and makes sure his side is heard. If anything, Marshall Mathers has managed to stain multiple generations of the rap world and has left his imprint.

     The seats were packed full in the historic Tift Theatre, Sunday afternoon. The University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra performed for ABAC students and staff. As well as, scholarship donators and others around Tifton.

     The Orchestra performed three songs. The first was, “Ma Mre l’Oye, cinq pieces enfantines” a French piece by Maurice Ravel which means, “My Mother Goose, Five Pieces for Children.”

     The piece was conducted by Assistant Conductor, Jean Gomez. It is very reminiscent of Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.” The way “My Mother Goose” moves through its movements. It begins with a soft fairy tale like sound. The flute and the harp slowly introducing themselves until they are slowly joined by the orchestra. The piece is meant to describe a story of a princess much like Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” based on the original French tale. It all culminates in a peaceful and heartwarming sound described by the composer as, “Building a happy ending, the music drives to a grand fanfare glorifying all that is good and beautiful.

      The second piece was conducted by UGA Symphony Conductor, Mark Cedel. The piece entitled, “Symphonic Dances from West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein is a direct adaptation from the successful 1957 play, West Side Story. Bernstein took heed from fans that his music is put for orchestration. The music had the ability to grow, like a classical symphony. It moved through basic themes into a variety of moods that fit the different ideas of the play.

      The piece includes five movements, it begins with a tense scene describing the feud between the Jets and the Sharks. It moves from their peaceful reckoning, a soft and delicate tone. To the gang’s feud being relit depicted as a giant battle of dueling string within the orchestra. The piece ends in a mournful tone as it depicts the death of the main character, Tony dying in his lover, Maria’s arms. The piece included a solo by principal chair cello, Andrew William Reynish to depict Tony’s last few moments.

     After a thirty-minute intermission, the orchestra prepared for its final piece. Cedel ended the intermission by thanking all those who came out and taking his place on the stand. The final piece was Symphony No. in C minor, Op. 67 by Ludwig Van Beethoven. This is regarded as the composer’s greatest musical achievement. The piece includes four movements, three of which include “Allegro” which means fast.

     The piece requires a tremendous amount of dexterity to perform well and the orchestra is no exception. The piece is thought to describe the composer’s own loss of hearing. The performance of the piece is both amorous and powerful. The orchestra perfectly captured the transitions from minor to major, from darkness to light, from conflict to resolution the piece personifies. The piece even demanded an intense solo performed beautifully by concertmaster and first violin, Fei tong.

      The orchestra did a fantastic job with all their pieces. Each one was beautiful and wonderful to hear. The event was part of ABAC’s Performing Art’s Series. Future events include Hispanic Heritage Day Celebration and All That Jazz. For more information on events and how to get a free student ticket contact Band Director Johnny Folsom or Choir Director, Dr. Susan Roe.