Role Model (song)
| "Role Model" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Eminem | ||||
| from the album The Slim Shady LP | ||||
| Released | May 26, 1999 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:25 (album version) 3:22 (radio version) | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Eminem singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Role Model" on YouTube | ||||
"Role Model" is a song by American rapper Eminem, that features on his major-label debut album The Slim Shady LP. The song also appears on the deluxe edition of his compilation album, Curtain Call: The Hits. Released as a single on May 26, 1999, following "My Name Is", a music video was made, using the heavily censored radio edit. It became a minor hit on the US charts.
In 2023, a sample of "Role Model" was used for the Lyrical Lemonade track "Doomsday", off the album All Is Yellow (2024). Eminem appeared on a sequel to the track, also appearing on the same album.[citation needed]
Critical reception[edit]
David Browne described this: "In Role Model, he gleefully debunks the idea of rappers as heroes (So if I said I never do drugs, that would mean I lie and get f ---ed more than the President does)."[1] RapReviews highlighted following lyrics: "I get a clean shave, bathe, go to a rave/ Die from an overdose and dig myself up out of my grave/ My middle finger won't go down, how do I wave?/ And this is how I'm supposed to teach kids how to behave?"[2]
Music video[edit]
The video is a darker comedic offering than "My Name Is", directed by Dr. Dre and Phillip G. Atwell. The opening of the song, where Eminem announces his attempt to drown himself, is left out. In the video, there's a scene where Eminem is transformed into an animated superhero and attacks a chicken character that resembles Foghorn Leghorn from Looney Tunes.[3] Also in the music video Eminem jokes about the Murder trial of O.J. Simpson where he says that O.J. Simpson's friend Marcus Allen and Eminem framed O.J. for the murder and he says "We did it!" and run up to the camera leaving behind a glove and his hands are bloody.
Track listing[edit]
- Promotional CD single[4]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Role Model" (Radio Version) | 3:22 |
| 2. | "Role Model" (Album Version) | 3:25 |
- 12" vinyl[5]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Role Model" (Radio Version) | 3:22 |
| 2. | "Role Model" (Album Version) | 3:25 |
| 3. | "Role Model" (Instrumental) | 3:17 |
| 4. | "Cum on Everybody" (Club Edit) | 3:13 |
| 5. | "Cum on Everybody (featuring Dina Rae)" (Album Version) | 3:40 |
| 6. | "'97 Bonnie & Clyde" (Club Edit) | 3:49 |
Charts[edit]
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)[6] | 11 |
Certifications[edit]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[7] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[8] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References[edit]
- ^ "The Slim Shady LP". Entertainment Weekly. 12 March 1999. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- ^ "Eminem :: The Slim Shady LP :: Aftermath". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- ^ "Eminem- Role Model Music Video (Uncensored/Dirty)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- ^ "Eminem - Role Model". Discogs. 1999. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- ^ "Eminem - Role Model / Cum On Everybody / '97 Bonnie & Clyde". Discogs. 1999. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- ^ "Billboard chart search: Eminem - "Role Model"". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
- ^ "British single certifications – Eminem – Role Model". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 19, 2024. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Role Model in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "American single certifications – Eminem – Role Model". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 23, 2022.