Guilty Conscience 2
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| "Guilty Conscience 2" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Eminem | |
| from the album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) | |
| Released | July 12, 2024 |
| Genre | Hip hop |
| Length | 5:25 |
| Label | |
| Songwriters | |
| Producers |
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| Audio video | |
| "Guilty Conscience 2" on YouTube | |
"Guilty Conscience 2" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his twelfth studio album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) (2024). The sequel to his 1999 song "Guilty Conscience", it was produced by Eminem himself, Dem Jointz and Fredwreck.
The song revolves around two characters attempting to take control of Eminem's conscience: Eminem himself and his alter ego Slim Shady.[1] Over an instrumental of moody bass and piano keys,[2] Eminem raps in a slightly distorted voice to represent Shady and his normal voice to represent himself.[3] The notion of the song also references Eminem's song "My Darling" from his album Relapse, which also finds Eminem battling Shady for his soul.[4] Eminem is depicted as being addicted to the controversies that Slim Shady has brought about[3][5] and confronts Shady over the damaging impact on his career and artistry,[1] although acknowledging it has allowed him to become successful and wealthy.[6] He berates Shady for hypocritically portraying himself as being ill-treated while sinking to the level of his bullies[7][8] and constantly "punching down" on others,[6][7][8] deeming this behavior as "not cool".[8] Eminem also calls Slim as "mentally 13" and "thirsty for some controversy",[8][9] additionally comparing his embarrassing antics to actor David Carradine's accidental death by autoerotic asphyxiation. Slim claims they are a "team"[7] and rationalizes his actions by discussing how they have also benefited Eminem's career in some ways.[3][6]
After much arguing, the voices of Eminem and Slim Shady combine into one, but the former eventually gains the upper hand.[3] The conflict culminates in Eminem shooting and killing Shady.[1][3][10][11] It is revealed afterward that the battle only happened in a dream, as Eminem wakes up to his song "When I'm Gone" (a song where he also kills Shady) faintly playing in the background.[4][11] He then calls his manager Paul Rosenberg and tells him about his nightmare.[1][11]