New Eminem video featuring Rihanna

The new Eminem and Rihanna single "Love the Way You Lie" has grown on me immensely. The first time I heard it I felt it was a little gimmicky but I've grown to appreciate its sincerity. "Love the Way You Lie" is a song about abusive relationships by two artists who have very infamously dealt with domestic abuse. Eminem has already rapped about his tumultuous relationship with his ex wife Kimberley Scott (who Eminem fans know as "Kim"). He's been criticized for his violent lyrics which include fantasizing about killing his (then) spouse. But Rihanna has been more subtle in her artistic references to her relationship with Chris Brown (who Rihanna fans know as "that unapologetic abusive motherfucker"). Her last album Rated R (which is insanely underrated) alluded to being heartbroken but also finding the strength to move on from a fatal relationship.

"Love the Way You Lie" is a big step cathartically and musically for both artists. Eminem's lyrics, although not his best, are piercing as ever but surprisingly tender. You can hear his desperation, anger, and ultimately his shame not just in his lyrics but in his voice. For Rihanna, it's her musical admission of how a seemingly sadomasochistic love made her stay in an abusive relationship. While this is something she has previously discussed in interviews, she's never allowed herself to appear so insecure and fragile as she does in this song. Even her newly cultivated bad ass girl image is toned down for the single's music video. With "Love the Way You Lie" Eminem and Rihanna give us an honest account of their individual experiences with violence and love. I don't want to assume I know the extent of their individual experiences; it's too easy to assume that they were on polar ends of the domestic abuse spectrum (Rihanna as the female victim and Eminem as the male oppressor). All I can do is appreciate that their song expresses how multifaceted abusive relationships are...and I can also appreciate its great hook!

As a bonus, the music video rocks. It features Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan as lovers tormented by their intense, violent relationship. I know it's just a short music video but both their performances are great. The video will hopefully garner more attention for the efforts made by Eminem and Rihanna to be open about their romantic struggles and also their efforts to evolve as popular artists in an increasingly shallow, monotone pop music industry.