Eminem, "Square Dance" and The Dirty South

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So I've read a copious amount of reviews of Eminem's last album, and I've noticed that a considerable number of 'em link "Square Dance" to the Dirty South scene (Q, in its endearing cluelessness, said it sounds like "Nelly and Outkast"), which baffles me. I mean, are these writers just judging the record by looking at the song titles, or does saying "y'all" immediatley qualifies a track for "Dirty South Flava" status? I see no resemblance to Nappy Roots and Outkast whatsoever, but maybe I'm just missing out on something?

But then I noticed that I don't really know what a "Dirty South" track would sound like, anyway. I mean, I (heart) a lot of artists that reportedly fall under this genre, but I can't really see what unifies them musically. So is there anything, or is it just an image/attitude/geographical thang? Excuse My Ignorance...

Daniel_Rf, Tuesday, 24 September 2002 22:56 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm under the assumption that as long as there is a lot of r's used in the lyrics or in the title of the song ("Hot in Herre") the artists are considered hardcore southerners, no matter where they come from.

Brittany Matos, Tuesday, 24 September 2002 23:14 (twenty-three years ago)

Maybe it has something to do with the banjo.

Rahul Kamath (Rahul Kamath), Wednesday, 25 September 2002 00:54 (twenty-three years ago)

ah the double-r signifies rural America not just rural Britain then

robin carmody (robin carmody), Wednesday, 25 September 2002 02:51 (twenty-three years ago)

and there's me thinkin 'Hot In Herre' was just a lyrical double entendre

blueski, Wednesday, 25 September 2002 09:20 (twenty-three years ago)

Um I thought Southerners DIDN'T say their r's, dahlins.

Sam (chirombo), Wednesday, 25 September 2002 09:40 (twenty-three years ago)

Why isnt it called "Squarre Dance" then?

Tom (Groke), Wednesday, 25 September 2002 09:47 (twenty-three years ago)

All I can tell ya about the Dirty South sound is that it doesn't have those P-Funk synths in it. Beyond that, I dunno.

My name is Kenny, Wednesday, 25 September 2002 14:28 (twenty-three years ago)


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