Eminem's 'Berzerk' Music Video: Look By Look
A still from Eminem's "Berzerk" video.
Photo: Interscope Records
Eminem is back, y'all. The video for his first single, "Berzerk," off of his upcoming release, The Marshall Mathers LP 2 was just released and is FULL of references to '80s rap, features a slew of celeb cameos, and involves a lotta outfit changes. "Bezerk," and Em's eagerly-awaited return, were teased during the 2013 VMAs, when the song was previewed in a Beats by Dre commercial. On to da looks:
A still from Eminem's "Berzerk" video.
Photo: Interscope Records
The video begins with Em in front of a giant boombox (a nod to LL Cool J's "Radio" in his classic steez: a white shirt. In the video, he's paired the shirt with khakis, but during his infamous 2000 VMA performance, where there were many a Slim Shady, he—and they—were wearing jeans.
A still from Eminem's "Berzerk" video.
Photo: Interscope Records
Along with Billy Squier's "The Stroke," "Berzerk" samples clips from The Beastie Boys' "The New Style" and "Fight for Your Right," and the video has an homage to their "So What'cha Want" video. The "So What'Cha Want" video had a photo negative effect and Mike D in a Knicks shirt—"Berzerk" also has visual effects applied to it and features Em in, not a Knicks shirt, but a Detroit Pistons one repping his hometown. He's matched the shirt with a blue and red beanie, as well as blue, red, and white Nike sneakers. Matchy-matchy.
A still from Eminem's "Berzerk" video.
Photo: Interscope Records
Bad bleached hair day? Em throws on a black beanie and stands beside Royce da 5'9", who looks way taller than 5'9", TBH.
A still from Eminem's "Berzerk" video.
Photo: Interscope Records
Kendrick Lamar pops into frame in a look we've seen from him before: his Governors Ball 2013 Creature of the Black Lagoon sweatshirt.
A still from Eminem's "Berzerk" video.
Photo: Interscope Records
Phew, Em is back, this time in a gray beanie—must need a root touch-up—and buffalo plaid. Very lumberjack chic.
A still from Eminem's "Berzerk" video.
Photo: Interscope Records
Another shot, another look! None of the outfit changes are to make him look like a superhero or TV host, like in the "Without Me" video; they're all just casual-but-still-fresh Shady.
A still from Eminem's "Berzerk" video.
Photo: Interscope Records
Here, in a red beanie (three beanies in under a minute!) and red shirt, Eminem stands next to the song's producer, Rick Rubin. The best thing about Rubin's appearance, of which there are many, is that he's standing, for the first time on video this year! In clips released by both Kanye West and Jay Z in 2013, Rubin has been in various states of recline: any guesses on what it took for Eminem to get him upright?
A still from Eminem's "Berzerk" video.
Photo: Interscope Records
Em has switched from a red plaid to a blue plaid—still remaining within his Detroit Pistons color range—and now has on a black graphic tee. ~Grungey~.
A still from Eminem's "Berzerk" video.
Photo: Interscope Records
Eminem has a HUGE collab with G-Shock, which is why throughout the video he's wearing HUGE timepieces. Here he's showing off a white one, but if you look closely in other images, you can catch glimpses of red and black watches. Eminem must always know what time it is. A good quality in a friend.
A still from Eminem's "Berzerk" video.
Photo: Interscope Records
Here are some of the other rapper cameos in the video, decked out in reinvented black, white, red, and blue FILA gear. Joe Budden has on a red, black, and white FILA t-shirt and black velour pants #smooth. Crooked-I is in a piped velour jacket and piped velour pants (which is an ideal outfit, IMHO). Finally, Royce da 5'9" is in a Pistons jersey and FILA 95's, which aren't even out until next week, but he has obviously had for a long time. LUCKY ROYCE.
A still from Eminem's "Berzerk" video.
Photo: Interscope Records
In a rather literal moment, Em raps, "Plus, I showed up with a coat fresher than wet paint," and then, he throws on a hooded red jacket. Icy.
A still from Eminem's "Berzerk" video.
Photo: Interscope Records
Oh hi, Kid Rock. If you mention him, he shall appear. For the video, Kid's throwing back to his steez when he first broke out with "Bawitdaba" but mixing it up with a little Run-D.M.C. influence in a white tank, red adidas track pants, a chunky gold chain, and white fedora.
A still from Eminem's "Berzerk" video.
Photo: Interscope Records
Another nod to a classic video, this time it's LL Cool J's "Going Back to Cali" vid. Eminem wears a Kangol bucket hat, just like LL, and sits next to a leather-jacket-wearing Rick Rubin.
A still from Eminem's "Berzerk" video.
Photo: Interscope Records
Yes, Eminem, this video is "Bezerk" in how many looks it has, but it also is an homage to '80s rap, video visuals, and Rubin-produced tracks. Eminem has become quite the historian.
+ WATCH EMINEM'S "BERZERK" VIDEO BELOW
