In a classic throwback line, Eminem’s alter ego Slim Shady references the late Superman star Christopher Reeve in his lyrics. Reeve, who was paralyzed from the neck down after a horse riding accident, has been a frequent target of Eminem’s rhymes since his album The Marshall Mathers LP, with songs like “Who Knew” and “I’m Back” taking jabs at the actor. This trend continued with tracks like “Rain Man,” “My First Single,” and D12’s “Purple Pills.”
In “Brand New Dance,” Slim Shady playfully calls out Reeve to dance, a task the actor would obviously not be able to do due to his paralysis and unfortunate passing. The track humorously reflects on the irony of Reeve dancing after being wheelchair-bound.
In another song, “Road Rage,” Eminem once again targets Christopher Reeve with a recurring joke, adding a reference to the horse that he rode in on. The dark humor is characteristic of Slim Shady’s infamous style.
Even in the song “Guilty Conscience 2,” Eminem can’t seem to let go of his fascination with Christopher Reeve. He reveals that the track “Brand New Dance” was originally recorded for the album Encore but was removed following Reeve’s death in 2004. The timing of Reeve’s passing, just before the album’s release, added a macabre twist to the situation.
Overall, Eminem’s references to Christopher Reeve throughout his discography show a mix of dark humor and outspokenness that are trademarks of the controversial rapper’s style.