It might be the death of Slim Shady, but Eminem and Marshall Mathers are still around

Some of Eminem’s fans are worried that the legendary rapper might end up retiring now he’s released his new album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).

With a title like that you could understand why the rapper’s fans might be worried as it certainly sounds like he’s laying at least one of his musical alter egos to rest.

Then, of course, there was the promotional video he did for his track ‘Houdini’ where he collaborated with magician David Blaine and said: “Well for my last trick, I’m going to make my career disappear.”

Some of the songs on the album cut right to the heart and address a world where Eminem isn’t with us any more.

One of the tracks, ‘Temporary’, is addressed to his daughter Hailie and has a reassuring message for her to listen to once he’s no longer around.

Other songs on the album seem to look back on his life and what else might have happened had things gone differently, while he also faces off against his younger self.

Is he retiring? We hope not. (Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

The Death of Slim Shady feels very much like a tribute to his career, with many of his fans thinking that some of the tracks were a real throwback to his earlier days.

This has all fuelled fears that Eminem might retire, as a guy who say’s he’s going to make his career disappear will get you thinking along those lines.

It’s not the only time he’s spoken out about potentially hanging up the microphone either, as he has in the past said he did think he could retire when he got to a certain age.

Eminem had previously hinted that he might not release more music once he’d turned 50.

He said: “I’m always going to love hip-hop. But how much longer am I going to still do it? I couldn’t really give you an answer.

“But the day that this is not better than the last will probably be the day I stop.

“I do love it so much. But even if I was rapping at 50 [years old], I don’t know if I would put it out. I know it always makes me feel better to lay things to tape, and-‘Lay the tape.’

“See, I’m old school. The fans might say the s*** is garbage. You don’t how long people are going to want you around…

“Realistically, if I don’t rap, what the f*** am I going to do? It’s too late to just be unfamous right now at this point.”

He’s well past that point by now, aged 51, and has just released a whole new album which may quell the fears of some fans, but then with a title like The Death of Slim Shady you can’t blame them for wondering.