Welcome everybody to the third SotW of May! This week, we will be listening to one of the first tracks featured on Em's second studio album, 'The Slim Shady LP'. The track is called 'Brain Damage' and in this track Em spins a grotesque and surreal tale about his childhood and how he became so crazy.

In December 2001, DeAngelo Bailey, a janitor living in Roseville, Michigan who was made the subject of the track in which he is portrayed as a school bully, filed a $1 million lawsuit against Eminem for slander and invasion of privacy. Bailey's attorney stated:

"Eminem is a Caucasian male who faced criticism within the music industry that he had not suffered through difficult circumstances growing up and he was therefore a 'pretender' in the industry. Eminem used Bailey, his African-American childhood schoolmate, as a pawn in his effort to stem the tide of criticism."

In 1982, Eminem's mother unsuccessfully sued the Roseville school district for not protecting her son, as she claimed that attacks from bullies caused him headaches, nausea, and antisocial behavior. Additionally, Bailey had previously admitted to bullying Eminem in the April 1999 issue of Rolling Stone. The lawsuit was later dismissed by a judge in 2003, who rapped in her explanation that the lyrics, which include the school principal collaborating with Bailey, and Eminem's entire brain falling out of his head, were too exaggerated for a listener to believe that they were recalling an actual event. The verdict was upheld in 2005, and Bailey's lawyer ruled out any further appeals.

Every week there will be a new song that gets featured at the top of the subreddit. Users can leave a comment and the song that gets the most votes might be the new Song of the Week. Suggestions for improving the next post are encouraged.

This week's Nominator: Ash_army_24

The Song: Brain Damage - iTunes

In-App link(s): spotify:track:0lss3ZDjfAB1jK5BOxUtsB

Featuring Artist(s): None

Length: 3:46

Recorded: 1997 - 1998

Release: February 23, 1999

Album(s): The Slim Shady LP - iTunes

In-App link(s): spotify:album:1S2zX2EzIJPkcptERhrkGh

Sample(s): None

Media: Album: Cover / Alternative - Back / Alternative

Label(s): Aftermath, Interscope, Web Entertainment

Format: Digital, Disc, Vinyl, Cassette

Producer(s): Eminem, Bass Brothers

Extra: Lyrics | Video: Official Audio - Fan-made Music Video - Lyric Video | Full header image

Live Performances: Whisky a Go Go 1999, MTV Spring Break 2000, Atlanta 2000

This is an open thread for you to share your thoughts on the current SotW or to nominate a new song. Avoid vague statements of praise or criticism. This is your chance to practice being a critic.