Rapper Eminem is known for crafting some edgy, creative, and often controversial lyrics with his most recent studio project, “Revival,” taking aim at President Donald Trump, among other contemporary subjects.
But there’s another theme embedded in the album that hasn’t gotten as much attention: abortion: Eminem apparently included a song that offers an apology to a terminated child — something that some pro-life outlets and activists are heralding.
According to Life News, the rapper’s new song “River,” which includes vocals from singer Ed Sheeran, is a “sorrowful apology” to a terminated child. The outlet has more about what the lyrics appear to be saying:
While the artist is best known for his “rape-raps” and angry diatribes against society, one single, “River,” took a different approach. The song is a detailed confession of an affair, an abortion, and the regret that came after. Whether fictional or based on reality, “River” is a powerful cry for forgiveness for the wrong he’s done to the aborted baby (the “little one” mentioned in the refrain) and the mother.
Billboard also mentioned the abortion narrative in “River.” The outlet noted that the song includes “controversial talking points such as abortion, infidelity, failed relationships and more.” Here’s more from Billboard:
He finishes off the record admitting an abortion through his shrewd wordplay, weighing a love triangle against a rectangle — incorporating his mistress into the equation with the future child and the baby’s mother. Shady annotates Sheeran’s emotional chorus apologizing and admitting his faults before the harrowing song comes to a close.
The lyrics, which include Eminem’s signature expletives, spin a creative web that deals with an affair, a pregnancy and his regret. It is unclear if the story is true or merely a form of artistic expression.
At one point, Eminem admits to making the woman terminate the pregnancy (referring to the unborn child as “my baby”). He also adds, “I really woulda loved your smile” and said he “didn’t really wanna abort.”
Then, at the end, Eminem offers an apology: “Well, little one (I’m sorry). I don’t want to admit to something (I f***ed up).” You can red the lyrics for yourself here.