Eminem Features Daughter Hailie Jade’s Toddler Recordings on ‘Temporary’

Eminem’s latest 19-track album, released recently, marks a significant shift as the rapper bids farewell to his alter ego, Slim Shady, evident in its dramatic title and the hints leading up to its release. Amidst the album’s themes, one poignant track, ‘Temporary’, delves into Eminem’s contemplation of death, featuring singer Skylar Grey and touching recordings of his daughter Hailie Jade Scott as a toddler.

The emotional intro of the song reveals its purpose—to console Haili, in the future after her father’s passing. “A lot of people ask me, am I afraid of death? / The truth is, I think what scares me the most is not being able to say all the things I wanna say to you when I’m no longer here,” Eminem shares at the start of the track. “So this song is for Hailie, for when that day comes.”

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Throughout the song, old audio clips of Hailie are interwoven as the Grammy winner raps about his enduring presence in her life even after he’s gone: “Yeah, so Hailie Jade, I wrote you this song / To help you cope with life now that I’m gone / How should I start? Just wanna say / Look after Alaina, Stevie, and Uncle Nate.”

He continues, addressing Hailie directly, “And, sweetie, be strong, I know I was your rock / And I still am, saying goodbye is just not / Ever easy, why are you crying? Just stop / Hailie, baby, dry your eyes, this is not Forever.” 

In the second verse, Eminem reflects further, expressing regret and apologies to his children: “Alaina, sorry that you had to hear me fall in the bathroom… Stevie, I’m sorry, I missed you / Grow up and I didn’t get to / Be the dad I wanted to be to you / Things I wanted to see you do / This is my song from me to you / Sorry I gave up, but I’m just so defeated.”

Eminem has previously touched on themes about his children in songs like ‘Mockingbird’, ‘When I’m Gone’, and ‘Hailie’s Song’. Recently, all three children appeared in a FaceTime call in the rapper’s music video for ‘Houdini’, where they playfully reacted to their father’s lyrics.

-Sushmita Sarkar