Role Model (song)

"Role Model" is a song by American rapper Eminem that features on his major-label debut album The Slim Shady LP (1999). It was later released as a single on May 26, 1999. A music video was made, using the heavily censored radio edit. It became a minor hit on the US charts. "Role Model" was written and produced by Eminem himself, Dr. Dre, and Mel-Man.

"Role Model"
Single by Eminem
from the album The Slim Shady LP
Released	May 26, 1999
Genre	Comedy hip hop horrorcore
Length	3:25 (album version) 3:22 (radio version)
Label	Aftermath Interscope Web
Songwriter(s)	Marshall Mathers Andre Young Melvin Bradford
Producer(s)	Dr. Dre Mel-Man
Eminem singles chronology
"My Name Is" (1999) "Role Model" (1999) "Guilty Conscience" (1999)
Music video
"Role Model" on YouTube

"Role Model" received positive reviews from music critics, who praised the song for Eminem best tackling how others perceive him, as well as Dr. Dre's production.

The song also appears on the deluxe edition of his compilation album, Curtain Call: The Hits. In 2023, a sample of "Role Model" was used for the Lyrical Lemonade track "Doomsday", off the album All Is Yellow (2024). Eminem appeared on a sequel to the track, also appearing on the same album.^{[citation needed]}

Critical reception

David Browne described this: "In Role Model, he gleefully debunks the idea of rappers as heroes (So if I said I never do drugs, that would mean I lie and get f ---ed more than the President does)."^[1] RapReviews highlighted the following lyrics: "I get a clean shave, bathe, go to a rave/ Die from an overdose and dig myself up out of my grave/ My middle finger won't go down, how do I wave?/ And this is how I'm supposed to teach kids how to behave?"^[2]

Music video

The video is a darker comedic offering than "My Name Is", directed by Dr. Dre and Phillip G. Atwell. The opening of the song, where Eminem announces his attempt to drown himself, is left out. In the video, there's a scene where Eminem is transformed into an animated superhero and attacks a chicken character that resembles Foghorn Leghorn from Looney Tunes.^[3] Also in the music video Eminem jokes about the Murder trial of O.J. Simpson where he says that O.J. Simpson's friend Marcus Allen and Eminem framed O.J. for the murder and he says "We did it!" and runs up to the camera leaving behind a glove and his hands are bloody.

Track listing

Promotional CD single^[4]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Role Model" (Radio Version)	3:22
2.	"Role Model" (Album Version)	3:25

12" vinyl^[5]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Role Model" (Radio Version)	3:22
2.	"Role Model" (Album Version)	3:25
3.	"Role Model" (Instrumental)	3:17
4.	"Cum on Everybody" (Club Edit)	3:13
5.	"Cum on Everybody (featuring Dina Rae)" (Album Version)	3:40
6.	"'97 Bonnie & Clyde" (Club Edit)	3:49

Charts

Chart (1999)	Peak position
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)[6]	11

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[7]	Platinum	70,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[8]	Gold	15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[9]	Silver	200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[10]	Gold	500,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.