Marshall Bruce Mathers III is releasing a highly anticipated 12th studio album

Fans of Eminem have been left desperate for his new album to be released after discovering a mind-blowing interview from 19 years ago that they claim changes everything.

One of the greatest rappers and musical artists of all time, Eminem is gearing up for the release of his twelfth album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), which is set to be released in just a few days time (12 July).

Real name Marshall Bruce Mathers III, he’s given fans a teaser with the song ‘Houdini’, which samples three of his class songs – ‘Without Me’, ‘My Name Is’, and ‘Just Lose It’.

In what is a clear throwback to his earlier material, fans are hoping it may see the return of Em’s alter ego, Slim Shady.

A character used by Eminem in his earlier albums, Slim brings a darker and more violent edge – with a black comedic twist to a lot of the work.

But it is one resurfaced clip from almost two decades ago that has got fans talking about what we truly might be in store for.

“I’m putting this persona to bed and this is why I’m doing it… it is the death of Slim Shady,” Eminem said when releasing the song ‘When I’m Gone’ back in 2005.

Eminem back in 2005. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

The song was released alongside Eminem’s first greatest hits album Curtain Call: The Hits, with a lot of uncertainty at the time surrounding what might come next for the musician.

For many – including the big man himself – it marked the end of the Slim Shady alter ego and an indication of where he was moving to on an artistic level.

In an interview with MTV Italy, he said: “It was more about making a song that was true to form of where I’m at right now in my career… I don’t know where I’m at in my career. It takes you through the journey of the guilt trip that almost consumed me on a daily basis of leaving my family for the stage, and basically just the bad feelings and guilt you get from doing that, being on the road and gone so much.

He’s still going strong after all these years. (Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

“This song would mark the death of Slim Shady. It’s basically saying, ‘I’m putting this persona to bed and this is why I’m doing it’.

“It was a difficult song to write in the sense of I didn’t know what I wanted to write about. I knew with everything that [I’ve gone] through this year, and coming out of rehab, I knew that I had to make a song that said ‘If I’m gonna put the mic done for a little while, let me explain why’.

“Because the stress, the pressure, the guilt and everything in-between has led me up to this point where I feel like this year I just kinda cracked.”

The interview resurfaced this week, with fans unable to keep their excitement at Em quoting what is now a clear return to when we last truly saw his alter ego – whether that is for a final time or not remains to be seen.

Eminem, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg during the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star ceremony honouring Dre. (VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)

The credits of the TV interview, which took place 19 years ago also notes ‘RIP Slim Shady’.

Posting a clip of the interview on X (formerly Twitter), one fan wrote: “EMINEM HAS BEEN PLANNING THIS ALBUM FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS. CLASSIC INCOMING.”

Responding, another said: “I’ve it to me already, album of the year is locked for the GOAT [greatest of all time].”

And a third commented: “I bet Eminem five years ago didn’t believe he’d be able to make this album, that he would have to, or that he would get the chance to.

“I love his determination at being the greatest, it’s so commendable… he’s giving us the return to the form that we all love and enjoying it too.”

Given his historic standing in the rap game, we wouldn’t be too shocked if Marshall Mathers had indeed been planning something in the background to revisit later on in life.

Fans are clearly convinced he had put the alter ego in to hibernation ready for when he was feeling the time was right once more.

LADbible has contacted representatives for Eminem for comment.