The Stranger Things star finds a counterpoint to hectic Hollywood life in songwriting. As always, her personal taste in music says a lot about her own personality and worldview. So, what is it about Eminem’s and D12’s records that resonates with her that deeply?
To be your own person
As the daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, Maya spent a lot of time waiting for her parents in the trailer on various sets. Her best companion back then was music. More specifically, it was the country music her dad loved. With time, her taste has broadened. Now, she listens to music across all genres, paying the most attention to the lyrics and the stories the songs tell.
Eminem holds a special place in her personal history. There are few interviews where she does not mention him by name. Maya has chosen his songs as breakup music and talked about playing ‘Stan’ again and again. “His music is so angry and thrilling”, she said in an early interview with Pitchfork.
The message of “The Real Slim Shady” was what drew Maya in. Recently, the Far Out magazine recalled that she called the song “the epic of our time”, explaining that it always meant a lot to her, because it taught her about “feeling like everybody else, but still being an individual”.
The other side of the coin
Another song that Maya has a special feeling about is D12’s “My Band”. For her, the song’s message is the opposite to the one she hears in “The Real Slim Shady”. It is not about individuality but about being rooted in the community.
Paraphrasing the lyrics, Maya gives her interpretation: “The thing that makes me special is the people I surround myself with. You say you love me, but you don’t even know the name of my band! My band is the most important thing about me!”
Ultimately, this is the part that resonated with Maya. “I love being a part of ensemble performances and collaborating on songs, and I love my family”, she explained. “There’s something about that song and wanting recognition for your team that I just love”.
There is a lot to be said about how much the interpretation depends on the character and worldview of a listener. Almost as if art does little more than hold up a mirror. There are people who listen to Eminem’s music and hear nothing but mockery, rage, and provocation. And then there is Maya Hawke, who hears something else. To her, Eminem’s music can be about standing apart and still finding your people.