The striking image of Slim Shady lying in a coffin for The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grace) album cover might feel fresh, but its roots go back nearly two decades to a forgotten 2004 photoshoot.
The iconic image of Slim Shady lying in a coffin, featured on the back cover of “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grace)” CDs, has been making waves since the album hit stores. However, a younger generation of fans might not know that it’s not a recent photo altered to match Shady’s current look. The picture was actually taken nearly 20 years ago, back in 2004, by renowned Detroit photographer Norman Jean Roy for a Rolling Stone cover story.
While most fans remember other shots from that legendary shoot, this particular image stayed under the radar — until now. The dramatic aesthetic from that session clearly inspired the overall vibe of the album’s design and even the elaborate pop-up installations that appeared at the album’s release events this summer in Los Angeles and London.
It is no surprise that the eerie yet artistic style from Roy’s 2004 shoot still resonates today. Slim Shady’s persona has always blurred the line between life and death, mischief and menace — and this throwback photo ties it all together in the most poetic way. After all, Slim Shady never really dies — he just evolves.
Listen to “The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grace)” below:
