Eminem fans are already buzzing over a July 15 article in the Detroit Free Press that hinted he may retire next month when his current tour ends. Despite denying this six days later on MTV, his publicist told Rolling Stone that the tour represents "the end of the first chapter of his career." And, in a Prince-like move, the rapper has been telling his audiences that he won't go by the names Slim Shady, Marshall Mathers or even Eminem anymore.

His current CD, Encore, has sold upwards of five million copies. Its cover has him taking a final bow. For a recent photo shoot, he insisted on being photographed in a coffin. Are these clues? Will Eminem be content to simply produce other artists on his own label a la his mentor, Dr. Dre? "Nothing is written in stone," he's already declared. "I don't know what I'm doing yet."

Eminem: The Complete History encapsulates the rapper's oeuvre in compelling style, going under the surface in a unique and authoritative manner. Unauthorized, unexpurgated and unbound by any managerial constrictions, this detailed documentary hits the bi-polar heights of success tempered by tragedy as only Eminem knows it. Its release could not be timed any more perfectly.