Eminem drops new album without warning, and apparently he's an Alfred Hitchcock fan

Johannesburg – Forgets hints and teasers, Eminem is all about the element of surprise. 

The rapper released his 11th full-length album, Music to Be Murdered By, which, according to Forbes, came as a shocker to everyone except his record label and the artists involved in the production of the tracks. 

The record is made up of 20 songs, and includes features from the likes of Ed Sheeran and late rapper Juice WRLD.

It's cover, which sees the rapper holding a gun as well as an axe to his head while dressed in a suit, may seem a little eerie, but there's actually a deeper meaning behind it. 

Turns out Eminem is an Alfred Hitchcock fan as the cover is inspired by the famous director's one and only album released in 1958. 

Shortly after announcing the release of Music to Be Murdered By on social media, Eminem also shared a post of Hitchcock's original album cover, which also sees him donning a suit with an axe and gun to his head. 

"Inspired by the master, Uncle Alfred!" the rapper wrote. 

But wait, there's more!

The muso also released the video to his track Darkness, which is from the new album.