Eminem, is a renowned American music artist who played a significant role in making hip hop mainstream in Middle America and is often considered one of the greatest rappers who ever lived. His worldwide success has led to a greater acceptance of white rappers in the music industry. Although his work in the late 1990s and early 2000s was often seen as controversial due to its transgressive nature, he became a symbol of the American underclass's prevalent distress. He has inspired and been influenced by numerous artists across different genres.
Born on October 17, 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri, Marshall Bruce Mathers III, better known as Eminem, is the only child of Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. and Deborah Rae "Debbie" Nelson. Eminem's parents were part of a band named Daddy Warbucks, performing in Ramada Inns along the Dakotas-Montana border before their separation. Eminem's father left the family when he was just 18 months old, leaving him to be brought up by his mother, Debbie, in conditions of poverty. Debbie later gave birth to another son, Nathan "Nate" Kane Samara. By the time he was twelve, Eminem and his mother had moved multiple times and lived in various locations in Missouri, including St. Joseph, Savannah, and Kansas City, before finally settling in Warren, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit.
Eminem started rapping at the age of 14 with his high school friend Mike Ruby, initially going by the nicknames "Manix" and "M&M", which later evolved into "Eminem". Eminem and his friend, Proof, would sneak into a nearby high school, Osborn High School, to participate in freestyle rap battles during lunch. They also frequented open mic events at the Hip-Hop Shop on West 7 Mile Road, a significant location in the Detroit rap scene, on Saturdays. Despite the challenges of making it in an industry that was predominantly black, Eminem was appreciated by underground hip hop fans. His writing process involved focusing heavily on rhymes, penning long words or phrases and creating rhymes for each syllable underneath. Even though the words often didn't make much sense, this exercise helped him practice different sounds and rhymes.
Eminem spent three years in ninth grade due to low grades before leaving Lincoln High School at the age of 17. To assist with household expenses, Eminem held several jobs, including one at Little Caesar's Pizza in Warren, Michigan. He often found himself ousted from their home, usually after his mother took a large portion of his earnings. In her absence, when she would go to play bingo, he would turn up his music and compose songs.
In 1988, Eminem, then known as MC Double M, established his first group, New Jacks, and produced a self-titled demo tape with DJ Butter Fingers. By 1989, they had joined Bassmint Productions, which rebranded to Soul Intent in 1992, alongside rapper Proof and other friends from childhood. Eminem was subsequently signed by Jeff and Mark Bass's F.B.T. Productions and recorded his debut album, Infinite, under their independent Web Entertainment label. Despite its release in 1996, the album did not achieve commercial success. A significant theme of Infinite was Eminem's struggle to support his newborn daughter, Hailie Jade Scott Mathers, on a limited income.
Eminem garnered more notice when he introduced Slim Shady, a cruel and violent alter ego. This persona gave him an outlet to vent his rage through lyrics about drugs, sexual assault, and murder. In 1997, he recorded his first EP, known as the Slim Shady EP, and it was released in the winter by Web Entertainment. The EP frequently referenced drug use, sexual activity, mental instability, and violence. It also delved into serious issues like coping with poverty, marital problems, and familial struggles, displaying his straightforward and self-mocking reaction to critique.
After losing his job and home, Eminem moved to Los Angeles to participate in a nationwide battle rap competition, the 1997 Rap Olympics. He finished in second place, coming behind MC Otherwize from Project Blowed. Dean Geistlinger, an intern at Interscope Records who was present at the event, requested a copy of Eminem's 'Slim Shady EP'. This was later presented to Jimmy Iovine, the CEO of the company. Iovine was so impressed with the tape that he played it for music producer Dr. Dre, who was equally stunned by Eminem's talent. Despite some backlash for supporting a white rapper, Dr. Dre was unwavering in his decision to work with Eminem, stating that talent was his only criteria. Eminem, who had admired Dre since his teenage years, was initially apprehensive about working with him on an album. However, as they collaborated more, he became increasingly comfortable.
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