Eminem Flashcards
Who is Eminem?
Eminem, born Marshall Mathers on October 17, 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri, faced a challenging upbringing marked by his father’s abandonment, his mother’s financial struggles, multiple relocations in Missouri, and racial conflicts in the primarily black Detroit neighborhood where he lived, including a traumatic assault by a bully named D’Angelo Bailey, leading to a lawsuit against the school.
What was it like for Eminem growing up?
Eminem’s journey into hip hop began when he discovered the genre through a rap song on the Breakin’ soundtrack, receiving it as a gift from his uncle Ronnie Polkingharn, who later became a musical mentor; Eminem, then known as “Manix” or “M&M,” started rapping with friend Mike Ruby, adopted the name “Eminem,” and engaged in freestyle battles in high school and open mic contests at the Hip-Hop Shop in Detroit, facing challenges in the predominantly black industry but gaining recognition from underground hip hop audiences.
How did Eminem’s career lift off?
In 1988, Eminem, initially known as MC Double M, formed his first group New Jacks, later joining Bassmint Productions, which transformed into Soul Intent in 1992; he collaborated with rapper Proof and others, releasing a self-titled EP in 1995, and they formed The Dirty Dozen (D12) in 1996, releasing The Underground E.P. in 1997 and Devil’s Night in 2001; during this time, Eminem also recorded his debut album Infinite in 1996, exploring themes of fatherhood and facing commercial failure, leading him to evolve his rhyming style and face personal challenges, including a suicide attempt.
What is Slim Shady?
Eminem gained attention with his alter ego Slim Shady, recording the Slim Shady EP in 1997, featuring explicit and provocative lyrics; after being featured in The Source’s “Unsigned Hype,” Eminem caught the interest of Dr. Dre, leading to the release of The Slim Shady LP in 1999, which, despite accusations of imitating another rapper’s style, became highly popular and marked the beginning of a successful collaboration between Eminem and Dr. Dre.
What was Eminem’s initial success like?
After releasing The Slim Shady LP, Eminem founded Shady Records in 1999 with manager Paul Rosenberg, recorded The Marshall Mathers LP in 2000, which set records for fastest-selling hip hop album, and established collaborations with Dr. Dre; Eminem’s subsequent albums, including The Eminem Show in 2002 and Encore in 2004, continued his success, with The Eminem Show becoming the best-selling album of 2002, and after a hiatus, he released the compilation album Eminem Presents: The Re-Up in 2006 following the murder of his childhood friend Proof.
What is known as the comeback of Eminem?
In September 2007, Eminem discussed his contemplation about releasing another album, citing personal struggles, but in 2009, he released “Relapse” and “Recovery,” with the latter selling over five million copies worldwide, marking a commercial success and re-establishing his presence in the hip-hop world, and during this period, he also formed the duo Bad Meets Evil with Royce da 5’9”, releasing the EP “Hell: The Sequel” in 2011 and achieving milestones like having two diamond-certified albums and being the most-followed person on Facebook with over 60 million likes.
What were the 2010s like for Eminem?
On November 5, 2013, Eminem released his eighth album, “The Marshall Mathers LP 2,” featuring singles like “Berzerk,” “Survival,” “Rap God,” and “The Monster” with Rihanna, achieving significant commercial success and marking his seventh album to debut atop the Billboard 200; later in 2014, he released a compilation album, “Shady XV,” and in 2015, a 10-disc vinyl box set titled “The Official Eminem Box Set”; in 2017, he criticized President Trump in a cypher at the BET Hip Hop Awards, participated in Pink’s song “Revenge,” and teased the album “Revival,” which was released in December 2017 and met with mixed reviews, followed by his surprise album “Kamikaze” in August 2018.
What were the 2020s like for Eminem?
On January 17, 2020, Eminem surprised fans with the release of his album “Music to Be Murdered By,” featuring collaborations with various artists. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making Eminem the first artist with ten consecutive albums to debut at number one; later, he released a deluxe edition titled “Music to Be Murdered By – Side B” in December 2020. Eminem’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 was celebrated with a performance, featuring surprise appearances by Steven Tyler and Ed Sheeran, during which he reflected on his journey in hip-hop and acknowledged the artists who paved the way for him.
What was Eminem’s rapping style?
Eminem’s rapping style is influenced by Esham, Kool G Rap, and Masta Ace, incorporating elements of dark, provocative storytelling akin to Esham, intricate rhyme schemes reminiscent of Kool G Rap, and a reflective, personal approach inspired by Masta Ace. He often employs alter egos in his songs, with the most notable being Slim Shady, known for dark, violent, and humor-infused lyrics, showcasing Eminem’s versatility in his craft.
What are some details of Eminem’s personal life?
Eminem, subjected to scrutiny as both a rapper and public figure, has had a tumultuous personal life, including two marriages to Kimberly Anne Scott, issues with prescription drug (Vicodin, Ambien, and Valium) addiction, and a significant period of recovery starting in 2008. His struggles with relationships, drug abuse, and a home invasion incident highlight the complexities of his personal journey.
What are some of Eminem’s feuds?
Eminem’s feud with Insane Clown Posse began in 1997 when he promoted his debut EP’s release party, leading to a misunderstanding with Violent J. The conflict escalated with diss tracks, including Eminem’s insults on “The Marshall Mathers LP.” The feud was reportedly squashed in 2005, marked by a bowling game between D12 and Psychopathic Records members. Eminem has engaged in various other feuds throughout his career, including conflicts with Everlast, Canibus, Ja Rule, Benzino, Mariah Carey, Moby, and Machine Gun Kelly, with diss tracks and public exchanges characterizing these disputes.
What were some of Eminem’s controversies?
Eminem faced legal issues, including arrests for a paintball gun incident, brandishing an unloaded gun, and assault. He was sued by his mother, Kim, and others, with various outcomes. Eminem’s lyrics, sometimes considered controversial, led to threats against President Bush and accusations of homophobia. Despite legal challenges, Eminem’s influence on hip-hop and his impact on racial perceptions in the music industry have been widely acknowledged. He has been likened to artists like Bob Dylan and recognized for addressing societal issues through his music. Eminem’s mentorship has also played a role in launching the careers of several hip-hop artists.
