What's up with that guy
Marshall Bruce Mathers III (better known as Eminem by most)
was born in St Joseph, MO in 1973, not far from Kansas City. He grew up
without much parental support and without much money.
In his early teens, Marshall started to be interested in rap music, and
he began performing when he was 14 years old. Initially, he performed as part
of Soul Intent in Detroit. In 1996, he made his solo debut when he released
Infinite, on an independent label.
In 1997, Dr. Dre decided to sign Mathers to his record label, which resulted
in the release of Slim Shady LP.
What's up with them pages?
Mathers has been in the news quite a lot. Here are some of the most juicy
tidbits:
- September 1999 - Best Newbie - MTV awards Mathers "best debut"
- February 2000 - Brit? - Eminem is nominated for best debut act for
the Brit Awards, but doesn't win
- September 2000 - MTV loves the guy - Eminem gets prices for best
music video, best male music video and best rap music video
- August 2000 - Gay is Okay - Marshall Mathers had gotten a lot of
negative publicity for his making fun of homosexuals. However, most of this
criticism came from the christian societies and was aimed at Mathers, and
not at the fact he sung about queers. Elton John actually made an official
statement that he thought what Mathers did was okay.
- August 2000 - Lawsuit - Kimberly, Marshall's ex-wife, sues him for
$90 M for libel / slander
- August 2000 - No friends with mommy - After several lawsuits,
Marshall's mother tries it again - previously she tried to sue him for $20M,
she now tries it again - this time for $9M
- September 2000 - Ex-wife suicide attempt - While Mathers is on stage
in Detroit, Kimberly tries to commit suicide, blaming Mathers.
- January 2001 - Man of the year - Marshall Mathers is crowned artist
of the year by Rolling Stone magazine. He is also credited with being the
best hip-hop artist of 2000, the best male artist of 2000, and for releasing
the best album (Marshall Mathers LP) of the year.
- February 2001 - Troublesome Grammies - before and during
the grammy awards, a massive number of people show up to protest against Mathers'
nomination for the Grammy awards, stating he is a bad idol and a hopeless
example for the youth. Mathers does, however win a price for best albu, best
rap-artist and best rap group (with Dr. Dre). as a part of the show, Mathers
performs "Stan" together with Elton John
- March 2001 - Scared of the fans - No matter how tough Mathers might
be, try to be, or pretend to be, in March he announces he is scared to death
(npi) that one of his crazy fans would end up killing him.
- June 2001 - Avoiding Jail - Mathers is sentenced to two years conditional
prison time, after the Insane Clown Posse, another rap group, charged him
with illegal posession of firearms, and for packing a concealed gun without
having a license.
- October 2001 - Divorce - Kimberly divorces Marshall
- November 2001 - New girlfriend? - Sources claim that Kim Basinger
(47) and Mathers (29) have a relationship.
What's up with them names?
Marshall Mathers' first rap-artistic name was Slim Shady, but later,
he decided he didn't like this too much, and decided to call himself Eminem
instead. Rumor has it that he chose "Eminem" after Dr. Dre once
said his rapping was eminent
What's up with that music?
Mathers' music - unlike most other rap music that has made it into the mainstream
- has a certain unpretentiousness to it. Yes, the lyrics have
a virtual overload of violence, but it is at the same time filled with (black)
humor, a good dose of satire and piercing irony, enabling even non-rap-fans
(like me) to appreciate his music.
Mathers has worked together with Dr. Dre on several occations, both live
and on albums. Among other things, Dr. Dre featured on Mathers' Slim Shady
LP, but Mathers was also guest on Dre's Dr. Dre 2001
What's up with them discs?
Brought to you by the baby member of the CRT.
Yo.