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Eminem is one of the most
provocative, controversial rappers in contemporary pop music. The
overnight success of his debut album, The Slim Shady LP, literally rocked
the rap world, making him one of the biggest music success storie of 1999.
But Eminem is more than the latest rap artist to blow up. He spent the
last several years paying his dues, and his lyrics, which cover topics
such as poverty and single parenthood, reflect a rough upbringing.
He and his mother moved constantly, staying at relatives'
homes in places as disparate as Warren and Kansas City, Mo. As a result,
Marshall found it difficult to make friends, and he retreated into his
comic books and television. When Mathers was 12, his
mother finally settled down on the east side of Detroit. There, he
attended Lincoln Junior High School and Osbourne High School, hanging out
with friends and listening to artists like LL Cool J and the 2 Live Crew.
He battled against other rappers at his high school, and quickly gained a
reputation as a nimble rhymer.
At the end of the year, Eminem put out a popular 12-inch, "Nuttin' to
Do/ Scary Movies," with fellow Detroit rapper Royce the 5'9".
Meanwhile, a copy of The Slim Shady EP made its way into the hands of Dr.
Dre, the legendary creator of The Chronic and N.W.A., and current
president of Aftermath Entertainment. Dr. Dre quickly signed Eminem to his
label, and the two began preparing The Slim Shady EP for a full-fledged
release, adding songs like "My Name Is …" and "Guilty
Conscience." Early in 1999, Eminem made the world take notice with
his charismatic video for "My Name Is …" parodying everyone
from Marilyn Manson to the President of the United States.
While most in the hip-hop community greeted Eminem with open arms, others
took a more cautious approach, wondering why rock stations across the
country who never played rap music added "My Name Is …" to
their playlists. Was it because Eminem was the first
"legitimate" white rapper to gain widespread popularity?
"I'm white in a music started by black people.
Throughout the year, Eminem has continued to record for other artists,
making appearances on Sway and Tech's This or That compilation, DJ
Spinna's Heavy Beats Vol. 1, Missy Elliott's Da Real World, the
Soundbombing 2 compilation, and Dr. Dre's highly anticipated sequel to The
Chronic, Chronic 2001: No Seeds. And in June and July of 1999, the rapper
took to the road with the Warped tour, filling in for Cypress Hill, who
decided to forgo the tour in favor of recording its next album. After
wrapping up his touring commitments, Eminem plans to take a short break
before returning to the studio to record the follow up to The Slim Shady
LP.
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