Eminem, or Slim Shady, is a Grammy and Academy Award-winning rapper and record producer. Interested in rap from a young age, Eminem began performing as early as 13, later gaining some popularity with the group Soul Intent. He emerged in 1999 as one of the most controversial rappers to ever grace the genre. His message spoke to legions of disaffected youth who had few role models in the rap world, who could relate to the white lower-class experience.
Eminem uses his wit and incredible skills to vent on everything, from his unhappy childhood to his contempt for the mainstream media. The controversy over his lyrics was the best publicity that he could get. His debut record, 1996's Infinite, received few good reviews. Undaunted, he created Slim Shady, an alter ego that was not afraid to say whatever he felt. He became famous in the hip-hop underground because of his distinctive style and the fact that he was white In a predominantly black genre.
The Marshall Mathers LP appeared in the summer of 2000, moving close to two-million copies in its first week of release on its way to becoming the fastest-selling rap album of all time. The first single in the album, "The Real Slim Shady" is widely considered to be Eminem's "signature" and best commercial single. Eminem also stepped in front of the camera and filmed 8 Mile, a film loosely based on his life directed by Curtis Hanson.
Eminem’s most recent release was a greatest hits album called Curtain Call: The Hits in 2005. |
