Monday 6 April 2015

E is for Eminem



In my honest opinion, Eminem is arguably the greatest rapper of all time. There, I said it. And not only does he have the sales and accolades to prove it, he also has one of the most instantly recognizable rap styles in the entire rap game. His aggressive flows are matched with lyrics that have been the subject of much controversy over the years.

Born as Marshal Bruce Matters III, the Detroit rapper rose to fame after the release of his 1999 album, The Slim Shady LP. The album featured his rapping alter ego, Slim Shady, an antisocial drug dealer with violent tendencies. It became a commercial success and was met with critical acclaim, eventually going on to win the Grammy for Best Rap Album, his first of several albums to receive that honor.

Over the course of the next fifteen years, his various songs and studio albums would go on to amass a total of 15 Grammy Awards, as well as over 150 million in sales. His crowning achievement came in 2002 though, when he released the song, Lose Yourself, from the 8 Mile movie soundtrack. The song would eventually win the Academy Award for Best Original Song, making it the first ever rap song to do so.


18 comments:

  1. Eminem! My Rap God!
    Indeed, he is the best rappers the world has ever seen!
    I've listened to almost everything he has produced, and I swear, I'm awestruck!
    One fun fact: Marshall Mathers (MM) and Mithila Menezes (MM) were both born on the same date, if not year (17th Oct). Both are hardened dictionary addicts. And also, both have alter egos (Slim Shady and Fabulus)..
    It's amazing that you did a post on Eminem!

    Fellow #AtoZChallenge Blogger,
    Mithila @fabulus1710
    http://www.fabulus1710.blogspot.in

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    1. Wow. Superfan alert! I'm pretty stoked that you enjoy his music as much as I do. And it's cool that you've got yourself an alter ego. Would love to get to know more about her/him/it. :D

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    2. Hehe.. the alter ego is a girl.. Because only girls can be fabulus! :-P
      Anyways,
      You are nominated for the Liebster Award, a bloggers award!
      Do check this out: http://www.fabulus1710.blogspot.in/2015/04/my-first-blogger-award.html
      Thanks!
      Mithila @fabulus1710

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    3. Gee, thanks. It's been a while since I received one of those. :)

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  2. I just loveeee Enimem! Just yesterday, as I was listening to one of his songs, it stuck me that he has done the "unnatural" - 1st white rapper that has stood the test of time.

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    1. I know, right? It's hard to believe it's already approaching 20 years since he sprung into the limelight, and he has managed to stay relevant for that long, unlike a certain one-hit wonder from the early 90s. *cough* Vanilla Ice *cough*

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  3. "Guess Who's Back" became a favorite after it appeared in the Despicable Me 2" trailer. "Stan" is a favorite.

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    1. Stan is a classic and it remains one of the most heartfelt hip-hop songs till date. I don't believe I caught that particular trailer for Despicable Me 2, but I love both the song and movie. :)

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  4. I still have all my old Eminem CDs from high school. It was fun seeing him live last year at ACL fest.

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    1. I've never had the pleasure of seeing him live, so I am a tiny bit jealous right now. LOL. I'm glad you had fun though. :)

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  5. He actually got a mention at Easter dinner yesterday. I was telling my boys about the neighborhood where I grew up. First house in from 8 Mile Rd about a half-mile from Eminem's neighborhood. Truly a 'shady' area. Just stopping by from A to Z.

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    1. Wow. That's so cool. I think. I wouldn't want to live there or anything, on account of the "shadyness." But to grow up that close to a music icon is just shy of mind-blowing.

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  6. You're welcome, Jeremy. The Challenge is that much more rewarding because of hardworking co-hosts like yourself. :)

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  7. I am not a rap fan - sorry! - but the dude does have talent.

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    1. Totally understandable, Alex. And ditto on the talent. :)

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  8. Yeah. I like Eminem a lot as well. "Without Me" is easily in my top 10 songs.
    "Stan" is also great as song in it's own right but it also introduced me to Dido which is never a bad thing.

    Listening to Eminem free style is wonder.

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    1. I would always remember Stan for that same reason, introducing me and the world at large to Dido and her music.

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