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EMINEM

Artist profile

Marshall Bruce Mathers III a.k.a. Eminem

Born: October 17, 1972 in St. Joseph, Missouri, U.S.

“Look, if you had one shot or one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment - would you capture it... or just let it slip?”

Born on October 17, 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri, rap musician Eminem had a turbulent childhood. He released The Slim Shady LP in early 1999, and the album went multi-platinum, garnering Eminem two Grammy Awards and four MTV Video Music Awards. In 2000, the rapper released The Marshall Mathers LP, which was noted as the fastest-selling album in rap history. More recently, in 2010, Eminem released the Grammy-winning album Recovery, a highly autobiographical attempt to come to terms with his struggles with addiction and experience with rehabilitation. Eminem released his eighth album, MMLP2, in 2013.

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American rapper, record producer and actor Eminem was born Marshall Bruce Mathers III on October 17, 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He never knew his father, Marshall Mathers Jr., who abandoned the family when Eminem was still an infant and rebuffed all of his son’s many attempts to contact him during his childhood. As a result, Eminem was raised by his mother, Deborah Mathers. She never managed to hold down a job for more than several months at a time, so they moved frequently between Missouri and Detroit, Michigan, spending large chunks of time in public housing projects. “I would change schools two, three times a year,” Eminem later recalled. “That was probably the roughest part about it all.”

This itinerant lifestyle left a large impact on his personality. He had no close friends, kept almost entirely to himself and was treated like an outcast at each new school. “Beat up in the bathroom, beat up in the hallways, shoved into lockers,” he remembered. Eminem has been scathingly critical of the way his mother raised him. Through his song lyrics, he has publicly accused her of being addicted to prescription drugs as well as subjecting him to emotional and physical abuse. However, Deborah Mathers has vehemently denied all such accusations, and in 1999 she filed a $10 million defamation lawsuit against her son. They settled the case for $25,000.

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Eminem attended Lincoln High School in Warren, Michigan, where he failed the ninth grade three times and eventually dropped out at the age of 17. Despite being a poor student, Eminem always had a deep affinity for language, devouring comic books and even studying the dictionary. “I found that no matter how bad I was at school, like, and no matter how low my grades might have been at some times, I always was good at English … I just felt like I wanna be able to have all of these words at my disposal, in my vocabulary at all times whenever I need to pull ’em out. You know, somewhere, they’ll be stored, like, locked away.”

As a teenage dropout, Eminem found a way to express his passion for language, as well as to release his youthful anger, through the emerging musical genre of hip-hip. He identified with the nihilistic rage of late-1980s and early-1990s rap music, and he was especially taken with N.W.A., the popular and highly controversial gangster rap crew from Los Angeles.

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Although at the time rap music was almost exclusively produced by black people, Eminem, who has pale white skin and bright blue eyes, nevertheless entered into the Detroit rap scene as a frequent competitor in rap “battles”—competitions in which two rappers take turns insulting the other through improvised rap lyrics. Eminem proved highly skilled at such verbal sparring and, despite his race, quickly became one of the most respected figures in Detroit’s underground rap scene.

He recalled, “I finally found something that yeah, this kid over here, you know, he may have more chicks, and he may, you know, have better clothes, or whatever, but he can’t do this like me. You know what I mean? He can’t write what I’m writing right now. And it started to feel like, you know, maybe Marshall’s gettin’ a little respect.” Mathers assumed the stage name M&M, a playful reference to his initials, which he later began writing phonetically as “Eminem.” This period in Eminem’s life—working odd jobs to make ends meet while participating in rap battles and desperately attempting to land a record contract—was later dramatized in Eminem’s semi-autobiographical film, 8 Mile.

It was also during this period that Eminem began dating Kim Ann Scott, and in 1995 the couple had a daughter named Hailie Jade Scott. Inspired by the birth of his daughter to make a living as a rapper, in 1996, Eminem released his first independent rap album, Infinite. Though the album displayed flashes of his verbal prowess, biting wit and flair for storytelling, the low-budget record failed to turn a profit or attract more than local attention.

A year later, however, Eminem released The Slim Shady EP, which was discovered by Dr. Dre, the legendary rapper and former producer of Eminem’s favorite rap group N.W.A. After Eminem traveled to Los Angeles and became runner-up in the 1997 Rap Olympics MC Battle, Dre listened to the rapper’s cassette in the basement of executive Jimmy Iovine’s home. Dre was so impressed that he signed Eminem to his Interscope Records label. In 1999, after two years of working with Dre, Eminem released The Slim Shady LP. The heavily hyped record became an instant success and went on to sell over three million copies. Eminem’s first single, “My Name Is,” mixed a childish humor and energy with rampant profanity and flashes of violence—a potent and fascinating combination that felt different from anything else in rap. Marshall and Kim Mathers married later that same year.

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Eminem released his second major label studio album, The Marshall Mathers LP, in May 2000. The album showed off Eminem’s poetic talents as well as his emotional and artistic range. His songs vary from manically funny (“The Real Slim Shady”) to heartbreakingly poignant (“Stan”) to explosively violent (“Kim”) to disarmingly self-critical (“The Way I Am”). The Marshall Mathers LP sold over 19 million copies worldwide, won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, received a nomination for Album of the Year and is widely considered among the greatest rap albums of all time.

Nevertheless, The Marshall Mathers LP also came under a firestorm of criticism for its excessive profanity, glorification of drugs and violence and its apparent homophobia and misogyny. While Eminem attempted to mitigate such criticism by maintaining that his raps simply use the rough language he has been surrounded by since childhood, and later by performing a duet with Elton John at the Grammy Awards to demonstrate his openness to the gay community, Eminem nevertheless remains widely reviled in some quarters for his offensive lyrical content.

In 2001, Eminem reconnected with several of his friends from the Detroit underground rap scene to form the group D12, recording an album called Devil’s Night featuring the popular single “Purple Pills.” A year later, Eminem released a new solo album, The Eminem Show, another popular and critically acclaimed album highlighted by the tracks “Without Me,” “Cleaning Out my Closet” and “Sing for the Moment.” His next album, 2004’s Encore, was less successful than his previous efforts, but still featured popular songs such as “Like Toy Soldiers” and “Mockingbird.”

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For the next several years, Eminem recorded very little music and was largely consumed by personal problems. Eminem and Kim Mathers divorced in 2000 but continued to maintain a tumultuous off-and-on relationship until remarrying in 2006. Nevertheless, they divorced again several months later and began a protracted, ugly and highly public custody dispute over their daughter Hailie. Meanwhile, Eminem slipped further into alcoholism and addiction to sleeping pills and prescription painkillers. In December 2007, he overdosed and nearly died. “If I would have got to the hospital two hours later, that would have been it,” he said.

By early 2008, Eminem had managed to kick his addictions to drugs and alcohol and returned to recording music. He released his first album of new music in five years, Relapse, in 2009, featuring the singles “Crack a Bottle” and “Beautiful.” In 2010, Eminem released another album, Recovery, a highly autobiographical attempt to come to terms with his struggles with addiction and experience with rehabilitation. His most acclaimed album in years, Recovery struck a somewhat gentler and more inspirational tone than his previous music. Eminem said, “I don’t want to go overboard with it but I do feel like that if I can help people that have been through a similar situation, then, you know, why not?” The revealing album won Eminem a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.

Eminem is doubtlessly one of the most acclaimed rappers in the genre’s brief history. As much as any other individual artist, he is responsible for rap’s transformation into a mainstream music genre over the past decade. And after 10 years and seven albums, the rapper who shocked, appalled and fascinated the music world with the unbridled rage of his youthful music is reinventing himself as a mature artist.

“I started learning how to not be so angry about things, learning how to count my f—ing blessings instead. By doing that, I’ve become a happier person, instead of all this self-loathing I was doing for a while,” Eminem said. “The music, I wouldn’t say it’s gotten happier, but it’s definitely more upbeat. I feel like myself again.”

Eminem released his eighth album, MMLP2, on November 5, 2013. The announcement for the future Grammy-winning album, formally titled The Marshall Mathers LP 2, was made during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards. On the awards show, Eminem leaked a snippet of the first single from his album, entitled “Berzerk.” He went to reach of the top of charts with “The Monster,” a track that also featured Rihanna and earned a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

In 2014, Eminem celebrated the 15th anniversary of his Shady Records label with a special two-CD set called ShadyXV. The collection features the label’s most popular songs as well as some new material. The new single “Guts Over Fear” quickly rose up the charts after its late October debut.

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Also read: Top 15 Eminem Songs. Official site: Eminem

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Discography

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Movies

8 Mile

8 Mile

For Jimmy Smith, Jr., life is a daily fight just to keep hope alive. Feeding his dreams in Detroit's vibrant music scene, Jimmy wages an ext...

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Eminem - Live from New York City 2005

Eminem - Live from New York City 2005

This concert was filmed at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2005 at the culmination of his farewell tour prior to his retirement. It’s...

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Eminem E

Eminem E

A Collection of Eminem's Music videos up to 2000: 1. Stan 2. The Way I Am 3. The Real Slim Shady 4. Role Model 5. Guilty Conscience 6. ...

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Eminem: All Access Europe

Eminem: All Access Europe

All Access Europe is a video album released by Eminem in 2002. The album contains segments of Eminem's live performances during a European t...

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Shady: CXVPHER

Shady: CXVPHER

Shady Record's mission statement....

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The Concert for Valor

The Concert for Valor

A live HBO concert honoring United States veterans in Washington DC....

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Eminem: The Final Countdown

Eminem: The Final Countdown

Official Eminem Documenary. Pre-show to Eminems 'live' performance on Showtime Networks....

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Not Afraid: The Shady Records Story

Not Afraid: The Shady Records Story

This documentary is an in-depth look into not only Eminem's career, but also the careers of the all the artists' who graced the label over t...

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Partners in Rhyme: The True Story of Infinite

Partners in Rhyme: The True Story of Infinite

Eminem’s debut studio album “Infinite” was released in November of 1996. “Partners In Rhyme” is the true story of the album and fe...

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Eminem: Live At Reading Festival 2017

Eminem: Live At Reading Festival 2017

01.Band Intro 02.Square Dance 03.Won't Back Down 04.3 a.m. 05.Business 06.Kill You 07.White America 08.Mosh 09.Evil Deeds 10.Rap Go...

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Eminem, Where Have You Been?

Eminem, Where Have You Been?

Where's Em been? School, fool. But despite his fame and fortune, this exclusive documentary shows that returning to the halls of high school...

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Eminem Behind the Lyrics

Eminem Behind the Lyrics

Rapper, record producer and songwriter Marshall Bruce Mathers III, commonly known as Eminem was born in 1972 in Kansas City, USA. Having sol...

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Eminem - BBC Radio 1 Live

Eminem - BBC Radio 1 Live

Eminem performs Love The Way You Lie ft Skylar Grey from the BBC's legendary Maida Vale Studios for Annie Mac on Radio 1....

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Eminem: Diamonds And Pearls

Eminem: Diamonds And Pearls

DIAMONDS AND PEARLS is a documentary film which tells the story of Eminem’s extraordinary life and incredible musical career, via the use ...

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Eminem: A Shady Story

Eminem: A Shady Story

Marshal Bruce Mathers III, better know by his stage name Eminem and his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwr...

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Eminem - The Anger Management Tour

Eminem - The Anger Management Tour

The inaugural Anger Management Tour was founded and started in the fall 2000 by Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, and after the release of The Marsha...

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Eminem: Hitz & Disses

Eminem: Hitz & Disses

Documentary - The Detroit-born Marshall Mathers emerged from poverty-stricken roots to become Eminem, the most commercially successful (and ...

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The Slim Shady Show

The Slim Shady Show

This animated series gives rapper Eminem yet another outlet for his genius, this time as his alter ego, Slim Shady. His cartoon identity is ...

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Stans

Stans

A revealing, edgy, and disarmingly personal journey into the world of superfandom, told through the lens of one of the world’s most iconic...

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Torrance Rises

Torrance Rises

A mockumentary chronicling the Torrance Community Dance Group (from Fatboy Slim's "Praise You" video) on their road to the MTV Video Music A...

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Word: A Hip-Hop Film

Word: A Hip-Hop Film

Featuring interviews with Capone, Melle Mel, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, as well as live performances from M.O.P, Dead Prez and Company Flow, ...

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THE SHOW: California Love

THE SHOW: California Love

Go behind the scenes of the historic Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige and Emi...

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Bye Bye Barry

Bye Bye Barry

When NFL superstar Barry Sanders vanished at the height of his career, he left the NFL world in shock. He was still in his prime, chasing th...

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The Up in Smoke Tour

The Up in Smoke Tour

The Up in Smoke Tour is a West Coast hip hop tour in 2000 featuring artists Ice Cube, Eminem, Proof, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg, Kurupt,...

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Da Hip Hop Witch

Da Hip Hop Witch

5 teenage rappers gets notice of a mysterious witch that supposedly lurks in the ghetto and those who are attacked by her gets a successful ...

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50 Cent | The New Breed

50 Cent | The New Breed

The DVD documents the making of the songs and albums by 50 Cent, especially his Get Rich or Die Tryin' album released that year. Some of the...

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The DOC

The DOC

Dave Caplan’s directorial debut tells the inspirational story of hip hop icon The DOC, 30 years after losing his voice in a horrific accid...

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Xzibit: Restless Xposed

Xzibit: Restless Xposed

Restless Xposed is the all-access pass that brings you into the world and behind the scenes of rising hip hop superstar Xzibit as he surges ...

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LA Originals

LA Originals

Photographer Estevan Oriol and artist Mister Cartoon turned their Chicano roots into gritty art, impacting street culture, hip hop and beyon...

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Beef IV

Beef IV

Beef IV is the fourth installment of the Beef series. It is a documentary about Hip hop rivalries and beefs (arguments). It was released on ...

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Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap

Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap

SOMETHING FROM NOTHING: THE ART OF RAP is a feature length performance documentary about the runaway juggernaut that is Rap music. At the wh...

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How to Make Money Selling Drugs

How to Make Money Selling Drugs

Ten easy steps show you how to make money from drugs, featuring a series of interviews with drug dealers, prison employees, and lobbyists ar...

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Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives

Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives

Exploring the social impact of what The Source Magazine in 1998 voted, "The Best Hip Hop Radio Show Of All-Time." The documentary film is th...

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Music Videos That Defined the 00’s

Music Videos That Defined the 00’s

...

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The Wash

The Wash

With the rent due and his car booted, Sean (Dr. Dre) has to come up with some ends...and fast. When his best buddy and roommate Dee Loc (Sno...

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Battle of the Baddest

Battle of the Baddest

The fight that turned sport on its head. In a historic match up, we present an unprecedented look behind the scenes to explore how the match...

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2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

The 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony take place on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Ca...

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Funny People

Funny People

Famous and wealthy funnyman George Simmons doesn't give much thought to how he treats people until a doctor delivers stunning health news, f...

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Pauly Shore Is Dead

Pauly Shore Is Dead

Hollywood comedian/actor Pauly Shore loses everything: his house, nobody in Hollywood wants to represent him, he moves back home with his mo...

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2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Filmed at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony honors inductees: Tina Tur...

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Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert

Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert

The Coachella concert series is examined through the lens of rare footage, interviews, and performances from some of the most famous perform...

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The Interview

The Interview

Dave Skylark and his producer Aaron Rapaport run the celebrity tabloid show "Skylark Tonight". When they land an interview with a surprise f...

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The Slim Shady Show

The Slim Shady Show

This animated series gives rapper Eminem yet another outlet for his genius, this time as his alter ego, Slim Shady. His cartoon identity is ...

More info

50 Cent | The New Breed

50 Cent | The New Breed

The DVD documents the making of the songs and albums by 50 Cent, especially his Get Rich or Die Tryin' album released that year. Some of the...

More info

Bodied

Bodied

A progressive graduate student finds success and sparks outrage when his interest in battle rap as a thesis subject becomes a competitive ob...

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Eminem: All Access Europe

Eminem: All Access Europe

All Access Europe is a video album released by Eminem in 2002. The album contains segments of Eminem's live performances during a European t...

More info

The Slim Shady Show

The Slim Shady Show

This animated series gives rapper Eminem yet another outlet for his genius, this time as his alter ego, Slim Shady. His cartoon identity is ...

More info

Stans

Stans

A revealing, edgy, and disarmingly personal journey into the world of superfandom, told through the lens of one of the world’s most iconic...

More info

8 Mile

8 Mile

For Jimmy Smith, Jr., life is a daily fight just to keep hope alive. Feeding his dreams in Detroit's vibrant music scene, Jimmy wages an ext...

More info

Venom: Let There Be Carnage

Venom: Let There Be Carnage

After finding a host body in investigative reporter Eddie Brock, the alien symbiote must face a new enemy, Carnage, the alter ego of serial ...

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Southpaw

Southpaw

Billy "The Great" Hope, the reigning junior middleweight boxing champion, has an impressive career, a loving wife and daughter, and a lavish...

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The Equalizer

The Equalizer

McCall believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when he meets Teri, a yo...

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Real Steel

Real Steel

Charlie Kenton is a washed-up fighter who retired from the ring when robots took over the sport. After his robot is trashed, he reluctantly ...

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The Interview

The Interview

Dave Skylark and his producer Aaron Rapaport run the celebrity tabloid show "Skylark Tonight". When they land an interview with a surprise f...

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Paperboys

Paperboys

Training his lens on a once ubiquitous but now fading slice of Americana, documentarian Mike Mills profiles six paperboys who call Stillwate...

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