Jan 04, 2006 02:23 PM
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(Updated Jan 04, 2006 02:23 PM)
Please note that this is not a Review on Eminem's album but a review on Eminem as a Singer, Artiste and a Performer. I requested MS to include Eminem as a separate category but they refused so this review comes here.Hope you understand.
Marshall Bruce Mathers III better known to us as EMINEM was born on October 17, 1972 in St. Joseph, Missouri, USA, and he is the best selling Rap and Hip-Hop Artiste till date having sold a whopping 65 million albums worldwide, and that’s a huge huge number.
I first heard Eminem`s Real Slim Shady back in 2001 and I really like it and since that date I have been a huge fan of Eminem, have bought each of his album till date and also downloaded each of his Music Video as well.
When you first listen to Eminem you might say what the hell about what he is singing as his Rap is quite incomprehensible the first time but believe me once you start deciphering his lyrics he would surely grow on you.
Eminem has released 13 Album s till date, his first Album “Infinite” was released in 1996 and he sold from the trunk of his car and sold a paltry 500 copies, his first big album was “The Slim Shady LP” released in 1999 that sold 9 million copies and won him 2 Grammy Awards. In 2000 he released another Album named “The Marshall Mathers LP” that sold 18 million copies and won him 3 Grammy Awards.
MAJOR ALBUMS:
The Slim Shady LP (1999) (9 million worldwide)
The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) (18 million worldwide)
The Eminem Show (2002) (18 million worldwide)
8 Mile Soundtrack (2002) (Rapping on five of the tracks) (9 million worldwide)
Encore (2004) (11 million worldwide)
Curtain Call: The Hits (2005) (1.6 million till date) and going strong…
MAJOR SONGS:
The Real Slim Shady
Like Toy Soldiers
Without Me
The Way I Am
Stan
My Name Is…
He has won a total of 9 Grammy Awards and 1 Oscar Award for his performance in the Song “Lose Yourself” from the movie “8 Mile”, he has also been nominated for 3 Grammies for the 2006 Grammy Awards and a total of 21 Nominations till date.
Eminem has had a pretty sad Childhood, when he was not even 2 years old his father abandoned his family and he faced loads of Financial Problems, his mother was also a victim of Drug Abuse, he has also sung about his early days in songs like Brain Damage, Cleaning out my Closet and Evil Deeds.
When in 1996 his first album didn’t do too well and he had problems with his future wife Kim he attempted suicide but was saved and after that he really fought for himself: Married Kim, released his first big hit and had his first daughter Hailie who is mentioned in songs like 97’ Bonnie & Clyde, Hailies Song and Mockingbird.
His Music Career took off when the World Famous Producer Dr. Dre identified his talent in 1997 when Eminem won the 1997 Rap Olympics MC battle and since then Dr. Dre has been producing his albums to much acclaimed success.
Most of his songs are based on some particular themes that are:
· Drugs and self-abuse
· His mother and childhood
· Being white in a black business/culture
· His ex-wife Kim Mathers
· Raising his daughter and niece
· America and the government
· Poking fun at celebrities and American pop culture
He has always been a part of various controversies like his Mother filing a Lawsuit against him, taking a poke at George Bush in the song Mosh, Having fun with Britney Spears, Cristina Aguilera and a host of other English Music Stars and always speaking against Homosexuality.
The one controversy I love is one surrounding his video “Just Lose it” poking fun at Michael Jackson which parodies Jackson's child-molestation accusations, Jackson's plastic surgeries, and an incident in which Jackson's hair caught on fire while he was filming a Pepsi commercial in 1984, this video was banned on some music channels as well, but seriously speaking I just love this Video.
Eminem made his Acting Debut in the Movie “8 Mile” in 2002 in which he won the Oscar Award for the Best Original Soundtrack Song, this movie is a semi-autobiographical account of Eminem`s Life.
Eminem also owns a Record Company called Shady Records and is a co-owner of Aftermath Records with 50 Cent and Dr. Dre. He is also a Music Producer for various groups like D 12, 50 Cent and Obie Trice. He also owns an apparel company called Shady Ltd.
There has been a lot of speculation about Eminem retiring as a Solo Performer in 2005 and that he has supposedly released his last album Curtain Call: The Hits on 6th December 2005. It includes three new songs and also his various hits in the last few years. The reason for his retirement is to focus on acting, spending time with his daughter and niece, and more on his increasing popularity in production, but Eminem has denied these rumours. In his latest interview he has stated that he plans to remarry his ex-wife Kim and that he would take a break as a Singer but continue producing Albums for other artistes.
Eminem has been one enigmatic artiste of the last decade with a very strong fan following all across the World, hopefully he comes to India on a tour; I am anxiously waiting for that. I am sure he would continue entertaining people with his in your face Lyrics and Music Videos in time to come, and I sincerely hope he doesn’t retire.
Its true his lyrics are very explicit and outrageous but I love the way he sings his heart out every time he picks the microphone and I really love his voice.
Hope this review was interesting and gave you information about Eminem`s Life.
Till my Next Review…
Love n Luck…
nishanu34
