Research and Planning
Eminem was born Marshall Bruce Mathers III on October 17, 1972 in Saint Joseph, Missouri as the only child. His father abandoned the family when he was 18 months old, and he was raised solely by his mother. Eminem join a group “Bassmint Productions” and released their first EP, ‘Steppin’ onto the Scene’. They later changed their name to “Soul Intent” and around 1995 they released their first single “Fuckin’ Backstabber” under the record label Mashin’ Duck Records. Despite a well-documented struggle succeeding in a predominantly African – American industry, he gained the approval of underground hip hop audiences.
Infinite is the debut album by Eminem, released November 12, 1996, on Web Entertainment. The album was recorded and produced from late 1995 to mid 1996, he also gain help and experience from the Bass Brother and fellow D12 Member Kon Artis, Broof and Eye-Kyu, along with fellow rapper Thyme of 5 Elementz and Three. Eminem was ready to release his album; the album was written and recorded in 1995. At this time conceived, Eminem had been using the stage name M&M. He changed is stage name after the release of his first official single in early 1995. The album received mixed critical reviews and was met with derision from within the local hip-hop community, earning Eminem unfavourable accusations of copying other rappers’ styles, particularly Nas and AZ, Eminem Recalls: “Obviously, I was young and influenced by other artists, and I got a lot of feedback saying that i sounded like Nas and AZ. Infinite was me trying to figure out how I wanted my rap style to be, how I wanted to sound on the mic and present myself. It was growing stage. I felt like Infinite was like a demo the just got pressed up” While it contains some swearing, Infinite is relatively inoffensive compared to subsequent albums with would make Eminem famous. This album was re-released in 2003 and in 2009, re-released it for a free download.
The Slim Shady LP is the second studio album by Eminem; it was released in February 23, 1999. It is his major label debut and was released under Dr,Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment. It debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart behind TLC’s Fan mail with 283,000 copies sold in its opening week. The first official single was “My Name Is”. The album won the Grammy for Best Rap Album. In 2003, the album was ranked number 273 on rolling stone magazine list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Most songs featured substantial amounts of swearing, homophobic slur, numerous references to sex and drugs, and over-the-top descriptions of violence like in the songs “My Name is”, “As The World Turns”, “Guilty Conscience” and “Brian Damage”. The album lyrics are not to be taken seriously. Eminem himself has referenced Slim Shady as a exaggerated persona. Slim Shady persona does not accurately represent Eminem’s real life and many lyrics are meant as a joke or sometimes out of anger in contrast to his more serious, best-selling second effort ‘The Marshell Mathers LP’.Reviews: (Allmusic 5 Stars) (Muzik 3 Stars)
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The Marshall Mathers LP is the third studio album by Eminem. It was released May 23, 2000. This album sold more than 1.79 million copies, in its first week just in the US. This won a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest selling solo album ever. As of 2005 the album had sold worldwide over 19 million copies. The Rolling Stone placed the Album a 302 on their list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. This album is more serious and personal album than his major-label debut, The Slim Shady LP, which predominantly featured his exaggerated Slim Shady persona. Much of the album is spent addressing his rise to fame and attacking those who criticized his first album. There are also other themes, such as, family, his mother, Kim Mathers (his former wife). Most songs cover, Eminem’s Childhood struggles and family issues, involving his mother, the relationship with his wife Kim, superstardom and Drugs. In 2001 the album won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and was nominated for Album of the Year.(NME gave the album 9/10) (Allmusic 5 out of 5 stars)
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The Eminem Show is the fourth studio album and was released in June 2002. The Eminem Show was the bestselling album of 2002. At the Grammy Awards 2003 it was nominated for Album of the year and became Eminem’s third LP in four years to win the award for Best Rap Album. The LP has sold over 9.8 million copies in the US and over 19 million albums worldwide. It was also ranked at 317 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. This was also Eminem’s first album to be mainly self-produced, and was the first Eminem album to be released under Shady Records. There was some confusion on what the release date was, with some stores selling it on Sunday May 26. However, the release date was May 28 and in the first week the album sold 1.32 million copies in its first week of sales. The Eminem Show was also Eminem’s most successful album in terms of UK charting singles. 4th “cleanin’ out my closet”, 1st “without me”, 6th “Sing for the moment” and 6th “Business”. This album gave a more personal and serious side to Eminem to which we had previously seen, making his albums a lighter tone. Over the course of the album he toucheson the issues of race, Childhood, the United State Government, terrorism, the down side to fame, his status as a star, relationship to his wife “Kim”.Reviews: (Allmusic 4 out of 5 stars) ( Slant Magazine 4 out of 5 stars)
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Cleanin’ Out My Closet
Encore is the fifth studio album by Eminem. It was set for release on November 16 2004, but was moved up to November 12 after the album was leaked to the internet. It sold 1,582,000 copies in its first two weeks. 11 million copies have been sold worldwide. The album was nominated for three Grammys which included for Best Rap Album. The album covered profanities, violent and sexual content, as well a drug reference.Reviews: (Allmusic 3 out of 5 starts) (Blender 4 out of 5 starts)
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Like Toy soldiers
Relapse is the sixth studio album by Eminem and was released on May 15 2009, on Interscope Records. It is his first album of original material since Encore, following a five year hiatus from recording due to his addiction to sleeping pills and issues with writer’s block. Conceptually, Relapse concerns the ending of his drug rehabilitation, rapping after a fictional relapse, and the return of his Slim Shady alter-ego. One of the most anticipated albums released of 2009, it when to number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 608,000 copies in its first week. It also earned him two Grammy Awards and has sold over two million copies in the United States. Worldwide the album has sold 4.5 million copies.Reviews: (Allmusic 4 out of 5 stars) (The Guardian 3 out of 5 stars)
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We Made You
Recovery is the seventh studio album by Eminem, released June 18 2010 by Aftermath Entertainment and Shady Records. It was originally recorded as a sequel to Eminem’s previous album Relapse, Recovery features more introspective and emotional content than its predecessor. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 741,000 copies in its first week in the United States. This made Eminem the first artist in Soundscan history to have four albums debut with sales of over 700,000. It became Eminem’s sixth consecutive number one album in the US and topped charts for seven weeks. The album has sold over three million copies in the US. It received ten nominations at the Grammy Awards including Album of the Year and best rap Album.Reviews: (Allmusic 3 & ½ out of 5 stars) (Popmatters 8/10)
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Love The Way You Lie
Eminem has sold in the UK over 12.5 million records. Also 17 million track downloads in the United States alone. He has also worked with some of the biggest household names to the music industry. He has also made a variety of music videos.
