Eminem Overview
| Full Name | Marshall Bruce Mathers III |
|---|---|
| Age | 50 |
| Birthday | October 17, 1972 |
| Birth Place | St. Joseph, Missouri, United States |
| Hometown | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Children | Hailie Jade, Alaina Marie, Whitney Scott |
| Height | 5‘ 8" (1.73 m) |
| Net Worth | $230 million |
| Social Media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube |
Eminem is an acclaimed rapper who popularized hip hop in middle America. With his raw, confessional lyrics exploring themes like poverty, addiction, and family turmoil, Eminem resonated with millions of fans worldwide. Though controversial for his offensive content, Eminem played a key role in expanding hip hop‘s audience and inspired many modern rappers.
Early Life in Detroit
Marshall Mathers III was born in 1972 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Debbie Briggs and Marshall Mathers Jr. His father abandoned them when Eminem was still an infant, forcing his mother to raise him on her own. Debbie struggled financially and moved frequently between Missouri and Detroit to find work. When Eminem was 12, they settled in Detroit‘s Eastside, living in a predominantly black, lower-class neighborhood.
As a scrawny white kid, Eminem experienced bullying and developed an interest in storytelling to escape reality. He voraciously read comic books and became engrossed in hip hop, admiring rappers like Dr. Dre, the Beastie Boys, and N.W.A. Eminem started rapping himself around age 14, gaining acceptance from black youths in his neighborhood. Though he attended Lincoln High School in suburban Warren for a while, Eminem dropped out at 17 to pursue his passion for hip hop. He took on various minimum wage jobs to get by, including cooking and dishwashing.
The Struggling Rapper
In the early 1990s, Eminem dove headfirst into Detroit‘s underground hip hop scene, competing in rap battles and open mic events. As he describes in his track "Brain Damage," Eminem endured bullying and sustained head injuries in youth, which likely contributed to his short temper. His determination to succeed in hip hop grew as he gained traction performing at clubs.
Eminem independently released his first album Infinite in 1996. Though it was largely ignored commercially, the album displayed his advanced lyricism and storytelling skills. Eminem reflects candidly on Infinite about struggles with poverty, family, and raising his newborn daughter Hailie Jade (born 1995). This raw, emotional approach would come to define his music.
Mentorship with Dr. Dre
Eminem‘s talent caught the attention of Aftermath Entertainment founder and legendary rapper Dr. Dre. Dre was blown away after hearing Eminem freestyle on a Los Angeles radio show in 1997. He quickly signed Eminem to his label, providing mentorship for launching his mainstream success.
With Dr. Dre‘s guidance, Eminem adopted his provocative alter ego Slim Shady and released The Slim Shady LP in 1999. The album became a commercial smash, earning Eminem his first Grammy for Best Rap Album. His fame grew even more with The Marshall Mathers LP (2000), which spotlighted his technical rapping skills and knack for storytelling. Eminem also starred as a fictionalized version of himself in the 2002 semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile, further boosting his popularity.
Grammys and Accolades
Eminem is one of the most acclaimed rappers in Grammy history, winning a total of 15 awards including:
- 7 awards for Best Rap Album
- Best Rap Solo Performance for "My Name Is" and "Lose Yourself"
- Best Rap Song for "Lose Yourself" and "Not Afraid"
- Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Numb/Encore" with Jay-Z
Beyond Grammys, Eminem also won an Oscar for Best Original Song for "Lose Yourself." He was the first hip hop artist ever awarded this honor.
Eminem has frequently appeared on lists of the greatest artists. Rolling Stone ranked him #83 on their list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. MTV‘s list of Greatest MCs of All Time ranked Eminem at #1 based on fan votes.
Lyrical Themes and Legacy
Eminem is unmatched in his rapping ability. His breakneck rhyme schemes, humorous punchlines, and masterful storytelling set him apart. Eminem mixes his rhythmic vocal lines with a signature aggressive delivery and unique cadence. His evocative lyrics provide raw glimpses into his emotions and past.
Many songs revolve around Eminem‘s struggles growing up in Detroit, including "Cleaning Out My Closet" and "Mockingbird." He raps candidly about family dysfunction, poverty, and dealing drugs. Eminem also explores the dark side of fame in songs like "The Way I Am." His most controversial tracks involve violence against women.
While infamously crass at times, Eminem‘s honest take on life opened new doors for rappers to express themselves freely. He brought hip hop into the mainstream and has directly inspired younger rappers like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Tyler the Creator. There‘s no doubt Eminem changed hip hop forever with his skill and vulnerability.
Battling Drug Addiction
During the peak of his fame in the early 2000s, Eminem developed an addiction to prescription pills and sleeping meds. His dependency worsened while filming 8 Mile as he worked long hours and relied on substances to wind down. By the mid-2000s, Eminem was consuming high quantities of Vicodin, Valium, Ambien and methadone.
Eminem‘s addiction took a heavy toll on his life and health. He canceled tours to check into rehab and nearly died from an overdose in December 2007. But with his family‘s support, Eminem got clean on April 20, 2008 and maintains his sobriety today. Many songs on his albums Relapse (2009) and Recovery (2010) process his struggles with addiction and rehabilitation.
Staying Relevant in Hip Hop
Even in his late 40s, Eminem continues releasing chart-topping albums that engage with current events. His music increasingly contemplates mortality, legacy, and being a father.
The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013) revisited his roots in Detroit with raw tracks like "Bad Guy." Surprise album Kamikaze (2018) slammed newer rappers who cite him as an influence. His 2020 album Music to Be Murdered By sparked controversy for the track "Darkness," which addresses gun violence through the perspective of the Route 91 Harvest festival shooter.
Beyond music, Eminem opened a Detroit restaurant called Mom‘s Spaghetti in 2017, referencing lyrics from his hit "Lose Yourself." He stays connected to the local community that shaped him.
Private Life in Detroit
Eminem is an extremely private person, preferring to keep details about his personal life out of the spotlight. His on-again/off-again relationship with ex-wife Kim Scott was turbulent and emotionally abusive at times, as depicted in songs like "‘97 Bonnie and Clyde." They married in 1999, divorced in 2001, remarried in 2006, then divorced again that same year.
Aside from biological daughter Hailie Jade, Eminem also adopted two other daughters – Alaina Marie and Whitney Scott. He has legal custody of all three girls and remains protective of them. Eminem frequently expresses love for his daughters in songs like "Hailie‘s Song" and "Mockingbird."
Beyond family, Eminem enjoys weightlifting, running, reading, and watching sports in his downtime. Despite fame beyond his wildest dreams, Eminem has stayed loyal to his roots in the Detroit hip hop scene that launched his career. His rags-to-riches story serves as an inspiration for aspiring artists everywhere.
