Childhood
Eminem was born on October 17, 1972 in the province of Missouri, the small town of St. Joseph. His real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III. He was the only child in the family.
His father, Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr., born in 1947, was a creative artist and a member of a local band in Kansas City. Deborah Nelson, Eminem’s mother, who was born in 1955, also worked there as a singer. The parents met in 1970, Deborah was only 15 years old, and almost immediately after meeting they got married. Two and a half years later, a boy was born into the family, the birth was very difficult, lasted 73 hours, and Deborah almost died during it. They decided to give their son exactly the same name as his father.
And when the baby was only six months old, the father left them and his mother, went to California and never met his family again. Deborah's relatives helped raise the baby, and as a result, the boy became very attached to Ronnie, his mother's brother. Deborah herself constantly dreamed of improving her financial situation and the life of her small child; in search of a good place to work and live, she moved a lot from one locality to another. So little Marshall traveled with his mother at an early age.
When the boy was 12 years old, he and his mother finally settled in Detroit, Michigan. They settled in a suburban area (eastern part of Detroit), the population there was mainly African-American. Here the boy went to school, but often played truant, and his relationships with dark-skinned peers did not work out. Marshall spent his free time from school at home, watching movies and reading comics.
In the fourth grade, a black high school student began to constantly terrorize him, and others also bullied him; no one wanted to be friends with a white-skinned boy. Due to difficult relationships, I had to change schools several times, but this did not save me from an almost tragic incident. In 1983, Marshall was severely beaten by his peers in the school toilet, his ears even began to bleed, after which the child could not be brought out of a coma for about 10 days. Such suffering, humiliation and a difficult childhood left their mark on Eminem’s future work.
A year after this incident, Marshall and his mother moved to Kansas City. The boy was incredibly happy about this, because he again met his uncle Ronnie, whom he loved very much. Eminem considers him his best friend in life. My uncle was always into rap and taught it to his little nephew. When Marshall was still 4 years old, he was already performing his own rap. And on this visit, Ronnie recorded several of his cassettes with rap music for his nephew and also gave Ice-T’s “Reckless” cassette, which prompted the young boy to finally take the path of a rapper.
Eminem biography
The author and his alter ego
He changed his sonorous name - Marshall Bruce Mathers III - to the pseudonym Eminem (you can find this spelling: EMINƎM). Some rap compositions, replete with black humor, are read by the singer and composer on behalf of the comic character Slim Shady.
He also has another alter ego – homosexual Ken Caniff, who parodies the songs of the rapper’s “main personality”. We will call the artist as everyone is accustomed to - simply Eminem.
Son of a young single mother
Eminem's biography begins on October 17, 1972 in a provincial town in Missouri called St. Joseph. He nearly died during birth and almost killed his young mother Deborah. The birth was difficult and lasted three days. Deborah Mathers-Briggs (maiden name Nelson) had not yet celebrated her 18th birthday, and she married the father of the future rapper at 15. She had to raise her son alone: Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. abandoned Deborah and has not seen her or his child since then. Eminem's ancestry included English, Scottish, German, Swiss, Polish and even Luxembourgish.
In search of a better life, Debbie wandered almost all over the country, stopping in Detroit. Her son did not find a common language with his African-American classmates and almost paid for it with his life - the nine-year-old boy was brutally beaten in the school toilet, and he did not wake up from a coma for 10 days.
White rapper
Eminem's passion for rap began when he was given a cassette by musician Ice-T. It seemed absurd to those around him that a white guy was rapping, but Eminem did not give up, he performed at school concerts and won rap battles. He took his first steps in his career in the groups “Soul Intent”, and then in “D12”. The biographical film “8 Mile” tells about the singer’s difficult teenage years, for the song for which the rapper received an Oscar in 2003.
In 1996, a breakthrough occurred in Eminem’s creative biography - he released his first disc “Infinite”, however, it turned out to be quite weak, the guy was accused of being an imitation. He was completely killed by the negative reviews, but found the strength to move on and eventually developed his own style. Eminem was helped by rap patriarch Dr. Dre. With his help, the album “The Slim Shady LP” was released in 1999, which had incredible success, and the video for the song “My Name Is” became a hit on the MTV channel.
Shock is Eminem style!
The style, manner and, most importantly, the lyrics of the new rap star, generously supplied with strong expressions, caused endless discussions. Eminem was accused of homophobia, xenophobia, and hatred of women. But there were also a sea of defenders of the author - they argued that all this was irony, satire on society, black humor. Eminem himself briefly commented on this controversy: “I talk about things that shock people, but I don’t do things that shock them.” Later, at one of his shows, the famous host Anderson Cooper (a representative of the Vanderbilt clan, openly gay) directly asked Eminem whether he hated representatives of sexual minorities. The singer firmly answered: “No.”
The beginning of a creative journey
When the boy was 13 years old, he was already inventing and recording his own rap. This music fascinated him more and more every day. He performed rap freestyles in the school cafeteria, and over time gained a reputation as a very capable rapper.
Already at the age of 14, he began performing in local clubs, competing there with other aspiring rappers and came up with the stage name “M&M” (the first letters of his first and last name), later this pseudonym was transformed into “Eminem”.
Rap captivated the young man so much that he could not live even a day without this music. At the age of 17, Marshall made the final decision to leave school and devote his life to creativity. He performed live on local radio every night.
Since 1992, Eminem began performing at the most famous rap club in Detroit. Once a week he took part in rap competitions, which over time he began to win constantly. This could not go unnoticed, and he was invited to perform at the best radio station in Detroit.
In late 1993, Deborah's mother told her son that Ronnie, his uncle and friend, had died. He committed suicide by shooting himself with a shotgun. Eminem went into a deep depression, locked himself in a room, and, without leaving, listened to the records that Ronnie once gave him. The singer quit rapping and stopped writing songs.
He was brought back to creativity by the message that his beloved woman Kim was pregnant and they would soon have a daughter. Inspired by this news, Eminem returned to rap, updated his repertoire and soon began working with a small record company.
In 1996, Marshall's first solo album, Infinite, was released, but he didn't make much money from it. But the respect of the public and several positive reviews about his album in very influential magazines added optimism to the singer.
Nevertheless, her daughter was growing up, and Marshall could barely earn money for diapers for her. He had to change low-paying jobs one after another. When he released his second album, “Slim Shady EP,” he firmly decided that if it did not bring him material means to live, he would quit rapping.
Within 10 months, Marshall performed in hip-hop clubs, the singer was noticed and received an invitation to take part in the annual Rap Olympics competition, where he came second.
Britney Spears
It was at the beginning of the new millennium, when both Eminem and pop diva Britney Spears were incredibly popular, that they collided. Both singers at that time hinted to journalists and fans that they were together, that there was an affair between them. Although none of the couple openly confirmed this fact, everything was obvious. The romance did not last long, but they were one of the most cherished and popular couples, admired by all fans and all lovers of modern music at that time.
The pinnacle of glory
The producer, black rapper Dre, heard the tracks from the album “Slim Shady EP” and called Eminem. They met and their fruitful collaboration began. In 1999, the re-released “Slim Shady EP” was released and became an instant hit. The video for the song “My Name Is” turned out to be especially successful; it was played constantly on MTV. This album subsequently went multi-platinum and won two Grammy Awards.
At the end of spring 2000, Eminem's second studio album, The Marshall Mathers LP, was released. Here his talent was revealed from different sides, there are songs funny and sad, self-critical and incredibly cruel. The album sold 19 million copies, won a Grammy, and is currently one of the best rap albums of all time.
In 2001, Eminem became a member of the group "D 12", where he sang with his friends from Detroit. At the same time, he did not give up his solo career and already in 2002 he released a new, again mega-popular album, “The Eminem Show”.
Since then, each of his studio albums has been a worldwide success:
- "Shady XV";
- "Recovery";
- Encore;
- "Relapse".
Stealth is not a vice
In fact, it’s unusual for a rapper to talk openly about his emotions. He used to reflect his problems - both everyday and spiritual - in songs. It was music that became for him that very outlet and way of getting rid of stress. So such a frank interview with Michael is already great progress.
Once upon a time, in 2011, in an interview with one of the world's tabloids, Eminem admitted that children are the meaning of his life and that he does not know how he would have lived to see this day if not for his beloved girls.
Nevertheless, there are some episodes of his life that he would like to hide even from his children. According to the musician, all these episodes are connected with the other side of fame and success, because being a popular and famous artist is by no means as simple as it might seem at first glance.
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Other activities and achievements
In 2002, the film “8 Mile” was released, where Eminem played the main role. The film is almost autobiographical, as it tells the story of a young white rapper living in an African-American neighborhood in Detroit.
Jimmy "Rabbit" Smith Jr., played by Eminem, works in a factory and writes rap, trying to start and build a career in such difficult conditions. He has to go through many difficulties: a severe beating, the loss of his beloved girl. But he still won the final rap battle. He won and left, realizing that this life was not for him.
The film turned out to be quite successful both in terms of box office receipts and in terms of how audiences received it. With a budget of $41 million, the film grossed $242 million worldwide. Eminem wrote a song for the film and won an Academy Award for it in 2003.
In addition to this picture, Eminem starred in the following films:
- "Washing";
- "Beauties";
- "Pranksters";
- "Interview".
The singer is the founder of his own charitable foundation, which helps Michigan children born into disadvantaged families.
He has his own radio station and record label. He has received a Grammy Award 15 times. Wesley Gibson based his appearance on Eminem for his main character in the Wanted comics.
Eminem got into the Guinness Book of Records, as in one of his songs he accelerated to 6.5 words per second. In 6 minutes and 4 seconds he performed 1560 words - this, of course, is a record.
Personal life
In the history of music, there is no more famous white rapper than Eminem. But he became famous not only for his albums, but also for his scandals and love affairs. He married the same woman twice, and also had affairs with the most popular modern singers.
When Marshall was 15 years old, he met the great love of his life, Kimberly Ann Scott. They were both still in school at that time. When Kim had family problems, she and her sister lived at Marshall's house for some time. They dated for 10 years and got married only in 1999, at which time their daughter Haley Jade Scott was already 4 years old, the girl was born in 1995. At that moment, Eminem was just ascending to the pinnacle of fame, and their marriage could not withstand such a test. In 2001, the couple separated.
After 5 years, Kim and Marshall reconciled, got married again and even got married again. This time the marital relationship lasted several months. The couple filed for divorce again, amicably agreeing to share custody of their daughter. This time, the cause of the discord was drugs, alcohol and infidelity, and all this on both sides.
The yellow press attributes Eminem with romances with such pop divas as Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Tara Reid and Beyoncé. The singer has a special passion for representatives of the porn industry, whom he periodically films in videos. For about six months he had a relationship with the flamboyant Brittany Andrews, then an affair with another porn star, Gina Lynn.
In 2002, Eminem had a relationship with the actress who starred with him in the movie 8 Mile, Brittany Murphy. They lived together for some time, but nothing serious came of it.
Despite such a stormy personal life, Eminem is now alone. He still considers Kim Scott a part of his life. Sometimes there are rumors that the couple is about to get back together, but this has not happened yet.
Humiliated and insulted: stars who were offended by Eminem
For anyone, Marshall Mathers is no stranger to slinging mud, denouncing and sending people into a verbal knockout. During his career, Eminem managed to speak out about everyone and everything, from politicians to ex-girlfriends.
So, Mariah Carey listened to barbs directed at her for seven years after breaking up with the rapper. The guy insulted his own wife countless times in songs and even recorded an obituary song for her after Kimberly Scott tried to commit suicide. At the beginning of his career, the performer did not spare a strong word for his mother, and in 2014, in honor of reconciliation, he released the song and video Headlights. For some, Shady's hatred came by default. For example, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga listened to unflattering comments addressed to them simply because they irritated Eminem with the very fact of their existence. Marshall also always liked to speak out on topical topics - Nicki Minaj’s butt received the most merciless response from the performer, and an entire video for the song Just Lose It is dedicated to the scandal with Michael Jackson.
On the occasion of Eminem's birthday, InStyle.ru remembers the celebrities who fell victim to the rapper's eloquence.
Kim Kardashian
Damn, I think Kim Kardashians a man She stomped him just cause he asked to put his hands On her massive Gluteus maximus again Squeeze it, then Squish it, then pass it to her friend Can he come back as nasty as he can Yes he can , can, don't ask me this again He does not mean to lesbian offend
8 of Prince Harry's most scandalous antics Read
Michael Jackson
What else could I possibly do to make noise I done touched on everything, but little boys And that's not a stab at Micheal That's just a metaphor, I'm just psycho
Norah Jones
What the fuck is going on? Who the fuck is Norah Jones? Shady, wait a minute, baby, leave the whore alone Just go up there and be humble and take them awards home
Miley Cyrus
Hannah Montana, prepare to elope with a can opener And be cut open like cantaloupe on canopy beds And Glad bags, yeah, glad to be back
Lady Gaga
Bell's waiting, and tell Lady Gaga, she can quit her job at the post office, she's still a male lady Wouldn't fuck her with her dick, you heard the verdict's in
Mariah Carey
Wow Mariah, didn't expect you to go balls out Bitch, shut the fuck up 'fore I put all them phone calls out You made to my house when you was Wild'n Out before Nick When you was on my dick and give you something to smile about How many times you fly to my house, still trying to count
Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, Ricky Martin, Britney Spears
I just sit back and just watch and just get nauseous And walk around with an empty bottle of Remy Martin Startin' shit like some 26yearold skinny Cartman (Goddamn it!) An antiBackstreet and Ricky Martin Whose instinct's to kill N'Sync, don't get me started These fuckin' brats can't sing and Britney's garbage What's this bitch, retarded? Give me back my sixteen dollars!
