Eminem was the best-selling recording artist of the first decade of the 21st century. Ten of his albums have reached the top of the Billboard chart; no other rapper in history has sold more records. He has won 15 Grammys, and, a year ago, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

            Born Marshall Mathers in Missouri, he was raised by his mother and wound up on the east side of Detroit by the time he was 12. It was, by all accounts, a difficult childhood for the young Mathers, and he took refuge in comic books and, later, rapping. A high school dropout, he worked menial jobs and continued rapping, sometimes in groups.

            His initial LP, Infinite, went nowhere, but a 1997 second place finish at the L.A. Rap Olympics got him noticed and signed with Aftermath/Interscope and soon he was working with Dr. Dre of N.W.A fame. In early 1999, he released The Slim Shady LP; this was followed a year later by The Marshall Mathers LP, and, in 2002, The Eminem Show. All three albums are highly acclaimed and make clear that here was a formidable talent. What was also clear, from the start, was that this was one hell of a polarizing artist. Many critics and fans fell all over themselves, gushing with praise, but he was also termed “misogynistic,” violent,” dangerous,” “homophobic,” “nihilistic,” and accused of “destroying America.” Eminem countered by noting that gory horror movies get a pass; why not his lyrics?  Is it so different?

            If you aren’t familiar with his music, check out a few of his celebrated tracks: “My Name Is,” a fine introduction to his over-the-top style; “Stan,” a brilliant exploration of obsessive fandom; “Sing for the Moment,” a whole sociological/psychological treatise which, incidentally, samples effectively Aerosmith’s “Dream On;” “Lose Yourself,” the wonderful give it your best shot rap from his iconic semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile.

            I think it’s possible to hold two seemingly contradictory thoughts at the same time: I am frequently appalled and offended by some things Eminem has rapped or said, and I am also absolutely in awe and enthralled at the man’s frequently clever, hilarious, and brilliant use of language and his equally thrilling musical delivery.

            Steve Williams (11/6/23) Greatest Recording Artists Blog Post #60