Eminem just celebrated his 44th birthday and this is a good opportunity to take a look back at the oftentimes wild yet inspirational career of the self-proclaimed "Rap God."
There has never been a personality that can court controversy quite like Eminem. Sure, there has been numerous other celebrities or musicians who are also known to be quite controversial and scandalous. But no one in entertainment history took it as far as the rapper. He created media firestorms and beefs with the venom and vitriol he spits out whenever he had a new song.
His first major label in 1999 called "The Slim Shady LP," was one of the early ways where the whole world got to know the rapper. From that album, we got to know that there is absolutely nobody that the Detroit-based rapper would not touch. His alter ego Slim Shady torched his critics, his own wife, and even the woman who gave birth to him.
In between the lyrics, we are treated to something even much broader. Music with so much anger and emotion was missing in the industry ever since Nirvana left the scene. Through Eminem's music, we see a combination of growing up in a less than stellar part of white America. His lyrics dealt with his personal demons, life stories, and anger all delivered with a unique nasal delivery, impeccable flow, and wit.
This combination along with a great mainstream or crossover appeal helped Eminem become Hip Hop's latest phenomenon. He followed that album up with one of his best, "The Marshall Mathers LP." He angered a whole new slew of personalities and groups. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation was one of the most vocal about attacking the rapper's latest album, accusing Eminem of spreading messages of hate and homophobia through his songs.
You can just imagine how Eminem's life was turned upside down. All the success and controversy eventually led to a good chunk of lawsuits which he also touched upon in some of his rhymes, which just led to more lawsuits. One particular case was filed by his own mother for defamation of character.
In 2003, he created his next album which became another smash hit titled, "The Eminem Show," this made the rapper the only musical artist in history to have two diamond-certified albums. At this point, many were already placing him as one of the best MC's to ever do it. The album featured a shocking attack at his mother with the song, "Cleanin Out My Closet." He won big at the Grammy Awards winning Record of the Year and Best Male Rap Solo Performance for the mentioned song.
Eminem also showed that crossover appeal with a surprisingly praised acting role in the movie "8 Mile." He also won an Academy Award for the best original song "Lose Yourself," which was used in the movie.
His next two albums titled "Encore" and "Curtain Call" also became hits. He had some gems like the song, "Just Lose It" which became embroiled in controversy because of its lyrics alluding to Michael Jackson's alleged history of child molestation. His "Curtain Call" album was sort of a greatest hits album which felt like the rapper's bow-out release.
Eminem returned to the scene in 2009 with two more albums called "Relapse" and "Relapse 2." It did not have the same anger and fire as his previous album but nonetheless was still a good addition to the Eminem legacy.
With his imprint firmly in place in the history of Music, only time will tell if Eminem will create a new album to cap off his amazing legacy as one of the best rappers to ever do it.
