Shit what you know about death threats
Cause I get a lot.
The best-selling artist of the 2000s… there is literally no chance you could have imagined that Eminem would own an entire decade when you first heard that goofy but shocking song “My Name Is” back in middle school. This was a time when “The Real Slim Shady” had a very good shot of being mistaken for any “other Slim Shady.” There was a period of time before “Eminem” and “Slim Shady” and “Marshall Mathers” were everyday vernacular for one man. One rapper. But not like any rapper there’s been, nor likely will ever be again. Not like him.
Eminem has just as much skill as any other rapper there’s ever been. There’s simply no way to talk about best rappers ever without him being an honest and honorable choice. Unlike some of his competition for this title of “most gifted MCs”, however, Eminem knew how to write hits (sorry Big L and Rakim). Not only hits, though, endless songs with amazing replay-ability factor. His songs transcend. I often find myself forgetting about one or two of his songs, hearing it again, then remembering hearing them for the first time almost 15 years ago. People of my age grew up on Eminem. With The Slim Shady LP coming out in February of 1999, and his heavy presence on Dr. Dre’s 2001 (out only 10 months later), he 100% dominated our core musical upbringing. At age 12, Emimem was just starting to dominate the airwaves, TRL, and school dances. You can’t tell me that your musical tastes weren’t really starting to flourish at this age. From parties to dances to your CD burner, it’s been unscientifically proven that there was a 30-40% chance a song with Eminem in it would be coming on shortly.
Now, I’m not the biggest Eminem fan in the world, but I most certainly am in awe of his rap quality, and most importantly, his songwriting and producing. He is simply an unbelievable song-maker. You don’t sell as many records as he has with gimmicks or flaws in talent. He’s the Michael Jackson of rapping. He’s got the skill of Nas, with the selling power of Jay-Z (and let me get my quick Jay-Z barb in… Eminem’s a way better rapper). He’s got the perfection combination of rapper and hit-maker. His three-album run of The Slim Shady LP, The Marshall Mathers LP, and The Eminem Show is borderline untouchable.
I thought a little bit about how he could have so many great songs and deep albums. It occurred to me that it’s because he has so many different song styles to show off various aspects of his rapping and songwriting. It’s hard to get stale as a musical performer when you have so many different musical styles to utilize. It’s more than that, though, you have to have the talent and skill to perfect each style, and beyond that, perfect it many times over for each type.
So here’s a quick breakdown of Eminem’s different styles, from my perspective. Again, I’ve been a big fan for a while, but not the biggest fan (I’ll leave that Josh, Jesse, and Sky), so feel free to let me know some of your own thoughts! I’ve ranked these (of course I did, I love making lists) “categories” in reverse order in terms of my personal favorite types of songs. I also am including some examples of each type too, and yes, some probably would end up in more than one. Deal with it.
- 7) “New Eminem”: Ok, so this first category is kind of bull-shit, but notice in all that writing above I don’t really mention anything past 2004. Wasn’t on accident. I’m simply not a big fan of much of his stuff past this time. I think he got too poppy, and his hits were a product of that, rather than being a product of amazing raps and beats. He got too KROQ. He started sounding like everyone else, and that’s not the Eminem I like. Nope. It’s a real shame that many of these songs are some of his biggest hits. I fear that the younger generation will think this is Eminem.. that truly would make me cringe. You’ll notice that I do, indeed, have some “newer” (2004 was almost 10 years ago..) songs of his in the categories below. Those are not the songs I’m talking about haha. He’s definitely had some sweet songs post 2004, just not many (IMO). Anyway, back to some garbage..
- Song Examples: Love the Way You Lie (absolute trash), Not Afraid, I Need a Doctor (Dr. Dre song), Going Through Changes
- Album Example: Recovery
- 6) Infinite (-esque): Infinite was a sick album. I can definitely see why hardcore Eminem fans love it. It’s got a lot of good stuff. He put out a few songs post-Infinite with that same feeling. It’s not always the “prettiest” outcome, but it’s always pretty good.
- Song Examples: Just Don’t Give a Fuck, songs from Infinite (that makes sense!)
- Album Example: (Insert brain here)
- 5) Druggy: It’s no stranger Eminem had a serious drug
problemfascination. He’s quite poetic when he raps about each and every single time he “walks around looking like a wind-up doll.” Really a pretty straightforward category. These songs were typically the deeper cuts of the album, and likely the ones you are most likely to forget how good they are. These can sometimes bring the most satisfaction and feelings of nostalgia. These songs are usually pretty funny too. All in all, a very memorable category, even if you need a little reminder. Drinking and drugs until you throw up, again, Marshall? Yes please!- Song Examples: My Fault, Drug Ballad, Old Time’s Sake, Under the Influence, Purple Pills (D12 song)
- Album Examples: Various
- 4) Violent/Sociopathic Tendencies/Shocking: Ya… so this is certainly one of those pillars of his rapping styles that makes him one of the most controversial musicians ever. Like, on the Mount Rushmore. Ummm… so can we just say it? Em simply sounded like he was out of goddamn mind at times. He sure had a way with the words.. While most rappers are quite threatening, Em literally threatens to pretty much dismember, rape, murder, and perform various first-degree felonies upon anyone he comes across. Celebrities included! Oh, and his mother and ex! Don’t forget about murdering the guy who gave him his big break and close friend, Dr. Dre! Fun for everybody! He does it in such a catchy and (usually)humorously way, though, so you just focus on the fake insanity of it and laugh.. as opposed to focusing on the real insanity of it. Some may say the weird (understatement of the day) accent he “discovered(?)” on Relapse was scary enough, but the authentic serial killer tales he tells certainly will do the trick. Not quite as humorous and catchy as his early stuff, but either way, these types of songs are unmistakably classic Eminem. P.S. Does anyone hate someone as much as Eminem hates Kim? Yeesh.
- Song Examples: Kill You, Criminal, Stay Wide Awake, 3AM, ’97 Bonnie and Clyde, Amittyville, Same Song & Dance, Kim
- Album Examples: Recovery, Marshall Mathers LP
- 3) Goofy and Catchy Hits: Unlike his recent hits which rely on tired and trite radio templates, these songs are genre-defining, no-doubt classics. These songs usually have a little bit of flavor from various Eminem styles. They all have can’t-miss beats and super tight production. The majority of Eminem’s popularity and meteoric rise can be directly attributed to these songs dominating the radio, and their accompanying videos dominating MTV. Unbelievably catchy and almost always perfection (or close to it), these were Eminem’s calling card to fame. You need a party jam? Any of these will be do it, and do it well. You’ll also notice that the first three here just happen to be the lead singles from each of his first three major albums. This is not a coincidence..
- Song Examples: My Name Is (the song that started it all, more on it below..), The Real Slim Shady, Without Me, Purple Pills (D12 song), My Band (D12 song)
- Album Examples: His first three major albums (the best ones)
- 2) Pure Rapping Brilliance: Ok, so this is basically my way of saying that these are those all-time classic Eminem songs. Most all were hits, but they didn’t particularly exhibit a strong enough trait of any of the previous or future categories. They just have it all. The core essence of these songs comes from Eminem’s deadly duo of amazing songwriting and flawless flow. Eminem’s legacy as an all-time rapper and musician comes from his technical virtuosity at his craft. These songs highlight that undeniable skill. When people talk about the greatest MCs of all-time, it’s likely songs from this category will be used as proof.
- Example Songs: Lose Yourself, Stan, Forgot About Dre and What’s the Difference (Dr. Dre songs), Cleaning Out My Closet, Patiently Waiting (50 Cent song), Renegade (technically a Jay-Z song, but Nas wasn’t lying when he said to S Dot Carter, “Eminem murdered you on your own shit.”
- Example Albums: Pretty much the best song on any of his own albums, and the best song on album he guests on.
- 1) Aggressive and Angry: So how do you beat the incredibly broad and seemingly-unsurpassable category named “Pure Rapping Brilliance”? Well, you make pure rapping brilliance and refine it with a style that’s in-your-face, raw… masterful. These songs domineer your ears. You feel the passion and the energy. You hear Eminem’s signature flow, unequivocal wordplay, and blunt honesty. He’s not playing around with these songs. He’s telling it how it is, and he’s making sure you won’t soon forget. You won’t be able to; not with songs these good. These exemplify the angry and aggressive style of Eminem, but it’s a focused energy. It’s a short story detailing exactly why Eminem is angry, why he makes the types of songs found in the previous 7 categories. This is Eminem giving us exactly who he is, with no punches pulled. He’ll tell you exactly why he’s a piece of shit, and why everyone else who judges him is just as guilty for their flaws as he is. He’s sick of it. It doesn’t matter. He “hate[s] to be bothered with all of this nonsense it’s constant” and that “you hate it but you know respect you’ve got to give me.” No doubt, couldn’t have said it better myself, so I’ll stop now.
- Example Songs: The Way I Am (my favorite Eminem song), ‘Till I Collapse, White America, Role Model
- Example Album: The Marshall Mathers LP and Eminem Show
Hope you enjoyed reading a little bit (more than I expected) about Eminem. I really hope his new stuff and whatever comes next doesn’t ruin the fact that he was the best rapper on the planet for a stretch there, and he’s undoubtedly one of the greatest rappers of all time.
P.S. In “The Way I Am”, he mentions, “let’s stop with the fables, I’m not gonna be able to top on “My Name is… ” and I bet he honestly believed that. I certainly believed it. It’s easy to forget how HUGE a hit “My Name Is” and how that song rocket-launched him straight to the top from the very start. Many thought he could just be a one-hit wonder white rapper who got lucky with one song. Well, safe to say that wasn’t the case.. (you did just read everything above, right?). Anyway, Eminem’s most famous, and what many (probably the majority) would call biggest song ever is, of course, “Lose Yourself” from the 8 Mile Soundtrack (oh ya, he also just happened to make a really good movie about his life, no biggie..). It’s an anthem. The opening beat will likely be played at sporting events for years and years. It’s the ultimate pump-up song, the “Eye of the Tiger” for modern athletes. I’d say it’s safe to say it has, indeed Marshall, topped “My Name Is” as his signature song.
Videos From List (note how many millions of hits these songs have… crazy!):
My Name Is (the one that started it all..)
The Way I Am
Stan
Lose Yourself
Till I Collapse (R.I.P. Nate Dogg. If anyone could topple Eminem for total appearances in the classic 2000 hip hop jams, it would be Nate).
Without Me
Forgot About Dre
What’s the Difference?
Patiently Waiting
The Real Slim Shady
Whisper Yells 