Alissa Burch
Doctor Kerr
English 101 H1
Oct. 1, 2010
Marshall Mathers vs. Slim Shady; Then and Now
Marshall Bruce Mathers III, also known as “Slim Shady,” is one of the most famous rappers in the music making world. Marshall had a rocky experience as a child and he is still learning how to cope with his life problems (Biography). Mathers was neglected by his family during his young adolescent years and today he is following the same direction with his daughter, Hailie. Even though he grew up in the “hood,” he was able to turn his life around by becoming one of the wealthiest rappers in the United States. His financial status has changed dramatically, from not affording clothes, to not worrying about how much money he spends daily; his average income is $31.8 million dollars. Even though Marshall Mathers had a difficult time getting started as a rapper, today he is one of the many artists to hit the top 100 list. At the beginning of his career he was rejected by many other rappers, while today many artists grovel at his feet. By creating the persona Slim Shady, Marshall was able to overcome neglect and poverty of his youth; he went from being an insignificant want-to-be to a world-famous, multi-millionaire rapper (Biography for Eminem).
Marshall Mathers spent much of his childhood adapting to new neighborhoods every few months. His family moved back and forth between Kansas City and Detroit. In 1985, his family settled down in Detroit, Michigan. Because of quick transitions between schools, it wasn’t easy making friends, staying out of trouble or graduating high school. Mather’s failed ninth grade three times before realizing school wasn’t for him (Biography). He never had a father figure in his life to admire because his father left when he was young. Going from a lonesome child to the person he is today has affected Mathers emotionally and psychologically. Mathers felt neglected from his family because his father left when he was young and the only parent available to him wasn’t a “mother figure” (Biography for Eminem). This had a tremendous impact on his future. Mathers is following the same path his father did with his family. Mathers’ rapping persona mentions in one of his songs, Not Afraid, “His gift is a curse,” meaning that his fame and fortune that Shady has brought him has torn him from his family. Mathers continues to neglect his daughter, Hailie, just as he was neglected as a child. Ever since Hailie was born his career has been first priority in his life. It’s hard for a little girl to grow and mature without a father figure present in her life. Hailie might follow the same footsteps her father did as a struggling adolescent fighting for attention from his parents.
Although, growing up in impoverished neighborhoods doesn't exactly describe a healthy and normal childhood; as for Marshall Mathers it was the basis to his life. His mom, Debbie Mathers-Briggs, faced many financial problems raising a family without any support from her husband. Her low income was the main reason for the continuous moving back and forth between cities. Their family was living in trailers, mobile homes, living with relatives or public housing (Eminem's Biography). Marshall's financial status has risen since his early childhood. Within the past ten years Mathers has become one of the most famous rappers alive. Because of his success in the music industry, Mathers lives on the upscale of life. Switching living accommodations from a mobile home or a trailer, to a pent house apartment in New York City is definitely a boost in financial status. Marshall can afford anything his heart desires; Talk about a change in lifestyle.
Even though Marshall or “Eminem” is a big time rap artist now, it took him a few years to get started. Marshall took on rapping around four years old. After he was able to scramble sentences together, he began battling schoolmates in the lunchroom. By the age of seventeen Marshall made a new rapping persona for himself; “M&M,” which he changed the spelling to “Eminem” (Biography for Eminem). He soon moved onto rapping in night clubs in Detroit and Michigan, along with joining ad hoc groups like Basement Productions, the New Jacks and D12 (Eminem Biography). He didn’t stop there; Marshall was invited to rap in the freestyle category at the 1997 Rap Olympics in Los Angeles. At the Olympics Dr. Dre spotted him during his performance and offered him a partnership (Biography). Once he started working with Dr. Dre many other rappers had their eye on Mathers. Marshall Mathers had the first rap album to be nominated “Album of the Year,” and won several Grammy awards over the past ten years. His success sold over eight million records in the United States alone (Biography for Eminem). Going from a lunchroom battle mate to a Dr. Dre partner in a matter of a few years is an incredible accomplishment. Although Marshall Mathers had a rough start in the music industry, he was able to pull himself together to become a rapping legend he is today.
Marshall Mathers has completely changed his lifestyle around. He’s learned from his experiences and grown as a person. From treating his family very poorly and going through emotional states, made him realize how important family is to him and his career can’t be the only critical thing in his life. Mathers had a tough time earning his mother’s love and today he has problems creating emotional connections with others, like his daughter Hailie. While connecting with others has been a challenge throughout his life, Mathers also had difficulties with his financial status in the past; now he’s making millions. He went from rags to riches literally, coming from a slum in Detroit to living in the suburbs. When he began rapping he was far from where he is considered now, from being a joke on the mic to now being arguably the greatest rapper ever. Eminem has clearly matured looking from his work as “Slim Shady” that depicts women as less than human, to now rapping about how he loves his daughter; as well as pushing through difficult situations and learning to not be afraid.
Works Cited
“Biography for Eminem.” The Internet Movie Database. Amazon.com, 2010. Web. 25 Sep 2010.
“Biography: Marshall Mathers AKA Eminem.” Associated Content, Inc. Arts and Entertainment, 2010. Web. 1 Oct 2010.
“Eminem Biography.” Sing365.com, 2007. Web. 27 Sep 2010.
“Eminem’s Biography.” Eminemlab.com, 2009. Web. 29 Sep 2010.
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