Marshall Mathers; Then and Now
Although Marshall Bruce Mathers III, AKA “Slim Shady” or “Eminem” is considered to be one of the most famous rappers in the music world, he had a rocky experience as a child (Biography; Marshall Mathers AKA Eminem). Mathers has gone from a person who despises family, to someone who would give up anything to be with his loved ones. Even though he grew up in the “hood,” he has turned his life around by becoming one of the wealthiest rappers in the United States. His financial status has changed dramatically, going from hoodlum barely staying alive, to a millionaire. Even though 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. Eminem as a child and the man he has become are two different people in many ways. The relationship he shared with his family throughout his childhood was not even considered to be a healthy, loving relationship; compared to his loving relationship he shares with his daughter, Hailie now. While Eminem was living in poverty throughout his childhood, today money has bettered his lifestyle and he does not have to worry about raising his child in the “hood.” Eminem’s early years as a rapper does not compete with his career today; he’s gained musical acceptance from many other artists and thrives on the support from his loving fans.
For Mathers, family wasn’t top priority during his young adolescent years. He worried solely on himself because of family issues he was going through at the time. His mother, Debbie Mathers-Briggs, being a drug addict that she was, and his father, being unavailable to the family, led him to believe that a familial bond does not exist (Biography: Marshall Mathers AKA Eminem). However, today he understands the meaning of love and affection that develops within a family. He often expresses the impact family has on his life within his music. In his new album, Relapse 2, he continues to mention how important family means to him and what he would do to give up his musical career. He states, “But they can do little to the middle finger, I think I got a tear in my eye, I feel like the king of my world, haters can make like bees with no stingers and drop dead,” meaning he could care less about what people think of him when he gives up his career to “focus solely on handling my responsibilities as a father” (Not Afraid By Eminem). Compared to Mathers’ childhood, today sharing a strong relationship with his family is imperative in order to maintain his happiness.
While Mathers spent much of his childhood adapting to new neighborhoods every few months, today he maintains a permanent residence in Rochester, MI (Biography for Eminem). His childhood consisted of moving back and forth between Kansas City and Detroit (Biography for Eminem). Although, growing up in impoverished neighborhoods doesn't exactly describe a healthy and normal childhood; as for Mathers it was the basis to his life. His family lived in trailers, mobile homes, lived with relatives or in public housing (Eminem's Biography). His mother’s low income was the main reason for the continuous moving back and forth between cities. While he faced financial problems in his family, today Mathers has become one of the wealthiest men in the United States. Switching living accommodations from a mobile home or a trailer, to a pent house apartment is definitely a boost in financial status. In reality, Mathers can afford anything his heart desires living like he does now. His lifestyle as a child does not compare to his living accommodations today.
Even though Marshall Mathers or “Eminem” is a big time rap artist now; it took him a few years to get started. His passion and ambition has remained the fluent throughout his early career. Mathers took on rapping around four years old. He began battling schoolmates in the lunchroom. By the age of seventeen Mathers 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). Mathers was invited to rap in the freestyle category at the 1997 Rap Olympics in Los Angeles Olympics where Dr. Dre spotted him and offered him a partnership (Biography; Marshall Mathers AKA Eminem). After Dr. Dre offered him a partnership many other rappers had their eye on Mathers. He received respect and gained musical acceptance from many critics, artists and ethnicities (Holloway, Lynette). Marshall Mathers had the first rap album to be nominated “Album of the Year,” and won several Grammy awards. 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 rapping partner in a matter of a few years is an incredible accomplishment. Although 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 and an artist. Treating his family very poorly and going through emotional states has 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 (Biography for Eminem). 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.
Holloway, Lynette. "The Angry Appeal of Eminem Cutting Across Racial Lines." ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times [New York] 28 Oct. 2002, C1 sec.: 1-2.The New York Times. ProQuest. Web. 14 Oct. 2010.
this is a lot better than the original. good job on the revision!!
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