Trailer Trash
Eminem was born into a poor, working-class family
in Missouri. As a child, he and his mother moved
constantly, staying at relatives' homes in places as
disparate as Warren and Kansas City. As a result,
he found it difficult to make friends, and
retreated into his comic books and television. "We
were like the real, stereotypical, trailer park,
white trash," according to Eminem.
Inspired by Rap artists
When he was 12, his mother finally settled down
on the east side of Detroit. There, he began
listening to artists like LL Cool J and the 2 Live
Crew. "I didn't really start opening up until eighth
grade, going into ninth," he said. He started to
battle against other rappers, and quickly gained a
reputation as a nimble rhymer.
What its like to be a minority
As a white rapper singing predominantly “black”
music, Eminem got into many fights while in
school. Often out of fear for his survival, he
mastered the art of skipping school which caused
him to fail the ninth grade and eventually drop
out. "I tried to go back to school five years ago,"
he said, "but I couldn't do it. I just wanted to rap
and be a star."
Honing his craft
He held several minimum-wage jobs, while working
at his craft. He established a reputation as the
only white rapper taking to the Detroit “talent
night” microphones. He eventually released an
independent album, “Infinite” which was met with
harsh criticism
Determination to succeed
Despite the criticism – he was determined to find
a way out of the trailer park. He continued to
appear in shows and on radio stations in Detroit.
He was given a boost by a prominent feature in
Source's Unsigned Hype column, and gained
revenge on former critics when he won the
Freestyle Performer Of The Year award, and
finished runner-up in Los Angeles' annual Rap
Olympics.
Getting Discovered
The legendary Dr. Dre heard Eminem on an LA
radio station, and was convinced he wanted to
work with him. Dre signed Eminem to his record
label, and they began work on his next album.
More Turbulence
He just had a daughter with his on/off girlfriend,
Kim, with whom he had a very tumultuous
relationship; he was estranged from his mother;
he was abusing alcohol and drugs with alarming
frequency; and he had attempted suicide on at
least one occasion.
Focused Anger
His troubled life fueled his anger. He drew from
it when writing angry words and attacks against
his detractors. His experiences provided
inspiration for some brilliant lyrics that seemed to
connect with rap audiences. With his anger
focused on his lyrics, along with the support of
Dr. Dre, the album debuted at No. 3 on the
Billboard charts, and later went triple platinum.
Haven't got time for the pain
Despite his material success, he still had to deal
with fallout from the often offensive lyrics, the
negative press, being sued by his mother, his wife
filing for divorce, gun possession charges, his wife’s
suicide attempt, and multiple trips to rehab to
battle old habits and addictions.
Learning from mistakes
While no doubt controversial, Eminem at least
should be commended for his continued efforts
at rehabilitation. Through all his difficulties, he
has made a concerted effort to deliver a blunt
message to his followers. “don’t do drugs, don’t
have unprotected sex.” While it probably wouldn’t
be approved by the FDA, it is hoped that his
brutal honesty will resonate with youth to not
repeat his mistakes.
The Bottom Line
Through it all, he has been honest, authentic,
and has shown determination in overcoming
adversity. Under any conditions, it is difficult to
ignore his impact as a lyricist, musician, and
cultural icon.
Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney praised Mathers
for his “verbal energy” and for arousing popular
interest in poetry and lyrics.
Eminem was born into a poor, working-class family
in Missouri. As a child, he and his mother moved
constantly, staying at relatives' homes in places as
disparate as Warren and Kansas City. As a result,
he found it difficult to make friends, and
retreated into his comic books and television. "We
were like the real, stereotypical, trailer park,
white trash," according to Eminem.
Inspired by Rap artists
When he was 12, his mother finally settled down
on the east side of Detroit. There, he began
listening to artists like LL Cool J and the 2 Live
Crew. "I didn't really start opening up until eighth
grade, going into ninth," he said. He started to
battle against other rappers, and quickly gained a
reputation as a nimble rhymer.
What its like to be a minority
As a white rapper singing predominantly “black”
music, Eminem got into many fights while in
school. Often out of fear for his survival, he
mastered the art of skipping school which caused
him to fail the ninth grade and eventually drop
out. "I tried to go back to school five years ago,"
he said, "but I couldn't do it. I just wanted to rap
and be a star."
Honing his craft
He held several minimum-wage jobs, while working
at his craft. He established a reputation as the
only white rapper taking to the Detroit “talent
night” microphones. He eventually released an
independent album, “Infinite” which was met with
harsh criticism
Determination to succeed
Despite the criticism – he was determined to find
a way out of the trailer park. He continued to
appear in shows and on radio stations in Detroit.
He was given a boost by a prominent feature in
Source's Unsigned Hype column, and gained
revenge on former critics when he won the
Freestyle Performer Of The Year award, and
finished runner-up in Los Angeles' annual Rap
Olympics.
Getting Discovered
The legendary Dr. Dre heard Eminem on an LA
radio station, and was convinced he wanted to
work with him. Dre signed Eminem to his record
label, and they began work on his next album.
More Turbulence
He just had a daughter with his on/off girlfriend,
Kim, with whom he had a very tumultuous
relationship; he was estranged from his mother;
he was abusing alcohol and drugs with alarming
frequency; and he had attempted suicide on at
least one occasion.
Focused Anger
His troubled life fueled his anger. He drew from
it when writing angry words and attacks against
his detractors. His experiences provided
inspiration for some brilliant lyrics that seemed to
connect with rap audiences. With his anger
focused on his lyrics, along with the support of
Dr. Dre, the album debuted at No. 3 on the
Billboard charts, and later went triple platinum.
Haven't got time for the pain
Despite his material success, he still had to deal
with fallout from the often offensive lyrics, the
negative press, being sued by his mother, his wife
filing for divorce, gun possession charges, his wife’s
suicide attempt, and multiple trips to rehab to
battle old habits and addictions.
Learning from mistakes
While no doubt controversial, Eminem at least
should be commended for his continued efforts
at rehabilitation. Through all his difficulties, he
has made a concerted effort to deliver a blunt
message to his followers. “don’t do drugs, don’t
have unprotected sex.” While it probably wouldn’t
be approved by the FDA, it is hoped that his
brutal honesty will resonate with youth to not
repeat his mistakes.
The Bottom Line
Through it all, he has been honest, authentic,
and has shown determination in overcoming
adversity. Under any conditions, it is difficult to
ignore his impact as a lyricist, musician, and
cultural icon.
Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney praised Mathers
for his “verbal energy” and for arousing popular
interest in poetry and lyrics.
| Look, if you had one shot, one opportunity To seize everything you ever wanted…One moment Would you capture it or just let it slip? He knows that he’s broke He’s so stacked that he knows When he goes back to his mobile home, that’s when it’s Back to the lab again He better go capture this moment and hope it don’t pass him You better lose yourself in the music, the moment You own it, you better never let it go You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo The soul’s escaping, through this hole that is gaping This world is mine for the taking Make me king, as we move toward a, new world order A normal life is borin, but superstardom’s close to post mortem It only grows harder, only grows hotter He blows its all over He’s grown farther from home, he’s no father He goes home and barely knows his own daughter No more games, I’ma change what you call rage Tear this roof off like 2 dogs caged I was playin in the beginnin, the mood all changed I been chewed up and spit out and booed off stage But I kept rhymin and stepwritin the next cypher Best believe somebody’s payin the pied piper All the pain inside amplified by the fact that I can’t get by with my 9 to 5 And I can’t provide the right type of life for my family Cuz man, these goddam food stamps don’t buy diapers And it’s no movie, there’s no Mekhi Phifer, this is my life And these times are so hard and it’s getting even harder Tryin to feed and water my seed, plus Teeter totter, caught up between bein a father and a prima donna Baby mama drama’s screamin on and Too much for me to wanna Stay in one spot, another day of monotony Has gotten me to the point, I’m like a snail I’ve got to formulate a plot fore I end up in jail or shot Success is my only option, failure’s not Mom, I love you, but this trailer has got to go I cannot grow old in Salem’s lot So here I go is my shot. Feet fail me not cuz maybe the only opportunity that I got, You can do anything you set your mind to, man |
The pain inside amplified by the fact that I can’t get by with my 9 to 5 And I can’t provide the right type
of life for my family cuz these food stamps don’t buy diapers...success is my only option...failure's not...
of life for my family cuz these food stamps don’t buy diapers...success is my only option...failure's not...
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
