Eminem "The Death of Slim Shady" (Album Stream)

In this riveting journey throughout his 12th studio album, The Death of Slim Shady, Eminem delves into uncharted territories, exploring the demise and rebirth of his iconic alter ego. With raw lyrical prowess and captivating storytelling, Eminem delivers an emotional rollercoaster that showcases his evolution. Eminem took out a faux obituary in the Detroit Free Press mourning the loss of his alter ego. It shares, "A product of Detroit who began his career there as a rogue splinter in the flourishing underground rap scene of the mid to late 1990s, Shady first became a household name in 1999 with the debut of his playfully deranged single "My Name Is," which -- along with its uniquely eye catching video -- exposed the young artist and his lyrics to a wider audience. That audience was soon exposed to the extreme darkness of the muse/rapper, as he led millions of music fans down a road that glorified a demonstrably nihilistic worldview. Ultimately, the very things that seemed to be the tools he used became calling cards that defined an existence that could only come to a sudden and horrific end. His complex and tortured existence has come to a close, and the legacy he leaves behind is no closer to resolution than the manner in which this character departed this world. May he truly find peace in an afterlife that he could not find on Earth." Slim Shady, did indeed, make a lasting impression. Listen to the story unfold on The Death of Slim Shady below...

The faux obituary in the Detroit Free Press (5/13/24)

Eminem "The Marshall Mathers LP" (May 23, 2000)

Eminem’s 1999 triple-platinum major-label debut, The Slim Shady LP, was a shot in hip-hop’s arm, the grand entrance of a hurricane dressed as a Detroit kid with major-league skills and a potential mental disorder. This time out, he’s more funny and much more scary. On The Marshall Mathers LP he hits you with the lyrical complexity and detailed narratives of Biggie, the hilarious, is-he-kidding-or-not button-pushing of Howard Stern, the disaffected angry-white-boy-ness of Fight Club and the fearless, kill-me-if-you-can energy of Tupac. He has a macabre imagination to rival Satan’s and an incredible ability to create new rhyme patterns. He has a frightening proclivity to spit venom one moment and humor the next, and a never-ending slew of jaw-dropping punch lines.... Expect, during this summer of Shady, to hear Marshall Mathers following you around the hip-hop nation, flowing from boomboxes, trucks and lips the same way Dre’s The Chronic, Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... and B.I.G.’s Life After Death once did. You may find Eminem popping out of your own mouth, because he’s the most quotable MC alive, both consistently funny and ridiculously far over the top. He rarely uses the same rhyme pattern twice, and he changes his vocal style again and again on Marshall Mathers, often in the space of one verse — he uses six different voices in one stretch of “Criminal.” Dr. Dre and partner-of-late Mel-Man produced much of the album, while Eminem and his Detroit crew, F.B.T., handled most of the rest. The sound shifts between slick, bright, melodic funk that’s so R&B-ish, you can dance to it (“Who Knew,” “The Real Slimy Shady”) and slow, driving, outrageous-bass hardcore raw hip-hop made for cruising (“Amityville,” “I’m Back”). Seven years after The Chronic and fourteen after the dawn of N.W.A, Dre is that legendary coach taking a third different team to a national title, still making your head hurt from all the nodding, still crazy dope after all these years.... The Marshall Mathers LP is a car-crash record: loud, wild, dangerous, out of control, grotesque, unsettling. It’s also impossible to pull your ears away from. - Rolling Stone, 2000.

Is The Marshall Mathers LP his best album to date?

The 2000 MTV Video Music Awards (September 7, 2000)

The 2000 MTV Video Music Awards were held on Thursday, September 7, 2000. The awards were hosted by the Wayans Brothers (Shawn and Marlon) and it was held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. For the second year in a row, DMX was a no-show for his scheduled performance, but Eminem held it down, as well as Nelly, Aaliyah and others. Speaking of Em and Aaliyah, they both had big nights collecting multiple wins. Some of the presenters included Dr. Dre, Method Man, Redman, Chris Rock, Jim Carrey, D'Angelo, Lil' Kim, Wyclef Jean and more. For the sake of irony, it's also worth noting that the founder of Napster, Shawn Fanning, made an on-stage appearance sporting a Metallica t-shirt. For those who weren't outside at the time, Metallica v. Napster, Inc. was the first highly publicized instance of an artist suing a P2P software company, and it encouraged several other high-profile artists to sue Napster too. The outcome of that lawsuit was that Napster was forced to search its system and remove all copyrighted songs by Metallica. That was also the final VMAs appearance for Aaliyah; she was killed in a plane crash the following August. R.I.P. Y'all might remember Em's performance that started outside of Radio Music Hall as Em was followed inside by a pack of Em-lookalikes; he performed "The Real Slim Shady" and "The Way I Am." Watch below...

Percee P Trades Verses With Fat Joe & Eminem (Video)

Happy Born Day to the legendary veteran emcee; the Rhyme Inspector, Percee P. It's been many years since you'd catch Percee P outside of Fat Beats slingin' his CDs, but his hustle is the story of legends. People came from far and wide to cop his CDs and meet the man for a photograph and/or an autograph. I'm not sure of the exact year, but I'm sure most of you have already seen the footage... below is Percee P trading verses with Fat Joe and a young spitter named Eminem. The video was re-shared by Stones Throw Records to help hype Percee P's Perserverance album, but the original footage is from GeRard X and GETTO VIDEO. Another classic video is the infamous battle in 1989 between Percee P and Lord Finesse in the Patterson Projects (Bronx, NY). You can watch that battle HERE. I had the pleasure of interviewing Percee P several years back, hopefully I'll share parts of that interview on here one day, too. In the meantime, enjoy the video below. HBD!

Eminem "The Eminem Show" (Vibe Magazine, 2002)

Eminem is a controversy magnet. In the past, his raps have included violent fantasies of killing his wife (they've since split up) and not-very-flattering portraits of his mother (who responded with a multimillion-dollar libel suit). Marshall Mather's real-life antics have earned him further legal problems, including gun and assault charges. None of these are topics he shies away from on his third-album, The Eminem Show, as he continues to obsess about his personal life and the public's reaction to him. There is something thrilling about the way he digs into his wounds; it's the aural equivalent of an episode of Cops. In other words, The Eminem Show is a brilliant piece of theater and a guilty pleasure. Eminem knows his every phrase will be scrutinized, yet he doesn't seem to care... His guerrilla approach to reality means he never holds onto any one position long enough to have to defend it. That's easier said than done; Eminem's ability to hop-scotch back and forth over the line between earnestness and sarcasm borders on genius... Lyrically, the album is exceptional on the whole, but there are momentary lapses... Like a man looking into a mirror while the world stares at him, Eminem uses his new album to strip himself naked and dissect his private life. Rhyming with electrifying rapidity, and thinking even faster, he has an unerring instinct for heading straight for our taboos. For some rappers, the boundary between life and art is very thin. For Eminem, it's the perfect place to pitch his tent and perform. - Vibe Magazine, 2002. The Eminem Show (5/26/02)

Eminem "Live At Tramp's, NYC" (January 9, 1999)

On Jan. 9, 1999, Eminem performed at the now-defunct Tramps in New York City. You'll notice DJ Eclipse and DJ Riz were the DJs; Bobbito was the host and MF Doom and Sir Menelik were also on the bill for $15. Eminem's set list included tracks like "My Name Is," "Brain Damage," "Nuttin' To Do," "Scary Movies" (with Royce Da 5'9"), "Low Down Dirty," "'97 Bonnie & Clyde," "Just Don't Give A Fuck", a freestyle over Shabaam Sahdeeq's "5 Star Generals" and a joint by Missy, too. Em definitely paid his dues on the road, performing for fans who weren't yet familiar with his music and won most of them over with his technical rhymes, flow and delivery. The Slim Shady LP came out a month later, and the rest is history! The flyer above is from Ev Boogie & Stretch Armstrong's No Sleep book. The video below is being updated to this post to provide some visuals, if it gets taken down, let me know and I'll add back the original content I had originally included with this post. Peace and love...

DJ Whoo Kid & Stretch Armstrong "Unbreakable" (Mixtape, 2001)

After the success of DJ Whoo Kid & Stretch Armstrong's Murda Mixtape series, they returned to collaborate on Unbreakable, a mixtape released in 2001. The mix stands out in my mind because it highlighted the then-beef between House of Pain's Everlast and Eminem, who exchanged a few shots back and forth on record. It's interesting when you consider that the mix tape was Hosted by Eminem, lol. I guess it's clear where they fell on the beef. The rest of the mix includes freestyles from Em, D12, Prodigy and Franchise, as well as tracks from Xzibit, Beanie Sigel, Snoop Dogg, Sticky Fingaz, Memphis Bleek, Black Rob, Nature, Capone-N-Noreaga, Shyne, Dr. Dre & more. Listen below...

Eminem "Next" Feature In Vibe Magazine (February, 1999)

"Ask Eminem about the color of his skin and you might hear: "Unless you want to fuck me, why do you care what I look like?" ... You'd think it would be difficult to offend someone whose debut single is called "Just Don't Give A Fuck," but Eminem's sore spot is throbbing: "I get offended when people say, "So, being a white rapper... and growing up white... after being born white...," it's all I ever hear!" This is the anger of a kid who grew up as Marshall Mathers in a single-parent, inner-city Detroit home. The kind of kid who rolled up his pajama bottoms to make them look like shorts. This kind of upbringing has been channeled into Eminem's Clockwork Orange-like alter ego, "Slim Shady." It's also the title of his debut album, to be released this spring. The journey toward Slim Shady began over a year ago, when Em, now 24, sent his demo to Interscope Records. The tape somehow ended up on the floor of CEO Jimmy Iovine's garage, where it was rescued by West Coast landmark Dr. Dre. Dre signed Em, a modern-day hip hop Sid Vicious, to his Aftermath imprint and then decided to include him on his upcoming, tentatively titled album, Chronic 2000." Next article in Vibe continues below...

"People thought Dre fell off," Em says, "but that's the wrongest assumption I know. We were working last night - and I admit it, I was high - but I was walking around yelling, I'm a fan again!" Those kind of loving feelings are few and far between for Eminem. The mention of "Bonnie and Clyde" elicits a reaction in the gonzoid tradition of Motor City shitkickers like Ted Nugent: "Yo, I hate bitches! [One] fucked up and it made me look at girls as sluts," Em snarls, flexing his arm, which has the name of his daughter, Hailey Jade, tattooed on it. "A lotta girls ain't gonna like my shit, but once again, I just don't give a fuck." Em: abominable or misunderstood? You be the judge." - Vibe, '99.

David Begun "Marshall & The Soul Brother" (Album Stream)

Peep this mashup of legendary hip-hop producer Pete Rock with the illustrious lyricist Eminem. David Begun has layered Eminem’s lyrics over the beats from the Petestrumentals album and mixing in various Pete Rock original samples and scratches to form a picture of what Eminem would have sounded like over one of the most acclaimed producers of hip-hop music in the 90’s. Listen below...

Eminem 'The Marshall Mathers LP' (May 23, 2000)

Eminem's third studio album, 'The Marshall Mathers LP' dropped on this day in 2000. Arguably Em's best album, he dug deep(er) on content to reflect the controversy surrounding the graphic lyrics on the Slim Shady LP, his meteoric rise to fame, as well as his early childhood and family. He complemented all of it with storytelling lyrics that may go down as some of the best ever. The album sold nearly 2 million copies in its first week! The LP was produced by Dr. Dre, Bass Brothers, The 45 King and co-production from Em himself. "It's tracks like 'Stan' and the sum of the Marshall Mathers LP that should forever erase the notion that Eminem is the Elvis Presley of hardcore hip hop. If anything, he's rap's Eric Clapton: a white boy who can hang with the best black talent based on sheer skill - enhancing the art form instead of stealing from it." (Vibe Magazine) I do still think Em is one of the most talented lyricists in Hip-Hop (period), but the industry has shifted and the replay value based on his ability to RAP has faded - his content and concepts need to take center stage and I'm interested to see how he matures in Hip-Hop. I hope the "Rap God" challenges himself more if he returns with another LP, which I get the feeling is coming soon. Are you still listening?

50 Cent "Guess Who's Back?" (Mixtape, 4/26/02)

On this day in 2002, 50 Cent released 'Guess Who's Back?,' a compilation of hits from past street albums and mixtapes. It was this mixtape/compilation that would gain the attention of Eminem (through 50's attorney), and ultimately lead to 50 Cent signing to Interscope. 'Guess Who's Back?' was released independently on Full Clip Records and was the first 'official' release since his 2000 (unreleased) album, 'Power of the Dollar.' It features production from Trackmasters, Clark Kent, Sha Money Xl, and more. For a release of its kind to chart on Billboard was an impressive feat and rumor has it that a lot of the tracks were recorded in Canada because studios in the states wouldn't work with him. For years, 50 also stayed in the Poconos area of Pennsylvania, and when my mom and sis moved to East Stroudsburg, it wasn't uncommon to see the G-Unit crew. From this release and signing with Interscope, 50 Cent would go on to become a mega-artist selling 10s of millions of albums with his debut & sophomore albums. Of course, his success has also extended beyond music to movies, liquor, vitamin water, headphones, and more. A true hustler from Queens!

Stream the mixtape above, original artwork is below...

Eminem 'The Slim Shady LP' (Fat Beats Plaque)

It's been years since I listened to Eminem's 'The Slim Shady LP,' so I won't pretend I was ever his biggest fan, but even 18 years later (today), it's obvious he is a top-tier lyricist. Not quite as digestible these days, but very few artists would want to stand toe to toe and see what'd happen next. Am I wrong? The photo - excuse the quality - I took at Fat Beats' old warehouse a decade or so ago. They were early on his original EP and were sent a plaque to commemorate the multi-platinum sales of the LP. Last year, Aftermath reissued a cassette version of the album on a purple tape; you can order it HERE - I'm sure it'll be a collectible (read: valuable) one day real soon.

Mick Boogie Presents "The Pre-Up" (Mixtape, 2006)

The Pre-Up mixtape was done by Mick Boogie and hosted by Eminem and The Alchemist. It was a promotional mixtape released ahead of The Re-Up album on Shady Records in 2006. Fact is, Eminem didn't do many mixtapes, so this was no small feat for Mick Boogie to release this mixtape. In it, you'll hear Eminem alongside artists like 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Ca$his, Dr. Dre, Stat Quo, Bobby Creekwater, Proof, Prodigy, Kuniva, Bizarre, Obie Trice, and more. I have no real reason to share this mix at this point, except that I believe that streaming platforms will get so popular that artist and DJ mixtapes will get lost in the sauce, so it's nice to have this memory bookmarked 10 years later. 

Dr. Dre "Tale of 2000" (Vibe Magazine, January 2001)

"When Dr. Dre formed Aftermath Entertainment and released his first flop (The Firm), it appeared he had lost his connection to the streets. After a brief hiatus, the Good Doctor cut his losses and reestablished himself as the controversial gangsta producer/rapper that hip hop fans love to love. That love only grew in 2000: Dre produced The Marshall Mathers LP, the tightly anticipated follow-up to Eminem's The Slim Shady LP, which landed EM a Grammy for Best Rap Album. Eminem's mike skills are undeniable but without the oomph of Dre's obscure samples and relentless sound structures, would anyone know his name? Dre returned to his roots of weed, sex, guns, and, of course, Snoop Dogg on Dr. Dre 2001. Lauded for its high-octane production, 2001 proved Dre hadn't lost his Midas touch. And while he enjoyed great success as a producer, Dre made 2000 his most prosperous year in half a decade by organizing and headlining Up In Smoke. One of the most successful traveling shows in rap history, Up In Smoke featured the superstar power of Dre, Eminem, Ice Cube, Xzibit, and Snoop; wowed audiences with its spectacular visuals... Nineteen ninety-three may have been the inception of Dre Day, but 2000 was unquestionably the Year of the Dre."

Vibe added these stats, "Tale of 2000: Sales - Dr. Dre 2001 (5.6 millon). Credits: produced Eminem's multiplatinum CD The Marshall Mathers LP. Props: MTV Video Music Award for "Forgot About Dre" (Best Rap Video). Game: The Up In Smoke tour stopped in over 25 cities nationwide, selling 521,000 tickets for a profit of more than $24 million." - Vibe Magazine, January 2001.

The Halftime Show "Eminem & Royce Da 5'9" (September 23, 1998)

"Here goes another Halftime show from '98 with guests Eminem and Royce Da 5'9" (85:53). Short interview right into the freestyle session (if only cats today were as hungry as the 90s generation). As usual, Riz sets off the show lovely and then half way through I get on to finish up. Always good listening to the mic breaks to see what was going on during that time (i.e. Tramps shows, Fat Beats in-stores, new mixer...thanks Fat Beats!). So much good music played!" - via DJ Eclipse's Mixcloud.

Dr. Dre "Up In Smoke" Tour (Press Release, May 2000)

May 4, 2000: "Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Eminem and Warren G have announced plans to join forces for a mammoth summer tour set to kick off June 15 in San Diego, CA. The "Up In Smoke" Tour - a historical summit of the reigning leaders of hip-hop - is being produced by Dream Team, LLC led by Magic Johnson, as well as Metropolitan Entertainment, Radio Events Group and Bill Silva. Along with the five multi-platinum and critically acclaimed artists, surprise guests are expected to make appearances along the tour route. These dates mark Dr. Dre's first-ever national live tour and will encompass approximately 40 shows in major markets, including Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. The "Up In Smoke" Tour - initial dates to go on sale this weekend - will feature an elaborate high-tech stage show. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Eminem and Warren G - most of whom have known each other for more than 10 years - envision this tour to be a "family affair" that celebrates the diversity and mass appeal of their audience, bringing together fans of all cultures, races, ages and status." - Press Release, 5/00. Watch some of the show below.

If you'd like a copy of the press release, check it out below...

Eminem "Unsigned Hype" (The Source 3/98 + Update 2/02)

"Wow, it's been a few months since we've profiled a creme-de-la-creme MC in need of some nurturing from a record company. During our ninety day hiatus, however, our ever-reliable "Flavortracker 2000" came across a target that, in many ways, redefines the term ill. He goes by the name of Eminem. After making a buzz in the Detroit area for quite some time, he just recently gained the hip-hop nation's attention with his impressive showing in events like the Rap Olympics. One glimpse of the contents within his Slim Shady demo, one can't help but recognize that this rapper of the Caucasian persuasion's got skills. As far as flow, he keeps it simple, yet extremely effective. In "Murder, Murder," he kicks a humorous tale about a bank heist gone wrong... Another guaranteed reminder is the semi-demented "Just The Two Of Us," a crazed tale about the actions Eminem takes upon his baby's mother. With wifey placed uncomfortably in the back of his trunk, Em drives far and wide explaining to his seed the reasons why "daddy had to bury mommy." Point blank, this ain't your average cat. This Motor City kid is a one-of-a-kind talent and he's about to blow past the competition, leaving many melted microphones in the dust." - Unsigned Hype (March, 1998).

"Updated in February, 2002: "Not long after Eminem was featured in Unsigned Hype, Dr. Dre got a hold of his tape. "When Dre heard my tape, it helped that I wasn't just a nobody because I was in Unsigned Hype." The Detroit native was soon signed to Aftermath/Interscope and sent into the lab to record his major-label debut album, The Slim Shady LP. The video "My Name Is" was shot and delivered directly to MTV before any promotional CDs, tapes or vinyl were even pressed. Millions of people would soon realize the same thing that we'd predicted first: Eminem is a superstar." 2/02