Eminem << EHM ihn EHM >> (1972-…) is the professional name of Marshall Mathers III, a popular and controversial performer in American rap music. He developed the name from his initials, M and M. Eminem is one of the few white artists to succeed in rap, a musical form originated by and dominated by African Americans. He has won a number of Grammy Awards for his music.
Critics have praised Eminem for his rhyming skills, offbeat humor, and social satire. However, many people have criticized the rapper’s lyrics for their profanity, expressions of violence, and attacks on women and the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) community. In 2002, Eminem starred in the motion picture 8 Mile, a fictionalized account of his life. He won the Academy Award for best song for “Lose Yourself” from the movie.
Marshall Bruce Mathers III was born on Oct. 17, 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He lived in poverty as a child, raised by his mother. They moved to Detroit, Michigan, when he was 12. After failing the ninth grade three times, he dropped out of school.
Eminem released his first album, Infinite, in 1996. His first EP, The Slim Shady EP, was released in 1998. EP stands for extended play and is a type of musical recording that includes several songs but is not considered a full-length album. The EP attracted the attention of the American record producer Dr. Dre. Dr. Dre signed him to a recording contract.
Eminem’s next album, The Slim Shady LP (1999), brought him worldwide fame. It featured the hit single “My Name Is.” His other albums are The Marshall Mathers LP (2000); The Eminem Show (2002); Encore (2004); the singles compilation Curtain Call: The Hits (2005); Relapse (2009); Recovery (2010); The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013), featuring the hit single “Monster,” with the Barbadian singer Rihanna; Revival (2017); Kamikaze (2018); and Music to Be Murdered By (2020). All of these albums reached number one on Billboard magazine’s “Billboard 200” music chart. In late December 2020, Eminem released Music to Be Murdered By—Side B, a companion album to Music to Be Murdered By, with new songs featuring Dr. Dre, Ty Dolla Sign, Skylar Grey, and DJ Premier.
Eminem has also composed and performed music for other motion-picture soundtracks. He wrote a memoir, The Way I Am (2008). Eminem was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
