Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III on October 17, 1972, is a Detroit-based rapper who became one of hip-hop’s most successful artists. After struggling in the underground scene and releasing the unsuccessful album Infinite in 1996, he achieved breakthrough success with The Slim Shady LP in 1999. His provocative lyrics and controversial persona helped bring rap music into mainstream culture, earning him 15 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His complete story reveals additional remarkable achievements.
How did a young white rapper from Detroit overcome poverty, prejudice, and personal struggles to become one of the most successful and controversial artists in hip-hop history?
Marshall Bruce Mathers III, known professionally as Eminem, was born on October 17, 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri, and experienced a childhood marked by instability, frequent relocations between Missouri and Detroit, and allegations of abuse and bullying. Despite dropping out of high school after repeating ninth grade multiple times, Mathers began pursuing rap music seriously at age 14, having started rapping at age 11.
Mathers entered Detroit’s underground hip-hop scene as a teenager, performing in clubs and rap battles under the stage name “M&M,” later respelled as “Eminem.” He faced significant challenges gaining acceptance in the largely Black genre due to his race, while working various odd jobs to support himself. His debut independent album, Infinite, released in 1996, sold fewer than 1,000 copies, demonstrating the initial commercial struggles he encountered.
Facing racial barriers in hip-hop’s underground scene, the young rapper struggled commercially with his debut album selling under 1,000 copies.
Eminem’s major breakthrough occurred with The Slim Shady LP in 1999, which earned him national recognition and a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. The follow-up album, The Marshall Mathers LP, released in 2000, became the fastest-selling solo album in United States history and established him as a mainstream artist. He is widely credited with bringing rap music into mainstream culture during the 21st century, utilizing provocative lyrics and his controversial alter ego “Slim Shady.”
Throughout his career, Eminem has released 12 studio albums, including The Eminem Show, Encore, Relapse, and Recovery, along with greatest hits compilations such as Curtain Call in 2005 and Curtain Call 2 in 2022. His notable singles include “Lose Yourself,” “Without Me,” “Stan,” and “Love the Way You Lie,” while also contributing as a member of rap group D12 to their album Devil’s Night in 2001. His significant career turning point came after placing runner-up at the Rap Olympics MC Battle in 1997, which led to his signing with Dr. Dre’s label.
Eminem has accumulated 15 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Lose Yourself” from the semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile, in which he starred in 2002. He has achieved recognition as one of the world’s best-selling music artists of the 21st century, with multi-platinum album sales worldwide and numerous MTV, Billboard, and American Music Awards. In 2022, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of hip-hop’s most influential artists.
His personal life includes two marriages to Kimberly Anne Scott and three children, including daughter Hailie Jade Scott, born December 25, 1995.
Eminem frequently references his personal struggles, including addiction and recovery, in his lyrics while maintaining a private lifestyle despite his massive fame.
