It looks like simply yesterday Eminem was scandalizing suburban America along with his particular model of biting lyricism and perverse humor, however even hip-hop grows up in the future. It’s been a few years since Eminem launched his record-breaking album, The Eminem Present on Might 26, 2002, and it’s now turn out to be a part of the hip-hop canon.
After dropping back-to-back releases of The Slim Shady LP and The Marshall Mathers LP in 1999 and 2000, respectively, Eminem was on high of his recreation and had proved that he wasn’t only a novelty act, however an artist with actual storytelling abilities.
Take heed to The Eminem Present now.
The hype bar had been raised to say the least, and simply 25 days previous to The Eminem Present‘s supposed launch date of June 4, the album had been leaked. To reduce the collateral harm, Interscope determined to launch the album early and The Eminem Present immediately offered 284,000 in its first 24 hours. It instantly shot to No 1 on the Billboard 200 and have become the best-selling album of 2002. It appeared everybody wished tickets to The Eminem Present.
Along with his earlier albums, Eminem had launched the world to his amplified alter ego Slim Shady, but in addition managed to sneak in private particulars, all whereas sustaining an unassailable defend of masculine bravado.
On The Eminem Present, it’s all about Marshall Mathers, whether or not he’s exorcising his household demons on “Cleaning Out My Closet” talking on fame in “Without Me” or reflecting on being a father on “Hailie’s Song,” he’s one of many few rappers wholly able to conveying remorse, anger and even despair. “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” would turn out to be one of many sudden hits of Marshall’s profession, attaining the chart standing that equally introspective songs “The Way I Am” and “Stan” solely got here near.
Given the extra mature and private tone of the album, The Eminem Present additionally had Shady taking over a extra lively function in manufacturing. Even most followers assume that Dr. Dre was chargeable for the Eminem sound, however the truth is, Shady produced 90 % on the album, with Dre performing because the album’s govt producer and serving to with three of the report’s B-sides together with “Business,” “Say What You Say” and “My Dad’s Gone Crazy.”
Regardless of his self-serious picture and darkish lyrical themes, Eminem has all the time been the merry prankster of hip-hop and is ready to get away with issues most different rappers can’t. From his rapid-fire ad-libs on “Superman” to his superhero-themed music video for “Without Me,” he subverts hip-hop stereotypes and performs off his “white rapper” picture.
He’s additionally refreshingly self-aware, as he takes pictures at his personal privilege on tracks like “White America” when he raps “Look at these eyes, baby blue, baby just like yourself. If they were brown, Shady’d lose, Shady sits on the shelf. But Shady’s cute, Shady knew Shady’s dimples would help.”
Eminem additionally mixes issues up stylistically on the album, fusing guitar-driven melodies with rap rhythms on tracks like “Sing For The Moment,” the place he closely samples Aerosmith‘s “Dream On” and the stomp-stomp-clap from Queen’s “We Will Rock You” on “Til I Collapse,” placing crossover enchantment to rock followers. The album would go on to win two Grammy awards and land on Rolling Stone journal’s listing of the five hundred best albums of all time.
The Eminem Present stands the check of time for example of Eminem’s unparalleled circulate and provocative lyricism. It might not shock the censors at present, however to a whole technology, they nonetheless spit out every phrase in defiance.
The Eminem Present could be purchased right here.
