Although Eminem is one of the most top-selling artists in the history of music, many fans don't know about some of the most interesting facts about the Grammy-winning rapper. On Marshall’s birthday today, let's learn 5 new things about the rapper.
During the 75th Academy Awards, Eminem bagged the Oscar for Best Original Song for “Lose Yourself” from the movie 8 mile. Eminem skipped the event thinking that his chances of winning the Oscar were almost nil, considering the competition faced by songs from films like Chicago and Gangs of New York.
Considering the number of artists Eminem has parodied throughout his musical career, it is indeed astonishing to know that he had a problem with someone who parodied one of his own tracks. In 2023, Weird Al Yankovic made a parody of “Lose Yourself” named “Couch Potato”, which he decided to release as the lead single of his brand new album. Although Eminem had no issue with the parody itself, he voiced opposition about it being released as a single and vene blocked the production of a music video. He was concerned that it might kill the vibe and the lasting impact of “Lose Yourself”.
While education is considered important for reaching greater heights in life, it doesn't always guarantee success. For instance, Eminem who dropped out of school at the age of 17. When he engaged in rap battles during his school years, he found it really hard to attend classes on a regular basis. This affected his grades. He repeated the ninth standard three times before finally dropping out. Although Eminem was passionate about the language English, nurtured by his love for comic books, he didn't show much interest in literature and hated subjects like math and social studies.
The Beastie Boys
You must have heard of The Beastie Boys- one of the most influential and successful hip-hop groups of all time! Between the time period of 1984 to 2004, the group released seven albums that attained platinum status or higher. This left an indelible impact on the rap genre. Eminem, a well-known fan, paid homage to the group in his 2013 track "Berzerk," which samples their hit "Fight for Your Right." In the music video, he even mimics their signature style. Given the Beastie Boys' rebellious, carefree attitude, it’s no surprise that Eminem holds them in high regard.
Anyone familiar with Eminem’s music knows about his turbulent relationship with his mother, Debbie Nelson-Mathers. She gave birth to Marshall Mathers at the age of 17 and had a rocky history with him, especially during his teenage years, when she repeatedly kicked him out of the house. Eminem expressed his anger through his songs, especially on The Slim Shady LP. In response, his mother filed a lawsuit against him, seeking $10 million in damages. However, she ultimately received just $1,600 in the settlement.
