Marshall Bruce Mathers III, known professionally as Eminem, was born on October 17, 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Deborah R. (Nelson) and Marshall Bruce Mathers, Jr. His parents were part of a band together, Daddy Warbucks, and Eminem is of English, German, and Scottish ancestry.
Eminem spent his early childhood moving back and forth between Kansas City and Detroit, eventually settling on the Eastside of Detroit when he was 12. He attended Lincoln High School in Warren, Michigan, from 1986 to 1989, where he struggled to make friends and stay out of trouble due to his frequent school changes.
Eminem's passion for rap began at the age of 11, and he started rapping seriously at 14. He adopted the stage name M&M, later changing it to Eminem. Despite being rejected by many fellow rappers due to his race, Eminem persevered and continued to develop his skills.
After failing the 9th grade three times, Eminem dropped out of school but has since spoken out against dropping out, saying it wasn't for him. He continued to pursue his passion for rap, forcing himself onto radio shows and engaging in freestyle battles.
Eminem's debut album, "Infinite," was released in 1996 and sold less than a thousand copies. However, it laid the groundwork for his future success. He went on to release the "Slim Shady EP" in 1997, which caught the attention of the underground hip-hop scene.
In 1998, Eminem participated in the Rap Olympics in Los Angeles, where he came in second place and was spotted by several producers from Interscope Records. Dr. Dre discovered him and they collaborated on several tracks, leading to Eminem's breakthrough album, "The Slim Shady LP."
Eminem's subsequent albums, including "The Marshall Mathers LP" and "The Eminem Show," were massive commercial successes, earning him three Grammy Awards and cementing his status as one of the most successful rappers of all time. He has also acted in several films, including "8 Mile," which earned him an Academy Award nomination.
Throughout his career, Eminem has been open about his struggles with addiction, depression, and personal relationships. Despite his controversies and personal struggles, he remains one of the most influential and successful rappers of all time.
Eminem's daughter, Hailie Jade Scott, was born on December 25, 1995, to his long-time girlfriend Kim Scott. He has been married twice and has three children.
Eminem has been praised for his lyrical skill, storytelling ability, and his unapologetic and often provocative lyrics. He has been criticized for his use of homophobic slurs and his controversial lyrics, which have sparked heated debates and criticism.
Despite the challenges he has faced, Eminem remains a dominant force in the music industry, with a legacy that continues to inspire and influence new generations of rappers and musicians.
