Being that it is music, a performed art and as such should have a certain degree of melody,
Hip-hop has made use of producers, mixers, features, beats and visuals to increase its appeal. Yet, it is still primarily up to the rapper to deliver the lyrics in an appropriate manner. The calm in “Bonnie and Clyde” is harrowing, the speed in “Forget about dre” is breathtaking, the intensity in “No Love” is intimidating, the delivery in “Renegade” is scene stealing and the humour of “Real Slim Shady” can literally make you cry - with laughter! On this basis, we eliminate a significant proportion of “underground” rappers who are downright boring compared to Eminem’s delivery.
As a mirror of social issues and an outlet for the “voiceless”, Rap purists pride themselves on the subject matter of the artist. “Cleaning out my Closet” is a surreal account of his childhood while “If I had” is a gloomy take on being poor. Eminem can make hard-hitting political commentary like “Mosh” and advance freedom of speech while lashing out at the media in “White America”. Yet, the fan’s favourite is when he reveals the paradox of superstardom as both liberating and entrapping as brilliantly done in “My Darling.” The pure diversity of his subject matter has enabled him to make 8 studio albums plus and an impressive feature catalogue.
Ever wondered why every G.O.A.T discussion has names like Pac, Biggie, Eminem, Lil Wayne and Nas constantly brought up while newcomers like Lupe Fiasco are usually overlooked?! Because Hip-hop is a culture, not just music. Consequently, an artist’s impact is on the culture itself and even more so, American society at large goes a long way is validating or nullifying a claim to greatness. “Love the way you lie” made domestic violence a central focus point. “Lose Yourself” has been noted as the “song most likely to motivate a win in basketball.” “My Name Is” created a global superstar and (arguably) opened doors for the white rapper. “Toy Soldiers” ended a period of intense rivalry (beef) and may have indirectly saved lives. “Kim” has been noted as the fourth most controversial track – of all time! Epic.
With a multitude of variations, it is a matter of taste to what you consider vital to an Mc’s resume. One such variation is the ability to “freestyle” where all those who have ghost-writers will piss in their pants. Not so for Eminem. He has held his ground such as the “Bet cypher” the “Despicable” freestyle (although one can argue it is too good to be a freestyle) as well as the Tim Westwood freestyles in collaboration with Slaughterhouse.
Another facet of the genre is “Battle rap.” On this one, he has not engaged in a “beef” as high profile as that of Biggie and Pac and/or Jay Z vs Nas. However, he has done enough to show his skill, capability and confidence in the scorching track “Nail in the Coffin” directed at Benzino, humorous “Can-I-Bitch” aimed at Canibus as well as the “The Warning” with Mariah the unfortunate recipient.
Just in case anyone doubts my “personal opinion” it could be worth noting that many other people also like, appreciate, and respect Eminem for his genius. Just a few Notable achievements:-
- Silver Medal – Rap Olympics
Highest Selling Artist of the Decade (2000 – 2009)- Billboard magazine
An Oscar (for Lose Yourself)
11 Grammys.
Hottest Mc in the Game 2010.
Other notable mentions by “respectable” artists
- kanyeNo one will be bigger than Eminem
- Royce Da 5'9The illest lyricist in the country
- RakimEm is nasty man, I tell people to this day...if Em was black...he’d be the next Muhammad Ali
- DreIf he keeps doing what he does now, he will be bigger than Michael Jackson", "some of the hardest nikkas I know think this little white boy is great", "in my whole career i never found anything on demo tapes, till I heard him. I said-find him now
- Chris Rock.You know the world is messed up when the tallest man in the NBA is chinese, the best golfer is black, and the best rapper is white.
So, to MY fav rapper- a toast
