Eminem is a popular rapper who first became famous due to his involvement with producer Dr Dre who signed him after seeing him perform in 1997 at a rap battle. Eminem is one of the most critically acclaimed rappers around and is the stage name of Marshall Bruce Mathers who is one of the few successful white rappers around. Marshall who born in South Joseph, Missorui in 1972 and had a troubled childhood due to him regularly moving between Saint Joseph and Detroit, Michigan. He had begun his interest in rapping from an early age, performing in his group Soul Intent at the age of 14. In 1995 he released an independent album, named Infinite and his second in 1997 called The Slim Shady EP through which he became famous in the hip-hop underground because of its distinctive style. Although Dr Dre had heard one of Eminem's demos before, it was not until he won second place vs. Otherwize at the 1997 Rap Olympics MC battle which actually led to Dre signing up Marshall to his record label Interscope. Through this label he released his first album The Slim Shady LP which was hugely popular, going triple platinum and turning Eminem into a global super-star overnight. His fame was boosted by the controversy over his lyrics and the fury that surrounded these in certain countries including after the Columbine Shooting in the US. Eminem released his next album The Marshall Mathers LP in May 2000 and with it his place as the rapper of the century was secured as it became the fastest selling solo album in US history. He has since released another four immensely popular albums and is now regarded as one of the greatest musical artists of all time and the greatest white rapper.
