Throughout human history, music has played a vital role in our culture and way of life. Each individual and community has their own unique rhythm. Various societies utilize music for religious ceremonies, celebrations, solace, sorrow, relaxation, sports, dancing, energizing, learning, sleeping, and even sexual experiences. Music serves a purpose for everyone, connecting with people and communicating in ways that go beyond words. It is an auditory representation of our emotions, expressing and evoking feelings that words alone cannot capture. Music tells a story and brings forth our innermost traits. Every era holds its distinctive sound, witnessing the rise of different music genres that gain immense popularity. Notably, the emergence of Rock n Roll in the 1950s astonished the world.
The emergence of a new sexual language and provocative dance moves caused people to believe that it marked the end of innocence. However, in the 1980s, Hip Hop Rap gained increasing popularity, with many dismissing the music as foolish and distasteful. It was regarded as a vulgar form of spoken word, synonymous with the ghetto. James McBride’s perspective on Hip Hop/Rap in his essay “Hip Hop Planet” exemplifies this stereotype. McBride struggled to appreciate the music but eventually, the public started to recognize its deeper meaning. Hip Hop/Rap is undoubtedly an artistic genre that displays genuine talent. It serves as a portrayal of people’s lives, narrating stories and expressing emotions. Some songs possess the ability to inspire and move listeners in ways that other genres cannot. Eminem stands as an artist who succeeds in conveying these sentiments through his music.
James McBride recounts his struggle with accepting and understanding Hip Hop Rap. Growing up in the Bronx, where this new genre emerged, he was introduced to it at a party in 1980. Initially, he found it absurd and unintelligent, perceiving only criminality in the music. Gangsters were swearing and speaking words, devoid of melody or harmony. McBride avoided Hip Hop Rap for years, yet it continued to haunt him. In doing so, he missed encountering famous rappers on the streets without realizing their significance. What he failed to comprehend was that this music was a true, revolutionary and artistic genre. It conveyed stories, emotions, and the hardships of people’s lives during that era. It showcased genuine artistic talent and served as inspiration. It took time for McBride to recognize this fact later in life.
James McBride’s exploration of Hip Hop Rap music completely changed his perspective on the genre. He came to realize that it had a much deeper meaning than he originally thought, and that it was a genuinely artistic form of expression. Inspired by this newfound understanding, he embarked on a journey to the Bronx River apartments in New York City, where Hip Hop Rap originated. He discovered that the music had strong cultural and historical roots, as it emerged during a tumultuous period in the city’s history characterized by widespread crime and gang violence. The streets of New York City were dangerous, and many people faced significant financial struggles. The young people who lived in these neighborhoods felt trapped with no way out, but they turned their hardships into art by creating graffiti and their own unique music.
During a time of hardship in the city, troubled kids in New York City began creating music using only their voices, rather than traditional instruments. This form of vocal music, known as Hip Hop Rap, became a medium for expressing their feelings and the struggles they faced. The lyrics and rhymes in these songs were a reflection of their emotions, encompassing anger, despair, emptiness, poverty, sorrow, and loneliness. This history of Hip Hop Rap music demonstrated to McBride that it serves as a storytelling tool, shedding light on the experiences of young people living in the ghettos. It also highlighted the artistic talent and ability required to create rap music that authentically captures the genuine emotions of individuals in certain situations.
James McBride had a desire to learn more about Hip Hop Rap music, so he decided to explore the roots of this genre. He traveled to Senegal in West Africa, a region greatly impacted by the Arab slave trade. It was here that he began to uncover the origins of the sounds found in Hip Hop Rap. The inhabitants of Senegal had developed a sound known as the call and response method, which was later brought to America by slaves. Over time, this call and response method became integrated into American Hip Hop Rap music. By discovering this information, James gained not only a better understanding but also a newfound respect for this genre. He now perceives Hip Hop Rap as an art form with profound meaning.
Eminem, also known as Marshall Mathers or his alter ego Slim Shady, epitomizes authentic Hip Hop Rap music that showcases genuine artistic expression and true talent. His music reflects personal experiences that enable him to convey his emotions. Eminem’s songs primarily delve into struggles with drug abuse, the death of a close friend, challenging relationships with his mother and ex-wife, and his role as a father to his daughters. Every song is written by Eminem himself and often centers on past or present situations in his life. These raps effectively portray the hardships he has faced, making them relatable to many.
Raised in Detroit, Michigan amidst poverty by a single mother, Eminem experienced multiple relocations and difficulty forming friendships during his childhood. At the age of 9, he already knew he wanted to be a rapper and eventually dropped out of high school to pursue this passion. Despite skepticism towards his abilities as a white rapper, Eminem received support from his friend Proof, who played a pivotal role in helping him gain recognition and respect within the industry. Growing up in a challenging environment, Eminem would write down most of his music on pieces of paper.
Eminem, renowned for his unique and emotional writing style, would jot down his thoughts and emotions in a random order. He purposely made his words disjointed on paper, using these fragments to create rhymes and raps. Although he initially released an unsuccessful album, Eminem persisted until catching the attention of Dr. Dre and finally gaining recognition in the industry.
Throughout his career, Eminem openly discussed his tumultuous relationship with his mother in interviews. Leaving home at a young age, he doesn’t hold back in expressing his feelings about her shortcomings as a parent through his songs. This honesty resulted in his mother suing him for slander.
Eminem’s accomplishments in the music industry are remarkable. With approximately twenty albums released and over 100 million albums sold solely in the United States, he was named the best-selling artist of the decade. He has received numerous awards including thirteen Grammys out of thirty-nine nominations and an Academy Award.
His honest and poetic lyrics set him apart from others in the industry.Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine even compared him to renowned lyricists such as Bruce Springsteen, Bono, and Bob Dylan. Eminem’s songs combine poetry, symbolism, emotion, and exaggerated statements to effectively tell stories and resonate with listeners.
Through his music,Eminem connects with people on a deep level by expressinghis authentic emotionsin a relatable wayEminem’s impactful songs act as a medium for reaching out and forging connections with others. By evoking intense emotions, Eminem enables listeners to engage with him on an emotional plane. His goal is to convey his anger and frustration in order to create an emotional connection with those who appreciate his music. Although Eminem’s lyrics frequently spark controversy due to their explicit language and exploration of sensitive subjects such as politics, drugs, sex, and homosexuality, he faced discrimination for a period of time. Nevertheless, as people began to recognize that Eminem’s intention was not to offend but rather genuinely express himself through his music, protests against him diminished.
Rap music’s language reflects the current generation, making it widely embraced. Eminem often references his ex-wife Kim and their children in his songs. One of their children, Hailey, is biologically his daughter, while he also adopted another child and took in his niece from Kim’s previous relationships. Eminem’s relationship with Kim was tumultuous and even included thoughts of violence towards her in one song. They had multiple marriages and divorces before finally ending things in 2006.
In 2010, Eminem released a deeply personal album called “Recovery,” which details his journey to conquer depression and substance abuse issues. The tracks on this album depict his struggles, inner demons, and life hardships, taking listeners on a transformative journey from darkness to the inspiring figure he is today—a sober artist admired by many. In one song titled “Going Through Changes,” Eminem explores a period when he battled drug addiction.
Through emotional delivery, Eminem establishes an intimate connection with his audience—almost making them feel like friends. Although he apologizes for any perceived complaints within the lyrics, he expresses vulnerability and appears to be reaching out for support.In contrast to his customary aggressive and angry demeanor, Eminem occasionally chooses to adopt a more conversational style when speaking to listeners. This particular song stands apart from the rest as it showcases vulnerability and sets a somber atmosphere.
In his autobiography The Way I Am, Eminem openly acknowledges his fluctuating moods, stating that “My mood can change quickly.” When he displays aggression and anger, he appears aloof and distant, intentionally pushing people away. However, this specific song allows us to connect with him on a deeper level as he seems to expose himself. Through his personal approach in expressing his struggles, the song gains power and showcases his authentic artistic ability while bringing the lyrics to life.
Within the same autobiography, Eminem also discusses how he started using drugs after rapping about them. In his twenties, he began experimenting with marijuana and alcohol. From 2002 to 2008, a significant portion of his time was consumed by substance abuse, including prescription medication. Tragically, the loss of his best friend Proof plunged him into deep depression and led him to turn to drugs as a coping mechanism for the pain and sadness that accompanied this profound loss.Ultimately, drugs became a means for Eminem to cope with the tumultuous dynamics of his relationship with Kim and ultimately resulted in an overdose in 2007. In an interview discussing Proof’s death, Eminem openly acknowledged the significant role substance abuse played, stating, “It had a lot to do with it – I remember days spent just taking f****** pills and crying.” The song “Going Through Changes” captures his history of drug abuse, receiving guidance from his friend’s spirit to steer clear of drugs, and battling depression. Throughout the song, Eminem effectively establishes a strong bond with his listeners as he vividly depicts his journey through depression. These lyrics portray life’s complexities and personal struggles with both depression and drug addiction. The speaker contemplates leaving this world, causing their loved ones to take notice of their sorrow. They continually battle against their own reflection, detesting their appearance and feeling indifferent towards their physical well-being. The only thing they truly fear is Hailie’s well-being. Despite attempting to conceal their pain, everyone around them can clearly see the state they are in.
Using a stream of consciousness style, Eminem reflects on his self-hatred and inability to confront his own reflection and acknowledge the person he has become. He is consumed by shame and loathing for succumbing to drug addiction. However, his perspective shifts towards caring solely about how his daughter, Hailie, perceives him, revealing the depths of his self-hatred and desire to end his life. Despite putting on a facade of strength and normalcy, Eminem acknowledges his internal anguish: “But I can’t, why do I act like I’m all high and mighty when inside I’m dying? I am finally realizing I need help.”
He candidly describes ingesting Vicodin, Percocet, and methadone throughout the day and night as a means to numb the emotional pain stemming from Proof’s untimely death. These lyrics signify Eminem’s suicidal tendencies and depict his inability to sleep due to obsessive thoughts of Proof. Consequently, he contemplates overdosing on drugs in an attempt to end his life.
Eminem’s vivid storytelling transports listeners into the depths of his despair. Through rap lyrics that evoke reliving the moment itself, he expresses determination not to slow down for anyone as he nears a state of unconsciousness: “Almost in a state of unconsciousness my friend come on don’t look now daddy don’t you die on me daddy you should stay resilient. Damn I know that voice all too well yeah baby support me.”
Surviving a drug overdose and being hospitalized, surrounded by tubes, was a critical moment for me. Despite the nearness of death, it was my daughter Hailie’s voice that saved me from drugs.
There might be some resistance to accepting controversial lyrics as music, but giving Hip Hop Rap music a second chance, like McBride did, compels recognition of Eminem’s talent. Reflecting on McBride’s journey towards appreciating this genre helps us understand that it goes beyond stereotypes and is deeply rooted in culture and history.
Eminem represents an artist with true artistic ability in Hip Hop Rap, showing that this music has more depth than what initially meets the eye. It symbolizes McBride’s era and reminds us that each generation has its own distinct sound in music. While it may shock at first, it ultimately captures and engages most listeners.
