Emminem, what do ya think of him?

[I.R Joey]

Ah Marshell Mathers, he's sparked so much debate. From his fans who love him and tell others he says it like it is, to his critics who say he encourages all that is wrong in society (to Mad mag saying "Won't the real slim Shady just please shut up.?)


I've seen his music video's and I must admit that he's a very talented guy. Those who say what he does is just an act may be right, but still is it ewver okay to play the angle of bigot, mysigonist, and perputrater of violence as a persona?

[killercroc]

I kinda put him in the same category that I do Madonna. Don't really like the person, but I'm not gonna deprive myself of listening to his music.

I like Dr. Dre, but MM raps circles around him on "Forgot about Dre."

[Bud 'n Lou]

When he started his career, he wrote positive music. When that didn't work, he decided to do more controversial stuff. Obviously, this was a good idea, because he immediately gained recognition, and started raking in the cash. He's obviously all about shocking people for attention. When accepting his Grammy, he said sarcastically that he'd like to thank the media for all their negative coverage, because without them, he wouldn't have become so popular. Well, that may be true, but it seems like that's EXACTLY what he was depending on happening to boost his career. Don't be coy, Em. I'm on to ya.
While I don't like what he says on his records, I don't believe in censorship, so he should be free to say whatever he pleases. However, as someone in the public eye, and even just as a human being, I think he should be more responsible about what he puts out there. The very least he could do is admit fault for offending people. Instead, when confronted with his own words and actions in interviews, he tries sheepishly to justify what he's done. And his excuses often change. It reminds me of watching a squirming toddler you've caught doing something bad.
What I find particularly interesting is that in his lyrics, he picks on, mainly, the easy, "safer" targets; those people he knows have little defense. He acknowledges that using the "n" word is bad, but has no problem bad-mouthing other groups. He knows the public uproar would be tremendous if he DID, because more people would demand action against him than if he just stuck to blasting the more vulnerable communities of people. I like to think of it as "safe shock".
Another thing. Now don't get me wrong. I'm no fan of Christina Aguilera, but I think his talking trash about her is ridiculous. In one of his songs, he implies (Well, more than implies, actually. Outright SAYS. There. That's better) that she was involved sexually with both Fred Durst and Carson Daly (two very loathsome people, in my opinion). He said this, apparently, to get back at her for mentioning that she heard that the woman he rapped about killing on his record is now married to him. Is that all, Em? It IS true isn't it? What's SO wrong about that? Oh, wait. I know...could it be that you actually feel ashamed for what you said about the mother of your child, and now wife, on your record, and resent Christina for pointing it out? Grow up! Get over it! There's a lot to poke holes in when the topic is you...get used to it! For someone who likes to talk so much BS, he sure doesn't take criticism well.

[Nightwing]

For anyone who can't read what Bud put, due to lack of time, allow me, because I agree completely. Marshal Mathers is an idiot. I think Bud's toddler analogy hits it best.

He doesn't care about free speach. I'm not even sure if he knows which ammendment it is. lol. All he wants is controversy to sell his music. I do admit though, he has talent, and he's made some very good videos. I just think how he handles the controversy, personality wize, is churlish.

And I just wish the people he hurts could realize this. In a way, he's not really hurting you in the fact that he passionately wants to because of his feelings. Just don't listen to him and he won't hurt you.

[Clayface]

Originally posted by killercroc
I kinda put him in the same category that I do Madonna. Don't really like the person, but I'm not gonna deprive myself of listening to his music.


Yep, that about sums up what I think too.

As far as the whole Christina Aguilera thing - eh, big friggin' deal. Listen to any rap record out there and that's what half the stuff is about. Its bouncing insults back and forth - its all about ego, and making yourself look like the bigger bad-*****. She said something about him, he took a shot back at her, and then she whined about it to everyone. Childish? Yeah. Offensive? Hardly.

[Calhoun07]

The only thing I have by Eminem is his DVD of music videos, and I bought that because I wanted to see the videos uncut (in other words, NOT the MTV versions) and because I really do like the songs on the DVD. Well, 98% of them.

I don't really follow up on things on his personal life, so I really don't know what to say about that. I don't give a rat's tail what he is going thru this week. But I do think that the reaction to his music is quite uncalled for. There are people out there rapping with more hatred and worse things than Eminem could ever come up with. I almost think he gets the shaft because he is a white rapper.

I don't know if Eminem is a genius. I don't think he got as far as he has because he is a dumb kid, though. Now, what he does with the recognition he now has may determine if he is an idiot or not. Time will tell if he is something worth remembering, but all I know is blaming him for bad things is just wrong. He is like any other rapper...he is singing about what he sees and knows, and there is nothing wrong with that. And if you don't like his message, then don't listen. It is as simple as that.

I really loathe the mindsets of people who have to blame others for their actions. Eminem and comic books and hard rock music and Beavis and Butthead and Jackass, and you name it...people need to stop blaming them and take responsibility for theirselves!

[killercroc]

Originally posted by Clayface




As far as the whole Christina Aguilera thing - eh, big friggin' deal. Listen to any rap record out there and that's what half the stuff is about. Its bouncing insults back and forth - its all about ego, and making yourself look like the bigger bad-*****. She said something about him, he took a shot back at her, and then she whined about it to everyone. Childish? Yeah. Offensive? Hardly.


Yeah, that's rap music for you. There is one exception to this rule, the ever classy Will Smith. When he heard that MM said "F Will Smith" in a rap, he just blew it off. Unfortunately, I feel just the opposite about him as I do MM. Think he's a great person, just don't like his music.



I really loathe the mindsets of people who have to blame others for their actions. Eminem and comic books and hard rock music and Beavis and Butthead and Jackass, and you name it...people need to stop blaming them and take responsibility for theirselves!

Yeah, me too, buddy. And with all of MM's reprehensible lyrics, he did have a point in that "I am whatever you say I am" song. "Some kid gets bullied and he shoots up the school and you blame it on herion or Marilyn, where were the parents at?" Then he goes on to point out that it's been happening to inner city minorities for years, but it took Columbine for the media to jump on it. Like those rich white kid's lives were more important than the poor black kid's lives. School violence has actually decreased in the last 10 years, but you wouldn't believe it to listen to the media.

[The Mad Hatter]

Eh. Eminem's a jerk, but he's not Satan incarinate out to corrupt the universe. There are plenty of other rappers who are just as crude as he is.

As for his music, it fits into my feelings on Japanese pop and German metal. I like both of them for their music... but whenever I discover what the translated lyrics are actually saying, it ruins the enjoyment for me.

Samething with Eminem. He lays down great tracks, and he's got an awesome sense of rhythm. Just hearing his syllables, without comprehending what he's saying, can be a lot of fun. But then, you realize what he's saying... and it ruins the fun for me. I just can't identify what he's rapping about, and it's way too contrived for my tastes. It's like the guy is trying too hard to shock you, a lot like Marilyn Manson. Oh well.

[James Harvey]

Personally, the more he tries to be controversial and edgy or whatever, and the more he tries to offend, the less inoffensive I find him. Plus this FIGHT SONG movie he's doing sounds laughable.

[RockItShipper]

I think Em's in major denial. Or at least covering up the one thing that can hurt a rap career.

[Phishman]

While he is a talented person, he just isn't my cup of tea. I agree with DG. He's being edgy for the sake of being edgy.

[Bud 'n Lou]

Here's my thing: I agree that it's the parents' job to teach their children right from wrong, NOT the media. However, the sad truth is, many parents DON'T involve themselves enough in what their children are doing. So do I think Eminem's music insights violence? No, I don't. But I DO think it affects SOME kids whose parents aren't doing their job. To SOME extent. He's not causing violence, but he IS promoting intolerance, in my opinion.
How many here are minorities? Not many, I bet. So for some of you to say the outrage about his music is uncalled for, you can't know what's it's like to be on the receiving end. I realize EVERYONE gets picked on. But I think it's unfair to liken getting picked on for being overweight, or something to being picked on for being gay. Being overweight can be changed. There's a LOT of hate in this world, and it's scary when a lot of people hate you for something you can't help, and a lot of others are just indifferent to your plight.
And I agree, he's not the only offender, or even the worst of them, but he IS the topic of this thread.
And I'm not suggesting he's evil either. He's just a moron with a microphone.


He's being edgy for the sake of being edgy.
No, he's being edgy for the sake of the money and attention. But this makes him MORE offensive in my opinion. He's bad-mouthing people frivolously just for entertainment purposes, and to further his career. That's pretty low, I think.

[James Harvey]

You know, BnL, I don't think anyone could have put it better than you in that post. He's just one of those people who's somehow found out how to make money by making fun and insulting people different than him. It's one of those unfortunate side effects of life. There are millions of people for equality, and on the flip side, there's people who like to ruin the live of those who are different.

[Clayface]

Ok, I may get ina bit of trouble for this set of responses, but, as many of you know, I'm not one for "PC"ness, and a rarely pull my punches, so I'm justgonna say what's on my mind.



Originally posted by Bud 'n Lou
How many here are minorities? Not many, I bet.



Depends on what you consider a "minority". That term is used so loosely now-a-days that its lost much of its meaning. There was a recent census report that showed in a lot of the major citys of the US, whites are now the minority. Its all relative.





So for some of you to say the outrage about his music is uncalled for, you can't know what's it's like to be on the receiving end. I realize EVERYONE gets picked on. But I think it's unfair to liken getting picked on for being overweight, or something to being picked on for being gay.




Now this is what ticked me off, and where I may get into a bit of trouble. But, frankly, I found that statement to be incredibly conceited. How dare you say that one person's pain is any worse than anyone elses? Plenty of people are hurt just as bad (physically, mentally, and emotionally) by being picked on for being overweight or different in other ways than just being gay. In fact, I knew a really nice guy in high school that killed himself because he was picked on because he was fat. And his overweight condition was genetic. So for you to sit there and trivialize other people plights was, in my opinion, incredibly stuck up - who's being inconsiderate now? The hazing and abuse that people go through for other differences is just as bad what I've seen my gay friends go through.




Being overweight can be changed. There's a LOT of hate in this world, and it's scary when a lot of people hate you for something you can't help, and a lot of others are just indifferent to your plight.



I'm indifferent because I believe that words are words. If I see someone actually performing violence against anyone else, I step in and stop it. But words only do the damage you let them do.

[nightwing_38116]

Look at it this way. It's like wrestling. Fun to look at whether you love it or hate it. You just can't take it too seriously. Eminem is like most musical acts nowadays, manufactured. If not completely, he was added and retooled to be more marketable. He gets people talking, which sells records.

[Bud 'n Lou]

"I found that statement to be incredibly conceited. How dare you say that one person's pain is any worse than anyone elses? Plenty of people are hurt just as bad (physically, mentally, and emotionally) by being picked on for being overweight or different in other ways than just being gay. In fact, I knew a really nice guy in high school that killed himself because he was picked on because he was fat. And his overweight condition was genetic. So for you to sit there and trivialize other people plights was, in my opinion, incredibly stuck up - who's being inconsiderate now? The hazing and abuse that people go through for other differences is just as bad what I've seen my gay friends go through."

First of all, how dare you say "how dare you" to me? I hate when people do that. Ack! But anyway....
I meant no disrespect to anyone. What I was saying was that the difference between being picked on for being gay, and for being fat, is that it is more socially reprehensible to be gay than to be fat in this society (afterall, I have yet to hear of a family disowning a child for being chubby. Or what about a law saying overweight people can't get married? Or another that won't let you join the military for being obese?), meaning that people who are made fun of for being gay are going to get less support from others, and will have less recourse than someone being made fun of for being overweight because of the prejudice of those around them. No question that both people will suffer equally from being made fun of, but the fact that there are so few people for a gay person to reach out to will obviously add insult to injury.[/QUOTE]

[Clayface]

Originally posted by Bud 'n Lou

I meant no disrespect to anyone....


Ok, fair enough. That's just not the message I got from your original post. But now that you've explained it, I apologize for coming across so harsh.

[optimal321]

Here's what i think, short and sweet as i could make it:

Positive or negative publicity doesn't matter to Em, because it's just plain publicity that helps him sell his records. Case in point, this thread. Some people are saying they like him, while others aren't. But, hey, we're getting his name out there. And it just may make someone go "yeah, i never realized that. Maybe i should go listen to the CD and see it."

But as far as my opinion goes, i like him sometimes. Songs like "The Real Slim Shady" are kinda funny, in a kinda morbid way. Let's just say i like how he makes fun of society. But in songs like "Kim" it's just plain scary. So, yeah, he can be good, but can also be bad.

Think that was short and sweet enough:)

[Inque]

I must admit that i like 3 of his songs. The Way I am, Stan, and Forgot About Dre.

[killercroc]

Originally posted by Inque
I must admit that i like 3 of his songs. The Way I am, Stan, and Forgot About Dre.

Those are the three I like plus The Real Slim Shady. It's kinda funny!

But Forgot About Dre is an awesome song, I think.

[Calhoun07]

Who here has heard the parody of "Stan" done by Jimmy Kimmel (from Win Ben Stein's Money and the Man Show) called "Stanley." It is one of the best parodies EVER. I think Jimmy Kimmel recorded it as Jimenem, or some name like that.

[Inque]

i think "santa" is better. its a little kid writing to santa.

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by Inque
i think "santa" is better. its a little kid writing to santa.

That is what Stanley is. It is on a Christmas CD I got from a radio station in California. VERY alternative music on it!

[Calhoun07]

The name of that CD is The Real Slim Santa. The title track, obviously, is a parody of the Real Slim Shady. It is a very great CD all the way thru.

[Nightflower]

Was the parody "Would the Real Slim Shady Please Shut Up?" actually sung by Christina Aguilera? (Has anyone heard of it?)

[James Harvey]

No, it was an impersonator.

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by Nightflower
Was the parody "Would the Real Slim Shady Please Shut Up?" actually sung by Christina Aguilera? (Has anyone heard of it?)

Only a snipped on Rick Dees Top 40 countdown. He was supposed to put up the mp3 of it or the real audio of it on his site, but it never worked for me. Does anybody have this on mp3?

[BWDK]

I like Britney :p therefore I don't like eminem
I think Britney rocks :D