The Evolution Of Eminem

The Evolution Of Eminem
October 13, 2017
Composer: Eminem
Country of Origin: America

Eminem, best known as an American rapper, is also a record producer, and actor. He was born as Marshall Bruce Mathers III in St. Joseph Missouri. Marshall spent much of his life being an outcast everywhere he went. His rough upbringing shaped him into who he is today. Constantly on the move, he finally ended up in Detroit, Michigan, where he started competing in rap battles. It was his uncle Ronnie who first introduced him to hip hop and he fell in love. At the time, rap music was almost entirely produced by people of color, so he stood out like a sore thumb with his white skin, and blonde hair with blue eyes. Despite his constant rejection and failures, he kept trying and following his rap dreams. In 1996 Eminem released his first independent album, Infinite. It was not much of a hit. A year later, he released another album, The Slim Shady EP, which fell into the hands of Dr. Dre. When Dre heard this album, he wanted to sign Eminem immediately. Eminem now has countless achievements and awards in the music industry and has become a rap icon and legend.

Not only has Eminem evolved as a person over time, but so has his music. From the things he has chosen to rap about, to his beats and his voice, Eminem and his music have greatly evolved over time. The timbre of Eminem’s voice has changed so much over the years. Starting his rap career, his voice was a higher pitch. His rhymes were more creative and wild when he was on drugs at the start of his music career. You can tell now he is more mature and has toned down the crazy within himself, he has grown up. His voice has progressively evolved to be deeper and lower over time. He does have a very distinct timbre I can always recognize his voice, no matter if its old Eminem or new. Being a product of Dre, he started using a lot of beats by Dre. Over the years Eminem has evolved and progressed to having his own rap identity, coming with his own sounds and beats. Eminem is very emotional with his music, you can tell what struggles he has been going through in each album you listen to, they are all very different. His music has changed when he has. He has always been able to put out music that is different but appeals to many people. If you don’t notice these very obvious changes, you will definitely notice when his music stops sounding like it was recorded in a basement and in an actual professional studio. Eminem has also evolved the hip hop industry. Being the first huge white rapper, changing the hip hop scene and sound, being an idol and paving the dream for other white rappers.

In my opinion, I greatly prefer Eminem of the early 2000s. I also really love the higher timbre of his voice in his very first albums before he was popular. I am not into mainstream music so I prefer his earlier more “underground” music. No matter the changes he goes through, I will always have love for Eminem.

Here is an example of very early Eminem, to mid Eminem, to most current Eminem, there are very obvious changes in his voice and beats.

 

 

Eminem biography.com. The Biography.com website. A&E Television Networks. June 5, 2017. https://www.biography.com/people/eminem-9542093 

Simon & Schuster, 2001.l Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/eminem/biography