Marshall Bruce Mathers III. wuchs in der Autostadt Detroit in der Vorstadtgemeinde Warren in einem Umfeld auf, in dem überwiegend Afro-Amerikaner lebten. Sein Vater, Marshall Bruce Mathers II., heiratete 1972 Deborah "Debbie" Briggs. Er verließ die Familie, als Eminem erst drei Monate alt war. Seine Mutter, die bei der Geburt erst 17 Jahre alt war, war nach Aussage Eminems drogenabhängig und schlug ihn oft. Sein Onkel Ronnie, der nur wenige Monate älter war, begeisterte ihn für den Rap. Vor allem die Beastie Boys und N.W.A. wurden zu seinen musikalischen Idolen. Im Alter von 15 Jahren lernte er Kimberly Ann Scott (genannt Kim) kennen.

Ab 1988 schrieb er selbst seine ersten Raptexte und begann in Clubs von Detroit aufzutreten. Langanhaltende Freundschaften konnte Marshall in seiner Jugend kaum schließen, da er häufig umzog und die Schule wechseln musste. 1991 erschoss sich sein Onkel Ronnie während eines Einbruchs mit einer abgesägten Schrotflinte. Dieser tragische Vorfall prägte Eminem sehr, da sein Onkel ein Vorbild, Vaterersatz und Freund zugleich für ihn war.

Seit 1995 nennt er sich Eminem, nach seinen Initialen M und M (im Englischen "em 'n em" ausgesprochen). Die frühere Bezeichnung M&M gab er auf, um Probleme mit Mars Inc., dem Hersteller der M&M's zu vermeiden. 1996 nahm er erste Demos seiner Songs auf, doch die Resonanz darauf war noch gering. Sein erstes Album heißt Infinite, es wurde auch veröffentlicht, doch es floppte. 1997 erfand er - der Legende nach auf der Toilette - sein zweites Ich Slim Shady und nahm die Slim Shady EP auf, worauf kurz danach Dr. Dre aufmerksam wurde. Dr. Dre machte mit Eminem aus der Slim Shady EP die The Slim Shady LP. Die erste Single My Name Is stieg sofort auf Platz 2 der amerikanischen Billboard Charts ein. Das Album landete sofort auf Platz 1. Die Slim Shady LP erhielt drei Platin-Auszeichnungen. Im Jahr 2002 war seine CD einer der am besten verkauften Tonträger. Bei den Grammy-Verleihungen 2003 erhielt er drei Awards.

Seine meist aggressiven Texte kommen bei den jugendlichen Zuhörern gut an. Eminems Themen sind unter anderem Schwule und Frauen, insbesondere seine Ehefrau Kim, über die er immer wieder voller Aggressivität rapt. Kritiker bemängeln an Eminems Texten insbesondere, dass diese oftmals überzeichnete, surreale Gewaltphantasien beinhalten.

Eminem verbalisiert durch seine Äußerungen Konflikte innerhalb der amerikanischen Gesellschaft. Dadurch wird er häufig als "Schwulenhasser" oder "Gewaltprediger" angesehen. Seine Intention lässt sich aber auch so verstehen, dass er Hass und Aggressivität aufzeigt, da solche Vorbehalte in der Gesellschaft existieren. Ein Beispiel für diese paradoxe Gesellschaftsanalyse mag folgendes Zitat sein: Nehmt keine Drogen, habt keinen ungeschützten Geschlechtsverkehr, seid nicht gewalttätig – überlasst das mir! Er selber betonte, dass er eigentlich nichts gegen Schwule habe. Ein gemeinsamer Auftritt mit Elton John wurde von Eminems Kritikern nur als Alibi-Veranstaltung verstanden.

Hauptsächlich drehen sich die Themen seiner Texte aber um die Verarbeitung seiner Kindheit und Jugend (z. B. "Cleanin' out my Closet") sowie um seine missglückte erste Ehe mit Kim (z. B. die nach ihr benannte Hasstirade "Kim").

 

Songtexte:

Lose Yourself

Look, if you had one shot, one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted-One moment
Eminem Would you capture it or just let it slip?

His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy
Lose There's vomit on his sweater already, mom's spaghetti
He's nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready
Yourself To drop bombs, but he keeps on forgettin
What he wrote down, the whole crowd goes so loud
Songtexte He opens his mouth, but the words won't come out
Songtext He's chokin, how everybody's jokin now
The clock's run out, time's up over, bloah!
Lyrics Snap back to reality, Oh there goes gravity
Oh, there goes Rabbit, he choked
Lyric He's so mad, but he won't give up that
Liedertexte Is he? No
He won't have it , he knows his whole back city's ropes
Liedertext It don't matter, he's dope
He knows that, but he's broke
Alle He's so stacked that he knows
When he goes back to his mobile home, that's when it's
Eminem Back to the lab again yo
This whole rap city
He better go capture this moment and hope it don't pass him
Lose
[Hook:]
You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
Yourself You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
Songtexte This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo

The soul's escaping, through this hole that it's gaping
Songtext This world is mine for the taking
Make me king, as we move toward a, new world order
Lyrics A normal life is borin, but superstardom's close to post mortar
Lyric It only grows harder, only grows hotter
He blows us all over these hoes is all on him
Liedertexte Coast to coast shows, he's know as the globetrotter
Lonely roads, God only knows
Liedertext He's grown farther from home, he's no father
He goes home and barely knows his own daughter
Alle But hold your nose cuz here goes the cold water
His bosses don't want him no mo, he's cold product
Eminem They moved on to the next schmoe who flows
He nose dove and sold nada
Lose So the soap opera is told and unfolds
I suppose it's old potna, but the beat goes on
Yourself Da da dum da dum da da

[Hook]

No more games, I'ma change what you call rage
Songtexte Tear this mothafuckin roof off like 2 dogs caged
I was playin in the beginnin, the mood all changed
Songtext I been chewed up and spit out and booed off stage
Lyrics But I kept rhymin and stepwritin the next cypher
Best believe somebody's payin the pied piper
Lyric All the pain inside amplified by the fact
That I can't get by with my 9 to 5
Liedertexte And I can't provide the right type of life for my family
Liedertext Cuz man, these goddam food stamps don't buy diapers
And it's no movie, there's no Mekhi Phifer, this is my life
Alle And these times are so hard and it's getting even harder
Eminem Tryin to feed and water my seed, plus
See dishonor caught up bein a father and a prima donna
Lose Baby mama drama's screamin on and
Too much for me to wanna
Yourself Stay in one spot, another jam or not
Has gotten me to the point, I'm like a snail
Songtexte I've got to formulate a plot fore I end up in jail or shot
Songtext Success is my only mothafuckin option, failure's not
Mom, I love you, but this trail has got to go
Lyrics I cannot grow old in Salem's lot
So here I go is my shot.
Lyric Feet fail me not cuz maybe the only opportunity that I got
Liedertexte
[Hook]

You can do anything you set your mind to, man Liedertext

8 Mile

[Eminem]
Sometimes I just feel like, quittin I still might
Why do I put up this fight, why do I still write
Eminem Sometimes it's hard enough just dealin with real life
Sometimes I wanna jump on stage and just kill mics
Mile And show these people what my level of skill's like
Songtexte But I'm still white, sometimes I just hate life
Somethin ain't right, hit the brake lights
Songtext Case of the stage fright, drawin a blank like
Da-duh-duh-da-da, it ain't my fault
Lyrics Great then I falls, my insides crawl
and I clam up {*wham*} I just slam shut
Lyric I just can't do it, my whole manhood's
just been stripped, I have just been vicked
Liedertexte So I must then get, off the bus then slip
Man fuck this shit yo, I'm goin the fuck home
Liedertext World on my shoulders as I run back to this 8 Mile Road
Alle
[Chorus]
I'm a man, I'ma make a new plan
Eminem Time for me to just stand up, and travel new land
Mile Time to really just take matters into my own hands
Once I'm over these tracks man I'ma never look back
Songtexte (8 Mile Road) And I'm gone, I know right where I'm goin
Songtext Sorry momma I'm grown, I must travel alone
And go follow the footsteps I'm makin my own
Lyrics Only way that I know how to escape from this 8 Mile Road
Lyric
[Eminem]
I'm walkin these train tracks, tryin to regain back
Liedertexte the spirit I had 'fore I go back to the same crap
Liedertext To the same plant, and the same pants
Tryin to chase rap, gotta move ASAP
Alle And get a new plan, momma's got a new man
Eminem Poor little baby sister, she don't understand
Sits in front of the TV, buries her nose in the pad
Mile And just colors until the crayon gets dull in her hand
Songtexte While she colors her big brother and mother and dad
Ain't no tellin what really goes on in her little head
Songtext Wish I could be the daddy that neither one of us had
Lyrics But I keep runnin from somethin I never wanted so bad!
Lyric Sometimes I get upset, cause I ain't blew up yet
Liedertexte It's like I grew up, but I ain't grow me two nuts yet
Liedertext Don't gotta rep my step, don't got enough pep
Alle The pressure's too much man, I'm just tryin to do what's best
Eminem And I try, sit alone and I cry
Yo I won't tell no lie, not a moment goes by
Mile That I don't pray to the sky, please I'm beggin you God
Songtexte Please don't let me be bitchin holdin no regular job
Songtext Yo I hope you can hear me homey wherever you are
Lyrics Yo I'm tellin you dawg I'm bailin this trailer tomorrow
Lyric Tell my mother I love her, kiss baby sister goodbye
Say whenever you need me baby, I'm never too far
Liedertexte But yo I gotta get out there, the only way I know
Liedertext And I'ma be back for you, the second that I blow
Alle On everything I own, I'll make it on my own
Eminem Off to work I go, back to this 8 Mile Road
Mile
[Chorus]

[Eminem]
You gotta live it to feel it, you didn't you wouldn't get it
Songtexte Or see what the big deal is, why it wasn't the skillest
Songtext To be walkin this borderline of Detroit city limits
It's different, it's a certain significance, a certificate
Lyrics of authenticity, you'd never even see
But it's everything to me, it's my credibility
Lyric You never seen heard smelled or met a real MC
who's incredible upon the same pedestal as me
Liedertexte But yet I'm still unsigned, havin a rough time
Sit on the porch with all my friends and kick dumb rhymes
Liedertext Go to work and serve MC's in the lunchline
But when it comes crunch time, where do my punchlines go
Alle Who must I show, to bust my flow
Where must I go, who must I know
Eminem Or am I just another crab in the bucket
Cause I ain't havin no luck with this little Rabbit so fuck it
Mile Maybe I need a new outlet, I'm startin to doubt shit
Songtexte I'm feelin a little skeptical who I hang out with
Songtext I look like a bum, yo my clothes ain't about shit
Lyrics if the Salvation Army tryin to salvage an outfit
And it's cold, tryin to travel this road
Lyric Plus I feel like I'm on stuck in this battlin mode
Liedertexte My defenses are so up, but one thing I don't want
Liedertext is pity from no one, the city is no fun
There is no sun, and it's so dark
Alle Sometimes I feel like I'm just bein pulled apart
I'm torn in my limbs, by each one of my friends
Eminem It's enough to make me just wanna jump out of my skin
Mile Sometimes I feel like a robot, sometimes I just know not
Songtexte what I'm doin I just blow, my head is a stove top
Songtext I just explode, the kettle gets so hot
Sometimes my mouth just overloads the ass that I don't got
Lyrics But I've learned, it's time for me to U-turn
Lyric Yo it only takes one time for me to get burned
Liedertexte Ain't no fallin no next time I meet a new girl
Liedertext I can no longer play stupid or be immature
I got every ingredient, all I need is the courage
Alle Like I already got the beat, all I need is the words
Eminem Got the urge, suddenly it's a surge
Suddenly a new burst of energy is occured
Mile Time to show these free world leaders the three and a third
Songtexte I am no longer scared now, I'm free as a bird
Songtext Then I turn and cross over the median curb
Hit the verbs and all you see is a blur from 8 Mile Road
Lyrics
[Chorus]

Shake That

[Intro - Eminem ]

Shady, Aftermath
There she goes shaking that ass on the floor
Eminem Bumpin and grindin that pole
The way she's grindin that pole
Shake I think I'm losing control

[Verse 1 - Eminem]

Get buzzed, get drunk, get crunked, get fuucked up
That Hit the strip club don't forget once get your dick rubbed
Songtexte Get fucked, get sucked, get wasted, shit faceted
Pasted, blasted, puke drink up, get a new drink
Songtext Hit the bathroom sink, throw up
Wipe your shoe clean, got a routine
Lyrics Knowin still got a few chunks on your shoestring
Knowin I was dehydrated till the beat vibrated
Lyric I was revibed as soon as this B is gyrated
And hips and licked them lips and that was it
Liedertexte I had to get Nate Dogg and his sing some shit
Liedertext
[Verse 2 - Nate Dogg]

Two to the one from the one to the three
Alle I like good pussy and I like good trees
Smoke so much weed you wouldn't beleive
Eminem And I get more ass than a toilet seat
Three to the one from the one to the three
Shake I met a bad bitch last night in the D
Let me tell you how I made her leave with me
That Conversation and Hennessey
I've been to the muthafuckin mountain top
Songtexte Heard muthafuckers talk, seen and dropped
If I ain't got a weapon I'ma pick up a rock
Songtext And when I bust yo ass I'ma continue to rock
Lyrics Getcha ass of the wall with your two left feet
It's real easy just follow the beat
Lyric Don't let that fine girl pass you byye
Look real close cause strobe lights blind
Liedertexte
[Verse 3 - Nate Dogg]

We bout to have a party (turn the music up)
Liedertext Let's get it started (Go head shake your butt)
I'm lookin for a girl with a body and a sexy strut
Alle Wanna get it poppin baby step right up
Some girls they act retarded
Eminem Some girls are bout it bout it
I'm lookin for a girl that will do whatever the fuck
Shake I say everday she be givin it up

[Chorus - Nate Dogg]

That Shake that ass for me, shake that ass for me
Come on girl, shake that ass for me, shake that ass for me
Songtexte Ohh girl, shake that ass for me, shake that ass for me
Songtext Come on girl, shake that ass for me, shake that ass for me
Lyrics
[Verse 4 - Eminem]

I'm a menace, a dentist, an oral hygentist
Lyric Open your mouth for about four or five minutes
Take a little bit of this flouride ??
Liedertexte Swish but don't spit it, swallow and I'll finish
Liedertext Yeah me and Nate d-o double g
Looking for a couple bitches with some double d's
Alle Pop a little champagne and a couple E's
Slip it in her bubbuly, we finna finna have a party
Eminem
[Verse 5 - Nate Dogg]

Have a party (turn the music up)
Shake Let's get it started (Go head shake your butt)
I'm lookin for a girl I can fuck in my hummer truck
That Apple Bottom jeans and a big ol ??
Some girls they act retarded
Songtexte Some girls are bout it bout it
I want a bitch that sit at the crib with no panties on
Songtext Knows that she can't but she won't say no
Lyrics Now look at this lady all in front of me, sexy as can be
Lyric Tonight I want a slut, will you be mine?
I heard you was freaky from a friend of mine
Liedertexte
[Bridge - Eminem]

I'ma hope you don't get mad at me
Liedertext But I told Nate you was a freak
He said he wants a slut, hope you don't mind
Alle I told him that you like it from behind

[Chorus - Nate Dogg]

Eminem Shake that ass for me, shake that ass for me
Cmon girl, shake that ass for me, shake that ass for me
Shake Ohh girl, shake that ass for me, shake that ass for me
That Cmon girl, shake that ass for me, shake that ass for me
Songtexte We bout' to have a party (turn the music up)
Let's get it started (go ahead shake that butt)
Songtext I'm lookin for a girl with a body and a sexy strut
Lyrics Wanna get it poppin baby step right up
Some girls they act retarded
Lyric Some girls are bout it bout it
I'm lookin for a girl that will do whatever the fuck
Liedertexte I say everday she be givin it up

[Outro - Eminem]

There she goes, shaking that ass on the floor
Liedertext Bumpin and grindin that pole
The way she's grindin that pole
Alle I think I'm losing control

God, come one

[Eminem makes noises]
Eminem
I ain't leavin' without you bitch

Come here home with me
Shake
Ample boy, and his boy, and this boy, and this gurl
That
haha, they call

[deep breathing]

Just Lose It

[Intro]
Guess who's back, back again
Shady's back, tell a friend
Eminem
Now everyone report to the dance floor
To the dance floor, to the dance floor
Just Now everyone report to the dance floor
Alright stop, pajama time
Lose
[Verse 1]
Come here little kiddies on my lap
Guess who's back with a brand new rap
It And I don't mean rap as in a new case
Songtexte Of child investigates and accusates
Ah ah ah ah ah, no worries
Songtext Papa's got a brand new bag of toys
What else could I possibly do to make noise?
Lyrics I've done touched on everything but little boys
That's not a stab at Michael
Lyric That's just a metaphor, I'm just psycho
I go a little bit crazy sometimes
Liedertexte I get a little bit out of control with my rhymes
Liedertext Good god, dip, do a little slide
Bend down, touch your toes, and just glide
Alle To the center of the floor
Like TP for my bung hole
Eminem And it's cool if you let one go
Nobody's gonna know, who'd hear it?
Just Give a little "poot poot," it's ok
Oops my CD just skipped
Lose And everyone just heard you let one rip

[Hook]
Now I'm gonna make you dance
It It's your chance
Yeah boy, shake that ass
Whoops I mean girl, girl girl girl
Songtexte Girl you know you're my world
I now lose it (ah ah ah ah ah)
Songtext Just lose it (ah ah ah ah ah)
Go crazy (ah ah ah ah ah)
Lyrics Oh baby (ah ah) oh baby (ah ah)

[Verse 2]
It's Friday and it's my day
Lyric Ysed to party all the way to Sunday
Maybe 'til Monday
Liedertexte I don't know what day
Everyday's just a holiday
Liedertext Cruisin' on the freeway, feelin' kind of breezy
Let the top down and my hair blow
Alle I don't know where I'm goin'
All I know is when I ger there someone's gonna (touch my body)
Eminem Excuse me miss, I don't mean to sound like a jerk
Just But I'm feelin' just a little stressed out from work
Lose Would you punch me in the stomach and pull my hair
It Spit on me, maybe gouge my eyes out (yeah)
What's ya name girl, what's ya sign?
Songtexte (Man you must be up out yo mind)
Dre (ah ah) beer goggles, blind
Songtext I'm just tryin' to unwind (now I'm)

[Hook]
Now I'm gonna make you dance
Lyrics It's your chance
Yeah boy, shake that ass
Whoops I mean girl, girl girl girl
Lyric Girl you know you're my world
I now lose it (ah ah ah ah ah)
Liedertexte Just lose it (ah ah ah ah ah)
Go crazy (ah ah ah ah ah)
Liedertext Oh baby (ah ah) oh baby (ah ah)

[Verse 3]
It's Tuesday and I'm locked up
Alle I'm in jail and I don't know what happened
Eminem They say I was runnin' butt naked
Down the street screamin' (ah ah ah ah)
Just Well I'm sorry, I don't remember
All I know is this much, I'm not guilty
Lose They said "Save it, boy we got you on tape
It Screamin' at an old lady" (touch my body)
Now this is the part where the rap breaks down
Songtexte It's real intense, no one makes a sound
Everything looks like it's "8 Mile" now
Songtext The beat comes back and everybody lose themselves
Now snap back to reality, look it's B. Rabbit
Lyrics Oh you signed me up to battle? I'm a grown man
Lyric Tubba tubba tubba tubba tubba tubba tubba
I don't have any lines to go right here so tubba
Liedertexte Tellytubby fellas (what) fellas (what)
Grab your left, make your right one jealous (what)
Liedertext Black girls, white girls, skinny girls, fat girls
Tall girls, small girls, I'm callin' all girls
Alle Everyone report to the dance floor
It's your chance for a little romance or butt squeezin'
Eminem It's the season, just go (ah ah ah ah)
It's so appeasin'
Just
[Hook]
Now I'm gonna make you dance
It's your chance
Lose Yeah boy, shake that ass
Whoops I mean girl, girl girl girl
It Girl you know you're my world
I now lose it (ah ah ah ah ah)
Songtexte Just lose it (ah ah ah ah ah)
Go crazy (ah ah ah ah ah)
Songtext Oh baby (ah ah) oh baby (ah ah)

usw.