By Vic Everett
WESTWOOD, California
-- Call it reverse discrimination. At a time
when most affirmative action programs are
under fire from state legislators, it's ironic
that Eminem is experiencing discrimination
of his own, hip-hop-style.
"I've heard it from black
people: 'Why don't you be white? Why don't
you do rock 'n' roll?' And I've heard it from
white people: 'Oh, you're trying to be black,'"
Eminem explains, when asked about the race
card with which he is occasionally slapped.
"I've heard it all my life. I get offended
every time the white issue is brought up.
I get it from every angle you can possibly
get it from." |
Eminem believes racism fuels some
of his critics.
|
Due in no small
part to magazine articles with features like
"White Rappers Who Don't Suck,"
Eminem is now part of an elite group of talented
rap artists who share a common bond: they
aren't black. Yet, unlike most other Caucasian
rappers, Marshall Mathers (a.k.a. Eminem)
is relishing the sweet taste of success.
After his Slim
Shady debut (Aftermath) sold 480,000 copies
in its first two weeks, and reached the No.
2 spot on Billboard's Pop chart, the roar
for the CD was so great that Interscope Records
shipped more than 1 million copies, something
extremely rare for a first release. Nevertheless,
Eminem's debut single is what really set the
ears of music-loving fans afire. The diabolically
insidious "My
Name Is" was heard on the radio more
times than a presidential apology, and its
video soundly conquered MTV.
Eminem's next project, The
Marshall Mathers LP, touted as a collection
of lyrical nightmares, features 16 new tracks
and claims Dr. Dre as executive producer.
Dre also produced seven songs on the CD, including
the first single, "The
Real Slim Shady." Eminem decided
to collaborate with other notable rap artists
this time around, including Onyx's Sticky
Fingaz and former Death Row Records inmate
RBX. While the all-star lineup of West Coast
favorites for "Bitch
Please 2" will add fuel to the Mathers's
recording, Eminem will be the main reason
fans flock to music stores to buy the new
album.
Like it or not, Marshall Mathers
is one popular guy.
Last year, security guards
kept an energized crowded club from ripping
Em to bits while he earned $5,000 for rapping
four songs. Not bad for a former $5.50-an-hour
Detroit grill cook. Most MCs can only dream
of instant fame, yet Em is experiencing it
fully, thanks to songs boasting low-self esteem
and rhymes that verify a mundane life lacking
expectation.
CONTINUE
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