Is Eminem a tosser?

Since his phenomenal success spilled over into the movie world - even bagging him an Oscar - everyone knows who the platinum blonde enfant terrible of rap is. But what's all the fuss about him really about? We asked 3 Bolshy readers the simple question...is Eminem a tosser?
No: by Dan N
Eminem is by far the most successful rapper in the world at this moment. His nearest challenger, 50 Cent, is one of Eminem’s protégés. However, Eminem’s route to the top has not been uncontroversial. Quite apart from the ongoing feud with Irv Gotti’s “Murder Inc.” group of artists, the handgun charge and the turbulent relationship with his mother, Eminem has been regularly slammed for his allegedly homophobic and misogynistic lyrics.

There can be no doubt that Eminem’s second album, The Marshall Mathers LP, is probably one of the most offensive albums ever recorded. It contains much sexist and homophobic language and several appallingly graphic descriptions of violence against women. However, it is also probably one of the best albums ever recorded. Why this contradiction?

Anyone who enjoys horror movies would probably be able to tell you something of how acts which would be appalling in real life can sometimes make for great entertainment, sometimes even great art, when simulated on film. I’ve never plucked up the courage to watch The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but those in the know say that it is the best horror movie ever made. It is also gory and shocking. I have actually seen Nightmare on Elm Street (as well as some of it’s many, lesser sequels) and can see their point. The graphic violence in that movie is darkly alluring and adds to the themes of guilt and dread that it portrays. One of the purposes of art is to explore the darker side of human nature,. Horror movies and books obviously do this, with Eminem I guess we now have a sort of sub genre of music that does too.

As the man himself has said on several occasions, Eminem’s music is not meant to be taken literally. I can certainly understand why many people find Eminem’s music offensive, even I find it difficult to listen to some of the tracks. But we shouldn’t let this blind us to the fact that Eminem is a great MC. Otherwise we will end up letting our politics distort our view of art.

MAYBE: by Tim R

That Eminem is one of the most successful and important figures on the music scene today is beyond question. The more interesting question is: why? It would be far too easy (and ignorant) to attribute Eminem's success to the fact that he is a white guy that makes big dollars from stealing a black sound. Many unfair criticisms have been levelled at Eminem based on the perception that he is "the new Elvis" in this regard.

There is also the undeniable fact that much of his success can be attributed to his "bad" image- that is to say his willingness to state in his lyrics (and publicly) that much of his personal trauma can be blamed on women and that he appears to be constantly offensive towards gay people. He does seem to be using homophobic attitudes for his own personal gain.

But Eminem's appeal is that he appears to be a reliable source of opinion on such matters due to the fact that he was raised in a tough background. Marshall Mathers (his real name) speaks and raps about the realities of life for a kid who has grown up in a poor family with little parental stability or guidance and has had to deal with extreme prejudice against him as he bravely pursued his ambition to be a respected and successful white hip hop artist.

That Eminem's struggle to win acceptance from Black audiences was a success should be celebrated. And so should the originality and wit of most of his lyrics. The Marshall Mathers LP is a superb record musically and deserves recognition for it's political content. However the question remains as to why it is that Eminem seems so more eminently marketable and newsworthy than any of his Black contemporaries. Indeed, if we measure success in terms of revenue produced through album, film and concerts sales than he would probably amongst the most successful musicians of all time and most certainly the most successful hip hop artist of all time.

As it is, we should accept Eminem for what he is: a talented person with many weaknesses who has had to fight hard to gain recognition. Nevertheless he owes a great deal to the nature of the musical celebrity culture under capitalism. That is a system that grants popularity through notoriety and is relentlessly shaped by the popular media

YES: By Ruben

I can’t stand constantly hearing about Eminem. I really wish people would shut up about him. I went to see his film. It wasn’t bad. But so what? Roman Polanski’s ‘The Pianist’ was even better but it didn’t get half as much attention.

People talk about Eminem like he’s some kind of icon; something to aspire to. “Look – he came from a poor background and now he’s stinking filthy fucking rich. That must mean he’s brilliant!” Bollox. He got lucky. There are still plenty of people in working class communities in Detroit – and across the world – who are far more deserving than Eminem of fame and fortune and probably don’t have to be intentionally homophobic and misogynistic to get there.

People say ‘you shouldn’t take Eminem’s lyrics literally.’ This is irrelevant; the fact is that he’s not talented enough to get to the top without being bigoted. He’s using bigotry and the controversy is creates to get himself rich – it doesn’t matter whether he actually believes it or not. His shameless exploitation of it is bad enough. Would he be so popular if he ‘pretended’ to be racist to get publicity? I hope not.

People talk about him like he’s the only white rapper who’s ever existed, when in fact there have been plenty of great white rappers down the years. Just look at House of Pain, 3rd Bass or YBT. And it’s not as though Eminem’s songs are even that good. He’s rapping about the same shite over and over again; drugs, his mother, drugs, and how the world hates him. He’s a fucking millionaire. He’s got no right whatsoever to whine about the world being out to get him. Hip-hop is supposed to be about bringing a message – not just the pseudo rebellious rambling that Marshall spews out time and time again. Has anyone heard his recent song ‘Business’? What the fuck is it supposed to be about? Let’s take a line; “…set to blow college dorm doors off their hinges/oranges/peach/pears/plums.” What the fuck does that mean??

All in all, I think Eminem is a petulant, self-indulgent tosser. Yeah, he came from a tough background. He had a hard life. But now that he’s fought his way out of it, all he can do is bitch about how much everybody hates him, with a ‘liberal’ dose of homophobia and sexism thrown in. What a guy.