So last week, marked the 13th anniversary of Eminem’s classic (official) debut, The Slim Shady LP. I remember vividly the first time hearing this record early in grade 10 and I also remember watching the video for the first single My Name Is…thinking what the fuck is Dr. Dre doing in this video? Well, I was about to find out..I went with my older brother to this music store in Downtown, i forgot what it was called but it’s still on Granville St. Anyways, it sold a bunch of old CD’s and he picked up this Eminem album entitled The Slim Shady LP. Now in my young mind, I thought The Marshall Mathers LP was his debut (stupid). After patiently waiting, my brother let me borrow the album and I had my turn to listen to it. I slid it into the CD changer and I knew after hearing the Public Service Announcement, this was gonna be on some other shit. Daamn, did it blow my mind. “..tell her you need a place to stay, you’ll be safe for days, if you shave your legs with Renee’s razor blades!” Man…that’s some beautiful wordplay right there. This was Eminem before the glits and the glamour, before the videos and awards. Before he was stressed out about success, when he was still depressed about being dead broke and taking care of his family.
This album was different then the Marshall Mathers LP. It had the same amount of violence, the same amount of drugs but more voices, more battle rap verses, added with a little more humour. I didn’t think rappers were allowed to rap like this. Usually rap was about having it all but Em rapped about getting jumped by a bully and receiving brain damage, his wacky mom who did more drugs then he did and stuffing his baby mama in a trunk while his daughter helps him throw her in the ocean (haha Tyler ain’t got shit on this). Overall, I still consider this his best album, not as polished as his next few albums but in the essence of hip hop, it was superior to all.
OK, that’s my little take on the classic but the good people at Complex had a dope post dedicated to the album and you can check it below. PEACE.
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