When I was younger I didn't listen to much of Eminem or really any rap music. I listened to country with few and far in between. As I grew older, my music interests reflected my attitude. I started listening to people like Akon and Green Day. The lyrics became a little stronger and a whole lot meaner. One day I remember I heard a song that changed my life and my motivation. Not Afraid by Eminem.
Most people older than me know Eminem as Slim Shady. The guy who would call out anyone and make fun of anything. He was the opposite of politically correct. Teenage boys would bleach their hair and wear white shirts just to look like him. The lyrics could be funny and angry in the same verse. You never know what was going to come out of this guys mouth.
Parents didn't want their kids to start listening to him. He was cancerous music in the changing times. A white man in a black mans game. A kid that didn't make it out of high school was changing the lives of millions around the world. He was the exception to the rule.
One of my first encounters listening to Eminem was when he dropped his Recovery album. I had always heard but never really cared enough to go find Eminem songs. My first album was a different Eminem that people didn't know. He was no longer a drug addict and was focused on making music again.
A few years later he dropped the MMLP2. That album really solidified to me that he is the King of Rap. The anger and hatred for his family was gone. He became more of a man and forgave his mom. The pain of love made his music even better.
When I really started to listen to all Eminem songs was once I had my first child. I started hearing my thoughts in his lyrics. I felt his pain in the words. I would hear an old song for the first time and know that I'm not alone in my struggles. When I was angry I would scream out those lyrics. When I was sad I would turn up the bass. When I was happy I would rap along with him. He helped me through the good times and bad. He will forever be the GOAT.
