Entertainment Music Profile of Eminem Share PINTEREST Email Print Christopher Polk/Getty Images Music Rap & Hip Hop Basics Top Picks Rock Music Pop Music Alternative Music Classical Music Country Music Folk Music Rhythm & Blues World Music Punk Music Heavy Metal Jazz Latin Music Oldies Learn More By Henry Adaso Henry Adaso has written about hip-hop since 2005 and founded the award-winning blog The Rap Up. He has written for "Vibe," MTV, Rap Rehab, and more. our editorial process Henry Adaso Updated January 30, 2019 Name: Marshall Bruce Mathers III Stage Name: Eminem Birthday: October 17, 1972 Hometown: Detroit, MI Eminem Trivia Eminem released a little-known underground album titled Infinite, before his multi-platinum debut, The Slim Shady LP. He reportedly sold 500 copies of Infinite out of the trunk. Eminem is now the top-selling rapper of all time, followed by the late Tupac Shakur. Eminem's Childhood and Early Career Eminem fell in love with hip-hop as a teenager, dipping in and out of various rap groups. From the defunct New Jacks crew to Soul Intent, Em constantly utilized every available platform to showcase his microphone skills early on. Along with a friend named Manix, then 14-year-old Marshall would often perform in the basement under the moniker Manix and M&M. Marshall Mathers later changed his stage name to Eminem, playing off his initials. Infinite Skills Having conquered the local rap scene in Detroit through freestyle battles, Eminem had a buzz before he had a career. The apparent setback was gaining acceptance as a Caucasian rapper in a predominantly Black neighborhood. Em would later drop the laudable, Infinite LP, in '96. Naturally, he was still struggling to discover his style. As part of his quest for uniqueness, Eminem borrowed largely from the rhyme pattern of east coast veterans AZ, Masta Ace, Redman, and Nas, on Infinite. Mr. Controversy Some argue that Eminem's career is hinged on shock raps and controversial dispositions. After being discovered by Dr. Dre, who allegedly found Em's demo tape on the garage floor, the Detroit MC said 'hi' to the world with his comedic single, "My Name Is." The song sniped at pop culture icons, but it was only a taste of several controversies that would later fill Eminem's rap sheet. An accompanying full length, The Slim Shady LP, would go on to win the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. The Dirty Dozen Following Dre's advice, Em waited until after the multiple-platinum Marshall Mathers LP to bring his D-12 cronies along for the ride. D-12 was comprised initially of Bugz, Proof, Kon Artis, Kuniva, Swifty, Bizarre, and Eminem. The group witnessed a dark phase in their early days when Bugz (Karnail Pitts) was killed on May 21, 1999, following an altercation at a party on Detroit's Belle Isle Park. The dark days were relived on April 12, 2006, as Proof was gunned down at a Detroit club. Encore and Curtain Call Eminem probably lost some fans with the release of his fourth solo album, Encore. The album, a sequel to The Eminem Show, was criticized for its cartoonish imagery and regurgitated concepts. Even though it spawned gems like the plodding political punch, "Mosh," and the introspective "Yellow Brick Road," it was still considered a disappointing hip-hop album by Eminem standards. In late 2005, he dropped the greatest hits set, Curtain Call, hinting at a possible retirement from rap. Relapse and Recovery On January 14, 2006, Eminem rekindled his relationship with Kim Mathers by taking her to the altar for the second time. D-12 member and longtime friend Proof served as the rapper's best man, while daughter Hailie played Kim's bride-of-honor. Three months after their second marriage, Eminem filed for divorce from Kim, stating that a wedding doesn't solve underlying marital problems. In 2009, Eminem reverted to his Slim Shady persona on his comeback album Relapse. He followed it up with the therapeutic Recovery LP in June 2010. The Return of Marshall Mathers On November 13, 2013, Eminem rebooted his Marshall Mathers persona for the sequel to his 2000 masterpiece The Marshall Mathers LP. MMLP2 captured the mind state of a man trying to escape a troubled childhood. It tipped a hat to the original with an eye to the future. Business Ventures Some of Eminem's business ventures include: Shady Records ShadE45 Sirius Satellite Radio Shady Ltd. Clothing Eminem Discography 1996 - Infinite 1997 - The Slim Shady EP 1999 - The Slim Shady LP 2000 - The Marshall Mathers LP 2002 - The Eminem Show 2002 - 8 Mile Soundtrack 2004 - Encore 2005 - Curtain Call: The Hits 2009 - Relapse 2010 - Recovery 2013: The Marshall Mathers LP 2 Eminem Says "Why is it so hard for people to believe that white people are poor?! I wouldn't say I lived in a ghetto, I'd say I lived in the 'hood. The same friends I had back then are the same people on tour with me now."