Table of contents ------1 I. Introduction ------2 I.1. Background ------2 I.2. Motivation ------3 I.3. Research Questions ------3 II. Method ------3 III. Survey and Discussion ------3 III.1. Self-portray - A Superstar’s Real Life ------3 III.2. Positive Influence - Courage, Rebirth, and Never Give Up ------5 IV. Conclusion ------7 References ------9

A Study on Eminem – Authenticity and Courage

I. Introduction

Eminem was praised as the “King of Hip Hop,” (Rolling Stone, 2015) and his song “My name is …” (Eminem, 1999) was ranked as one of the fifty greatest HIP-HOP songs of all time (Rolling Stone, 2013). Nevertheless, being a well-known rapper, his behavior, such as the impoliteness and rudeness towards certain groups of people and the facts that he was in prison due to drug addiction and street violence, hasn’t been accepted by everyone, and thus, he has been thought of as an extremely controversial icon.

While in the meantime, a CNN journalist, Todd Leopold (2015), reported Eminem’s contribution to society. That is, even if Eminem was busy with his work, he still spared some time to meet in person a sick boy, one of his huge fans, before he passed away. Later, the little boy left the following messages to “Rainbow Connection,” a non-profit organization: “The Garmo family sends out a big thank you to Eminem and The Rainbow Connection for making Gage’s dream to meet Eminem come true. Eminem came to Gage’s Rochester Hills home and surprised the whole family! Gage was so happy!”

In spite of both positive and negative reports regarding Eminem and countless ironic words in the singer’s lyrics, Eminem’s creation has indeed aroused discussion and concerns in the field of rap music and society. In this research, we three researchers investigated the reasons leading him to create these lyrics, and what are some reasons that have made him so popular in the world of Hip Hop. Moreover, a further research on the positive and negative effects of his music on society is conducted.

I.1 Background

Eminem was born in America. He had a rather miserable childhood than any other child because his parents had divorced since he was just a baby; therefore, he didn’t know who his father was. Eminem and his mother depended on each other due to their poverty. They didn’t have a regular home to stay until they finally settled down in the suburbs of Detroit. From then on, they started having a better living standard.

Despite of the fact he was brought up in an awful environment, he had much interest in Hip Hop music. His first performance was at 14 and he often joined street freestyle music battle during senior high school. Owing to the tough living experience, his music style tends to be ironic, and reflects the authentic lifestyle of lower-class Americans.

Out of strong empathy, he wants to encourage people from minor groups. Most of all, his

A Study on Eminem – Authenticity and Courage music has provided a relief for those with strong disbelief, and inspired numerous people to still be positive and to believe in the good.

I.2 Motivation

We three researchers are interested in Hip Hop music. Though we know Eminem’s music well, little do we know his real life. What we know is that in his lyrics, the world is full of murders, guns, drugs, violence, gambling, and so on. Hence, in this research, we looked into what happened in his past leading him to be such a controversial singer with so many outstanding music outputs. Moreover, through the survey of his works, his books, and his real life experiences, the researchers tried to figure out positive and negative impact his music has had on society.

I.3. Research Questions

1. Being such a controversial public figure, what are the positive and negative influences Eminem has had on the public? 2. How come has Eminem composed his music with so many “negative” words? 3. In which ways has Eminem encouraged people like him and those from minor groups?

II. Method

The main purpose of this research is to investigate Eminem’s authentic life story and to look into the influence of his music. Therefore, this is a qualitative research, in which the lyrics of the singer’s songs and reports from significant magazines and websites were collected and surveyed. The three researchers reviewed the literature and did thorough analyses.

In this paper, lyrics of four representative songs were reviewed, and further discussions on the singer’s real life and on Eminem’s positive and negative effects on society are presented in the third and fourth section.

III. Survey and Discussion

III. 1. Self-Portray - A Superstar’s Real Life

Eminem’s creation is so realistic owing that he never hesitates to share his authentic life experience in his songs. He conveys his sorrow, courage, and ambition through his own life story.

Take “Cleaning out my closet” (2005) as an example. Eminem is brave enough to disclose his

A Study on Eminem – Authenticity and Courage tragic childhood, in which he was abandoned by his father. Thus, he had no memory of his father, which led him to detest his father to such an extent that he even wanted his father to die. But after his daughter Hailey was born, he earns a chance to revive.

Lyrics excerpted from “Cleaning out my closet” (Eminem, 2005) I was a baby maybe I was just a couple of months My faggot father must've had his panties up in a bunch Cause he split, I wonder if he even kissed me goodbye

No I don't, on second thought I just ＊＊＊＊ing wished he would die I look at Hailey, and I couldn't picture leaving her side Even if I hated Kim, I grin my teeth and I try to make it work.

In addition, the song “When I am Gone” in the album “Curtain Call” (Eminem, 2005) was Eminem’s completely new creative work in the end of 2005, and was dedicated for her favorite daughter, Hailey. Traced back to 1995, the year Hailey was born, it seemed that a newborn baby had magic which turned Eminem milder than he used to be. Nonetheless, in the same year, his wife divorced him. All these complex bewildered him, and his true feelings were completely presented in the song “When I’m Gone.”

Lyrics excerpted from “When I’m Gone” (Eminem, 2005) But what happens when Karma, turns right around and bites you? And everything you stand for, turns on you, despite you? what happens when you become the main source of her pain?

Obviously, Eminem didn’t want anyone to harm his beloved family. Faced with his domestic problems, he had no idea to solve any of the problems; as a consequence, he was so puzzled and so lost in the predicament.

(Lyrics excerpted from “When I’m Gone”) Yeah… It’s my life My own words I guess Have you ever loved someone so much, you'd give an arm for? Not the expression, no literally give an arm for? When they know they're your heart And you know you were their amour And you will destroy anyone who would try to harm 'her

The above lines indicate that after all the misfortune, he felt nothing but lonely, helpless, and

A Study on Eminem – Authenticity and Courage depressed. He wanted to express his loss of family after divorce, and he knew clearly that he could do nothing but express his love by lyrics. He would like to do more for them; all he could bring for them was humiliation, though. He was eager to protect, and to be accompanied with them to make up his mistakes.

(Lyrics excerpted from “When I’m Gone” ) And when I’m gone, just carry on, don’t mourn. Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice. Just know that I’m looking down on you smiling. And I didn’t feel a thing .So baby don’t feel no pain. Just smile back.

The above lyrics vividly point out that Eminem wanted to spend his lifetime accompanying his daughter, yet in reality, he had to leave her. Thus, he hoped his daughter to be strong enough to smile at anything tough and harsh, and he wanted her to remember that he, as a father, would always stand by her side.

III. 2. Positive Influence – Courage, Rebirth, and Never Give Up

Owing to the awful childhood memory, Eminem had relied on sleeping pills to stay calm for a long time. What’s worse, after his friend’s death, his drug addiction became even stronger, and his life was overwhelmed. Hence, he declared that he stopped composing due to treatment. After a few years, his new album “Recovery” was released, symbolizing that he was back to a normal life and he was fully prepared to be a normal person. The new song “Not afraid” (Eminem, 2010) describes that he had conquered his addiction, and he obtained his rebirth.

Lyrics excerpted from “Not afraid” (Eminem, 2010) I'm not afraid to take a stand Everybody come take my hand I guess We'll walk this road together, through the storm Whatever weather, cold or warm Just let you know that, you're not alone

The lyrics above indicate that after his addiction was healed, he decided to compose again. He didn’t care about how other people judged him, proclaiming his return. From then on, he would stay with his fans and continuously create new music. He would never give up no matter what is going to occur.

(Lyrics excerpted from “Not afraid”)

A Study on Eminem – Authenticity and Courage

I'm breaking out of this cage I'm standing up, Imma face my demons I'm manning up, Imma hold my ground

The three lines above suggest that he was breaking through all the odds against him and getting over the obstacles in his mind. Thus, eventually, he decided to be the master of his own heart and his own life. To face the problems and solve them, he determined to come back to the real life.

(Lyrics excerpted from “Not afraid”) I think I got a tear in my eye, I feel like the king of My world, haters can make like bees with no stingers, and drop dead No more beef flingers, no more drama from now on, I promise

It seems that he is making promises to his fans, and to himself as well -- he would never be a coward of life again. Recalling everything he had experienced, for better or worse, he couldn’t help but burst out crying. Brave enough to face his own weakness, he ended up overcoming his addiction and adversities.

(Lyrics excerpted from “Not afraid”)

When I say 'em or do something I do it, I don't give a d＊＊＊

What you think, I'm doing this for me, so f＊＊＊ the world Feed it beans, it's gassed up, if a thing's stopping me I'mma be what I set out to be, without a doubt undoubtedly And all those who look down on me I'm tearing down your balcony.

The lyrics above point out that now he was able to do everything he wanted indulgently. No matter how hard it would be, he knew clearly that he had the ability to overcome any obstacles, such as his addiction, rumors and slanders. Those who used to despise him will one day pay respect to him for his courage to seek rebirth.

Furthermore, contrary to Debbie Nelson’s, Eminem’s mother’s, early declaration in 2008, Eminem proudly released his new album “Shady XV” in 2014. Debbie Nelson (2008) stated, “… if I made one mistake as a mother, it was giving in to my eldest son’s every whim … He never knew his father, … what mother wants to be known as a pill-popping alcoholic who lives on welfare?” From his mother’s words, it was proven that Eminem had experienced dreadful domestic violence when he was little. Now, being a grown-up, he was strong enough to deal with those he had been afraid of. Lyrics in the song “Guts Over Fear” (Eminem, 2014) clearly convey how he overcame his fear since childhood and encourage listeners who encounter the same circumstance as him to speak

A Study on Eminem – Authenticity and Courage out when feeling fearful.

Lyrics excerpted from “Guts Over Fear” (Eminem, 2014) I was a Afraid to make a single sound Afraid I would never find a way out Afraid I’d never be found I don’t wanna go another round HE An angry man’s power will shut you up Trip wires fill this house with tip toed love Run out of excuses for every word So here I am and I will not run Guts over fear, the time is near Guts over fear, I shed a tear For all the times I let you push me around And let you keep me down Now I got, guts over fear, guts over fear

IV. Conclusion

In this section, the researchers would answer the three research questions and give an overall conclusion.

Research Question 1. Being such a controversial public figure, what are the positive and negative influences Eminem has had on the public?

Two of his negative influences on the public are the vivid descriptions of certain negative behaviors and rude criticism on some celebrities, both of which aroused some harsh reviews from certain media. Consequently, he has been defined as a controversial figure. Moreover, some critics may consider Eminem’s work lacking depths since words Eminem had chosen were too realistic. Carmen Rios (2013), a online commentator, criticized, “…It's not that Eminem is awkwardly rapping on despite being irrelevant. It's that the man who performed a song about strangling his girlfriend in front of her at a concert actually remains one of the most popular artists…that's just plain frustrating.”

On the other hand, Eminem is a superstar who spares no effort to help people in need by joining certain charity-organized activities. Once he helped raising money for the poor by design limited-edition sneakers and this experience was stated by Eminem in his autobiography photo book

A Study on Eminem – Authenticity and Courage

“The Way I am” (Eminem, 2008, p.42) “… The rest of these are part of a nine-pair Air Max line we did with Nike to raise money for their Nine Million Charity. I’ve always wanted to be able to design shoes like this anyway, so it’s really special to do so while helping people at the same time.” Eminem did show his warm-hearted ambition under his tough look.

Furthermore, many of his lyrics have been encouraging people in need. Take, “Guts Over Fear, ” as an example. Through sharing his ups and downs in life, he called for everyone to be brave enough to face the unknown in the future.

Research Question 2. How come has Eminem composed his music with so many “negative” words?

As mentioned in section I. 1. in this study, due to his family background, he realizes the misery and hopelessness being the disadvantaged; as a result, he wants to help, from disclosing the cruel reality of lower-class society, and to encourage people like him to never give up.

Research Question 3. In which ways has Eminem encouraged people like him and those from minor groups?

According to his lyrics and his experiences of joining charity-organized activities, he empathizes with the disadvantaged and those in need, and tries to help them in his way, his one-of-a-kind music. No matter when or where, his inspiration will always lead those in need to face their fear, and to conquer difficulty in life.

All in all, whether the impact Eminem brought to people is positive or negative, his creation has been sharing increasing popularity owing to the always-encouraging intentions through the lyrics. Most important of all, people, however rich or poor, should remember to stay positive, have “guts over fear,” and make their own way out.

A Study on Eminem – Authenticity and Courage

References

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