World's King

I'm starting this thread for the purpose of either bitching or praising Eminem...

He's on the cover of the new Rolling Stone. Under the title "The Genius of Eminem."

I find this very odd. He's now being billed as the most important and popular rapper of all time. Now don't get me wrong... I like him... own all the albums and look up to his skill on the mic but I'm sick and fucking tired of him. It's been the same shit for how many years now? The man said the word "faggot" on an album that was baught by a 13yr-old five years ago and people are still freaking out like he still fucking matters. There are so many more important things in the music world to bitch about than the use of the words "faggot" or "bitch." When are we gonna have a group protesting Creed for pushing Christianity on the masses? When is the world gonna tell Britney Spears to shut her fucking mouth and do Playboy already. When is Christina gonna get the point that we don't care how little clothing she has on we still don't care about her? When is Limp Bizkit gonna realize that being a drunken frat boy isn't cool and never will be? I want real music... I want the charts topped by band like the Deftones and Tool... I want to see little 14 yr-old girls wearing silver flight jackets and shaved heads.

Sorry... I went off a little there.

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heavy is the head that wears the crown

kurty[B]

Mainstream music is simply a marketing scheme. It's more about image and appearance then talent. We'll never see "real" musicians topping the charts, because we're a society of consumers, and some MTV board of marketing directors are picking what's "appropriate and popular" and because of that most of America goes along.

I've gone back to listening to college radio stations to find some different music to listen to. I still pop in some Em or Dre or Snoop CD every once in a while. For the most part, I generally find my favorite CDs from a musician are their first ones, before they sell out to the marketing and the money and change their style and no longer create "art" just so they can get the buck.

I wish for more bands like Tool, who continue to do their own thing, and continue to produce perfect outstanding music time after time after time.

sngx1275

Eminem is a good rapper, he has some talent in his lyrics and style, but I don't think he's the greatest thing since the invention of radio.
I'll side with you guys on the tool and deftones stuff, they are awesome bands and aren't played by mainstream radio, well at least not around here.
I don't really have anything unique to say, you just really have to go out to places where unknown bands play to hear stuff, sure lots of times their music isn't the best, but hell its at least a live band and you got to tip back a few brews in the process. And every once in a while you will hear something you really like.

brandon11983

Eminem needs to be fucking shot.

TOOL is probably the "purest" band in music today. Ever notice how you've never seen Maynard on TV, or hear about him fucking Britney Spears?? TOOL is about music, and nothing else. TOOL fans are true fans, not flavor of the week, disloyal fucks that follow that mainstream shit.

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KWSN

TOOL are most definetly the real shit. TOOL fans, TOOL members, and TOOL's music are all pure, unadulterated actual MUSIC. That, I definetly appreciate.

As far as Eminem goes, I think that people think he's so great just because A) he curses a lot and B) He's affiliated with Dr. Dre. Personally, I think he's really not that smart. Hey, we all have a lot to bitch about, he's just a lot more vocal about it. I don't see why everyone wants to give him a trophy for it. Or even a pizza. Maybe a pizza trophy...

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World's King

It seems everyone here feels the same way I do...

At least so far

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heavy is the head that wears the crown

crow_daw

No, I think that Eminem is a brillaintly good rapper. But yeah, I'm so damn sick of his ass. He's starting to be a lot more repetitious now, all he has to do is bitch and moan. Nothing else. He needs to take a cue from a rapper who actually has something to say, like Nas.

I think Maxim said it best when it comes to Eminem, "...its pretty damn good for a poor white kid from Detroit, but is that all there is?"

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"We each have a star, all we have to do is find it. Once you do, everyone who sees it will be blinded." - Earl Simmons

clonmult

Eminem is okay, but so full of his own self-importance that its unbelievable.

Like, he's stopped Wierd Al from doing a video to accompany one of his rip-offs, because it'll devalue the Eminem image? What a bleedin' idiot.

Even Madonna, Michael Jackon and Nirvana allowed Wierd Al to do parodies/videos without any problems.

TaLoN

he is pretty damn good compared to anyone, not just a poor white kid from detroit

i have not heard one other rapper that matches his lyrics. point out to me one other person who uses nearly as many non-repeating lyrics that he does.
aside from his songs where he actually says what he is thinking (unlike ass-kissing artists that only say what fans want to hear), his songs are pure comedy. He does what he wants and gets away with it; i admire any person that can do that.

gwangaii8

I'm sicka sicka sicka slim shady.

EvilPoda

Fuck Eminem.

Real men run with the Psychopathic Hatchet Man

World's King

Faggot 2 Dope and Silent Gay?

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heavy is the head that wears the crown

NeverBorn

Look I said fuck give me a grammy. He thinks hes so damn innovative, if you listen to his songs he repeats words and phrases endlessly. Like one song is just another with a lil lyric changes and a different backbeat..pure crap

crow_daw

OK, I'm sorry, but NO ONE can touch Nas lyrically. He's brilliant, and I really like Eminem, but he's not as lyrically gifted as Nas.

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"We each have a star, all we have to do is find it. Once you do, everyone who sees it will be blinded." - Earl Simmons

CCHSDawg

Call me biased, a trend-follower, a fan-boy, whatever you will...but Eminem is probably my favorite rapper (either him or Ludacris). Sometimes he can be repetitive, I'll give you that, but he's still such a solid rapper (MY opinion, not necessarily yours) that his albums are worth the hype and price. His main singles are catchy enough to start a summer on a high note radio-wise, and the rest of his songs are at least listenable, but usually strong tracks that really deserve to be recognized (again, MY opinion and not necessarily yours).

As for his cussing, hey, I'd like to see him tone it down some because then it'd show alot of critics if he's really as skilled as people like me say he is, or if he's a bust like many other people think he'd be. I don't want him to rule it out though, as that's what made him anyways, his wit and cussing controversy.

If nothing else, be proud for him since he's exposing Ja Rule.

hawkeye

I personally can't stand most rap 'music' (tho I like old school Run-DMC style stuff) and eminem is the worst of the bunch for me. I will admit that he is a marketing genius, being able to sell himself like he has, but I deny any personal talent on his part.

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You're just a giant ball
of love, covered in anger.

Radio Monk33

I don't like him as a person, but I find Eminem's music a guilty pleasure. Its just...catchy. Ugh, must think punk rock thoughts.

On a tangent- can anyone recommend songs by Nas? I;ve only heard one of two songs, but I like it so far...

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"Punk rock had this cool, political personal message. It was a bit more cerebral than just stupid cock rock, you know"
-Kurt Cobain

crow_daw

Just a few of the many great songs by Nas:
If I Ruled The World
The Cross
New World
I Can
Nas Is Like
Hate Me Now
Come Get Me
Smokin
Dr. Knockboot
and his two best ever IMO:
Undying Love
One Mic (one of the best rap songs ever)

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"We each have a star, all we have to do is find it. Once you do, everyone who sees it will be blinded." - Earl Simmons

striderkevin

Eminem is a fucking moron.

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alkaiser

and to add on

N.Y. State of Mind, The Message, and Doo Rags

World's King

That's odd.


He thinks you're super-fucking cool.

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heavy is the head that wears the crown

ninety09

He's the only rapper that I actually enjoy listening to.

doomdoom

On Eminem.....i think that people just heard to much about him before they actually hear his music and made up their minds whether or not they liked him based on that. so his musical abilities have small bearing on how good alot of people think he is. kinda how like people wither love hilary clinton or hate her, just because. not because of her actual politics. i do agree that there is a genius to him. but i think its a genius is his marketing more than anything


On TOOL....i dont know if i agree that they are the 'puriest' band out there. i mean i agree they are more genuine than most bands out there, and certainly the major-label bands, but what about bands like fugazi or other indie-label bands? dont forget the less successful bands that stay true to what they hold.

On Creed...(i know this wasnt really a main point but i gotta say something) there actually is a group protesting them pushing christianity on the masses, theyre called Christians. i am a Christian and ive never met a another Christian that respected Creed, and not just musically, but because they arent genuine in being Christians. it seems to be a marketing ploy.

but thats all just my opinion.

docbungle

"My mom is a bitch. Fuck Brittney Spears. Christina is a whore. My mom is a bitch. Fuck Brittney Spears. Christina is a whore."

I agree: Eminem never repeats himself or raps about the same thing over and over and over and over......

He always raps about things that matter and have depth and make me think.

He exudes intelligence.

Yes, I am being very sarcastic. He would be really good if he could just graduate kindergarden. He certainly adds to the stigma that "white people are corny".

He needs to stop rapping about my My Little Pony and start rapping at his age level.

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Bad Luck City

docbungle

Oh, and he always disses stupid, lame, everybody hates them, safe to make fun of people. He never disses anyone of stature that he has a problem with. And no, Ja Rule doesn't count.

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Bad Luck City

cpomdima

What about Benzino? IS he of no stature?

cpomdima

I hated Eminem with a passion. I thought that everyone liked him beacuse he was a white rapper. I hated his repetitive choruses on his first couple albums. i hated his whiny nasely voice and those stupid sound effects he puts in to his songs that make 13 year olds go "wow that was cool."

I used to think that the only real rap was wu-tang, kool kieth, and nas (as mentioned) because they had something to say. I used to think Eminem seriously thought he was for real and that pissed me off.

Then my close friend of mine started to get me thinking.

Eminem IS a talened vocalist. Eminem KNOWS he is just a poor white kid that made it big. He is not an ego-inflated fred durst. His tracks cut closer to home to the majority of rap listeners, angry white kids from the suburbs.

I really changed my mind about Em when I really took apart the song "The way I am" I think if you listen to his lyrics and not the hype, you can respect him.

In my opinion, his impact on modern music makes him one of the most influential figures of our generation. (I am in my early twenties)

If you haven't, listen/download the two tracks where he disses benzino, of The Source. Amazing.

docbungle

I'm assuming you are attempting humor?

No, "Benzino" has no stature. He's sold about about as many albums as I have. He runs The Source magazine and tries to give himself good reviews. Benzino is a joke. He's just some lonely guy who can't get a hit record cause he has no skills.

Benzino.

lol.

No one even heard of him 'till he tried to diss Eminem. And they forgot about him soon after.

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Bad Luck City

waxeater

He's no better than any Pop Idol winner.

Shoot him.

Eviltree

Personally, I don't really like his lyrics, the tunes are kind of catchy, but in general I think he's an idiot.

gom0626

I like Eminem...a whole lot. I agree that most people don't bother to listen to his songs/albums before passing judgement on him. Who else do you know that has put the words Munchausen Syndrome in a song and made it rhyme? The man is gifted. Maybe the reason he doesn't diss "real/credible" rappers is that he doesnt need to. Everlast, ICP, Benzino, Ja Rule....these are all artists that attacked him first. He didnt go out of his way to single these people out, he just responded to them. Dre doesnt do his beats much anymore either. He might conrtibute a couple of tracks, but Eminem is doing a lot of his own producing today, for himself and other rappers.

I gotta disagree about the whole Nas is king statements. I personally don't like his music much, maybe 3-4 songs tops. (BTW, his song One Mic was originally a concept song by Big Boi of Outkast that got leaked/stolen.)

Speaking of Outkast, why has nobody brought them up yet? They are arguably the most talented group in rap today. They are both lyrically gifted, production is always top notch, and all of their albums have distinctly different sounds/vibes to them. I've heard 3 songs from their new albums and they just floored me.

Lastly, I have to bring up Tool. Now, I have never heard their music, and probably never will as that genre is not my thing really (though I have been getting into some old Metallica). The people who say that they are the only PURE music group out there...they'e only doing it for the music....you sound just like everyone else who has a favorite musician or group. I'm not knocking you guys or anything, but that's just what I see/hear all the time. My favorite group is Outkast, and I think they are the cutting edge of music period. Someone else might think they sound like every other rappers out there today. I bet if Tool got mainstream acceptance, they wouldn't even think of shunning the limelight. Sure, most groups do it because they love doing music, but they also want to be heard by as many people as possible. Not being mainstream does not make them pure or only doing it for the music. To me it means that either people havent heard their music, or they don't like their music. Just my opinions though.....

How's that for a first post?

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I do not aim with my hand. He who aims with his hand has forgotten the face of his father.

I aim with my eye.

I do not shoot with my hand. He who shoots with his hand has forgotten the face of his father.

I shoot with my mind.

I do not kill with my gun. He who kills with his gun has forgotten the face of his father.

I kill with my heart.

Acme-143

nas would waste him in a mic battle, plain and simple. Eminem is repetative and has nothing else to say except to whine about his childhood. Any idiot can whine about his life and make money off of it *cough rap metal cough*. Personally, I think that he does it for attention and that is all. He name drops to get more attention. I have noticed that little kids cuss to make themselves sound more "mature". This is what Eminem tries to do as well. I wish he would disappear off the planet.

Oh, and Tool are the absolute shit and are true to music in every way. here are some other bands to consider:
Dimmu Borgir,In Flames, Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, Poison the Well,Behemoth, Cattle Decapitation, Children of Bodom, dark Funeral, Nile, Glassjaw, Meshugga, At the Drive-In, Sparta, mars Volta, Outkast, Nas, Richard Cheese, Anal Cunt, Crystal method, REFUSED (are fucking gods...a definite must for music lovers), fear Factory, unearth, and alot more I can't think of right now.

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druptight

He's the best rapper i've ever heard, and i listen to a lot. He has the best rhyme schemes, and best flow hands down IMO. Subject matter traditionally leaves something to be desired, but it was better on the most recent album. All in all, i say bring on the eminem.

nostalgic1

i don't like rap. its a bunch of mindless babble.

"i hate you, i hate this, i hate that, fuck you, my mom's a whore, in da club..."

to me, there never seems to be any real emotion behind rap songs... other than hate... all rap is, is one rap artist trying to get the best of another... its not even about the music... or the fans... rap artists are just 12 year olds arguing with a national mic to scream into...

maybe some rap has depth, or meaning, or whatever... but there just isn't enough of it to keep me interested.

as for eminem... i'm sick of hearing about how horrible his previous life was... i'll give him props for making it big like he did... but get over it.. we've all had hard times.. there was nothing spectacularly horrible about his childhood...

this is all just my opinion of course... not trying to dis any of you that enjoy rap.. please, listen on...

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I dare you to forget the marks you left across my neck from those nights when we were both found at our best. Now I could make this obvious, and you..you could deny me all in one breath. You could shrug me off your shoulders. Just forget me.. it's that simple.

souzafone

Personally I think music should involve instruments and musicians.

TaLoN

i don't believe that his humor, or his songs about raping and killing have anything to do with a young age level. eminem probably knows more words in the english language than 90% of the US population. after he dropped out of school he realized good rap songs need actual words in them instead of those corny noises other rappers make, so he studied the dictionary. as dr dre said, eminem has the ability to make non-rhyming words sound perfect together

TaLoN

so as a child you were locked up as well? your mother was a slut who fucked guys for drugs? you didn't have a father? you got your ass kicked because you were the only white dude in a black neighborhood?

nostalgic1

no, i had a father, a father that beat me every day of my life from the time i was two until i was old enough to fight back... but you don't hear me whining about it for years... because i got over it... i actually moved on... it is possible... even for eminem.

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I dare you to forget the marks you left across my neck from those nights when we were both found at our best. Now I could make this obvious, and you..you could deny me all in one breath. You could shrug me off your shoulders. Just forget me.. it's that simple.

QuasiMojo

I lost respect for the man when he gave Weird Al a hard time for wanting to use one of his songs in a video parody.

He should have been a little more gracious and even flattered.

~*~in retrospect
a lot of Slim Shadys videos are already parodies, so that may be the reason. hmm.

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RemyLebeau97

Eminem is the #1 rapper simply for one reason. He target's his music at young white teenagers and they make up for most of the spending in this country today. Last time I checked the white population in america was still in the lower 90% or high 80% range. I feel theres way better rappers out there that deserve to be #1 but as long as this countrys "white america" he'll remain to be #1, just my thoughts.