Music Review: Eminem – Relapse

Eminem: New album, new lifestyle. Eminem’s Relapse released May 19, 2009 and was reported to have sold over 650,000 in its first week and is expected to set 2009 sales records. J!–Ent headlined on June 6th, “Eminem takes the #1 spot for the second straight week.” The Billboard currently places Relapse at #2, while it continues to hold Relapse at the #1 spot for “Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums”.

Eminem is no stranger to being on top of the music charts considering he's had five albums debuting at the number one spot; Marshall Matters LP (2000), 8 Mile Soundtrack (2002), Encore (2004), and Eminem’s Curtain Call (2005), while Slim Shady LP (1999) landed the number two spot. In fact, according to Rolling Stone Magazine (as reported by Billboard.biz), “Eminem’s last five albums alone have combined for roughly 33.3 million in sales just in the United States, making the rapper the bestselling artist in hip-hop.”

As the story goes for many famous musicians from all genres, child abuse (neglect) and poverty are part of Eminem’s background. Eminem was born Marshall Bruce Mathers III in St. Joseph, Missouri. His mother, Deborah, was only 15 when she gave birth to Marshall and shortly after, Eminem’s father abandoned his family, which was only the beginning of a life of turmoil for this young boy. Marshall was raised by his mother, which was no role model by any stretch of the imagination, and unfortunately spent most of his life in poverty experiencing and enduring all of its hardships.

The name Eminem emerged from using his initials M.M. as his rap name. Because he was white in a predominately black arena, Eminem was rejected as a rapper, despite his talent. His determination led to radio shows and “rap battles”, something you can learn about by watching his terrific film, 8 Mile.

In 1996, Eminem released his first album, Infinite, which only sold 1,000 copies. Later in 1998 Eminem hooked up with Dr. Dre, Aftermath Entertainment, where they produced his first hit, The Slim Shady LP that won a Grammy for Best Rap Album. This was the beginning of his rap stardom and controversy. In 2005 Eminem announced that he had entered drug rehab for a "dependency on sleep medication". Now it's 2009 and he’s returned drug free and is back on the charts with a hit album, Relapse!

Article Author: Christine Lakatos

Mom, author, blogger –– Fitness Flash, politics, culture, and more; ACE Certified Fitness Trainer since 1980; retired bodybuilder and fitness competitor; and American Gladiator contestant back in 1990. MY DIVA DIET: Fitness Book Series for women of all ages at www.MyDivaDiet.com.
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