Eminems Artistry

Influences, style, and rapping technique

Eminem has cited several MCs as influencing his rapping style, including Esham,[216] Kool G Rap,[217] Masta Ace, Big Daddy Kane,[217] Newcleus, Ice-T, Mantronix, Melle Mel (on "The Message"), LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Run–D.M.C., Rakim and Boogie Down Productions.[218] In How to Rap, Guerilla Black notes that Eminem studied other MCs to hone his rapping technique: "Eminem listened to everything and that's what made him one of the greats".[219] In the book, other MCs also praise aspects of his rapping technique: varied, humorous subject matter,[220] connecting with his audience,[221] carrying a concept over a series of albums,[222] complex rhyme schemes,[223] bending words so they rhyme,[224] multisyllabic rhymes,[217] many rhymes to a bar,[225] complex rhythms,[226] clear enunciation,[227] and the use of melody[228] and syncopation.[229] Eminem is known to write most of his lyrics on paper (documented in The Way I Am), taking several days or a week to craft lyrics,[230] being a "workaholic"[231] and "stacking" vocals.[232] Examples of hip hop subgenres that Eminem's music has been described as include horrorcore,[233][234][235] comedy hip hop,[236] and hardcore hip hop.[237][238] Eminem also incorporates rap rock into his music and has cited rock acts during the 1970s and 1980s, such as Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, as influences in his music.[239][240][241][242]

Alter egos

Eminem uses alter egos in his songs for different rapping styles and subject matter. His best-known alter ego, Slim Shady, first appeared on the Slim Shady EP and was in The Slim Shady LP, The Marshall Mathers LP, The Eminem Show, Encore, Relapse, The Marshall Mathers LP 2, and Kamikaze. In this persona, his songs are violent and dark, with a comic twist.[243] Eminem downplayed Slim Shady on Recovery because he felt it did not fit the album's theme.[244] Another character is Ken Kaniff, a homosexual who pokes fun at Eminem's songs. Ken was created and originally played by fellow Detroit rapper Aristotle on the Slim Shady LP, where Kaniff makes a prank call to Eminem. An argument after the album's release prompted Eminem to use the Kaniff character on Marshall Mathers and later albums (except Encore and Recovery). Aristotle, angry with Eminem's use of his character, released a mixtape in his Kaniff persona ridiculing him.[245]

Collaborations and productions

See also: Eminem production discography and Eminem discography § Guest appearances

Although Eminem usually collaborates with Aftermath Entertainment and Shady Records rappers such as Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, D12, Obie Trice and Yelawolf, he has also worked with Redman, Kid Rock, DMX, Lil Wayne, Missy Elliott, Jay Z, Drake, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Xzibit, Method Man, Jadakiss, Fat Joe, Sticky Fingaz, T.I. and Young Jeezy. Eminem rapped a verse in a live performance of Busta Rhymes' "Touch It" remix at the 2006 BET Music Awards. He appeared on Akon's single "Smack That" from Konvicted, Lil Wayne's hit "Drop the World", and "My Life" (the lead single from 50 Cent's Street King Immortal).

Eminem was the executive producer of D12's first two albums (Devil's Night and D12 World), Obie Trice's Cheers and Second Round's on Me, and 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin' and The Massacre.[246] He has produced songs for other rappers such as Jadakiss' "Welcome To D-Block", Jay-Z's "Renegade" and "Moment of Clarity", Lloyd Banks' "On Fire", "Warrior Part 2" and "Hands Up", Tony Yayo's "Drama Setter", Trick-Trick's "Welcome 2 Detroit", and Xzibit's "My Name" and "Don't Approach Me".[247] Most of The Eminem Show was produced by Eminem and his longtime collaborator, Jeff Bass,[248] and Eminem co-produced Encore with Dr. Dre. In 2004, Eminem was co-executive producer of 2Pac's posthumous album Loyal to the Game with Shakur's mother, Afeni.[249] He produced the UK number-one single "Ghetto Gospel", featuring Elton John;[250] "The Cross", from the Nas album God's Son;[251] and eight tracks on Obie Trice's 2006 album Second Round's on Me (also appearing on "There They Go").[252] Eminem produced several tracks on Trick-Trick's The Villain (appearing on "Who Want It")[253] and produced four tracks on Cashis' 2013 album The County Hound 2.

Eminem is considered unusual in structuring his songs around the lyrics, rather than writing to beats.[254] One exception was "Stan", which came from an idea and scratch track produced by the 45 King.[254] After doing little production on Relapse and Recovery, Eminem produced a significant portion of The Marshall Mathers LP 2. He said about producing his own music, "Sometimes, I may get something in my head, like an idea or the mood of something that I would want, and I'm not always gonna get that by going through different tracks that other people have made. They don't know what's in my head. I think maybe it helps, a little bit, with diversity, the sound of it, but also, I would get something in my head and want to be able to lay down that idea from scratch."[255]

Comparisons with other artists

As a white performer prominent in a genre influenced by black artists, Eminem has been compared, much to his chagrin,[256] to Elvis Presley,[257] and has lyrically been compared to the aforementioned to Bob Dylan.[258] Rapper Asher Roth has been compared to Eminem, and Roth devoted a song on his album ("As I Em") to him, which he took offense to.[259][260][261] The accomplished trumpeter Nicholas Payton has called Eminem "the Bix Beiderbecke of hip hop".

Eminem and Christian hip hop artist KJ-52 have been compared to each other, with KJ-52 called his "Christian counterpart".[262] KJ-52's single, "Dear Slim", was controversial with Eminem fans when it appeared on Total Request Live. Although he said the song was not intended to be disrespectful,[263] KJ-52 received hate mail and the song was number 26 on VH1's Top 40 Worst Moments in Hip Hop list.[264]