I'll never forget, back in the summer of 2000, when a friend of mine said he had back stage passes to 'Marshall's Concert here in Toronto.
I had no idea what, or more so who, he was talking about; but a girl beside me in the car was all, "Oh My God! Can I come too!"
I laughed and shook my head. Why would anyone be so excited about a guy named 'Marshall' having a concert? Just the name Marshall made it sound like a German accordion ompa fest
lol
Everyone around me could see that I was less that impressed by the plans to attend the concert. So one of the guys turned me and said, "You do know who we're talking about right?
"No!" I replied laughing. I thought this dude was way too excited to be going to this obvious snoozfest.
He turned and said, "It's Marshall Mathers... You know, as in Eminem?"
I looked at him, still completely clueless as to who he was referring to, "WHO?" I asked.
He was shocked at my ignorance, "Marshall Mathers, Eminem, you know- the guy that sings the Slim Shady song!"
"Oh!" I said, as the lights went on upstairs, "I love that song! Can I come too?"
Everyone in the car laughed at me, guys and girls, both mocking and snickering at my complete change in both interest and expression.
Sufficed to say, I wasn't allowed to go the concert as tickets were rare, and they weren't gonna give me (the girl who didn't even know who this Eminem was) one of their treasured front row/back stage passes to meet him.
It would be years before I would hear the name Eminem again, and soon after I heard the music, I heard the words...
The next time he caught my ear was with the song, 'Just loose it' yet again he had me laughing at his silly childish outbursts, and comedic verbal torture talent.
But it was when I first saw the video for his song 'Stan' that I saw this guy wasn't just a smart ass, loud mouth. He had a very deep perspective on the world around him, and he uses his sense of comedy to relay his message. I was taken aback. I stopped, and re-listened to the other songs I had heard before, and I heard it... A song with in a song, words and tones pointing out a whole new meaning I never saw before...
Songs like 'Superman' 'Cleaning out my Closet' & 'Sing for the Moment' took a deeper meaning and I identified with much of what he was pouring of his own soul. Even though I never bought that album I felt his words, and when Encore was released- I was ready for it!
Though much of the banter and 'mid mix drivel' could have been avoided in this album, I still enjoyed hearing it the first time or two... That is of course before I started my 'skip each talk between the tune' approach, that I would religiously follow for the next few years.
Sure, there was his usual hilariously rude antics in songs like, 'Ass Like That' & 'Big Weenie' but so many other songs really tuned into life and it's frustrations. When I was going through a major breakup, I found 'Puke' to be a very empowering song. Not something I would usually listen to, I assure you, but at that precise moment, when I was feeling so hurt and betrayed, Eminem was spewing out all the things I didn't have the words, or the nerves to say. I could crank that song in my car and speed down the 401, just belting out my mind to his music, and I felt almost purified from the anger I was feeling. I didn't need to flip out, act out or be in pain, because I had a venue to vent my frustrations in a healthy way- singing (or more like screaming- BC I was P*ssed!) I could just keep just hitting the skip button, and re venting through that song. When it was over, and I felt as if I had calmed down enough to come back from anger, a song like 'Mockingbird' was there to refocus me on the things that truly matter in life, our children.
M's song 'My 1st Single' was a great way to brush off the stress of a rough day. Letting you know that things don't always go as planned, but you can either rot in despair, or fu@k it and move on!
'Big Weenie' a song about all those who try to pull you down because they can't stand 'unsaid competition' and a real nature driven talent. That song got me through many pit falls as well, and helped me regain perspective on the ridiculous nature of many people in the world. Simply by reaffirming the fact that just because someone has problem with you, doesn't make it your problem- it's theirs! So let it slide...
There's one song on there that definitely hits me in a way I've never thought a simple string of notes and words ever could, 'Crazy in Love' Each and every word of this song points to one of the longest and most passionate relationships in my life. Maybe part of the passion was in fact because of the craziness? But it's never been anything I could ever explain to anyone, and something I didn't think anyone else would ever understand. The first time I heard that song, it hit me like a ton of bricks! That's me, that's US! I know this love, this pain, this obsessed passion between lovers. An instant connection was made.
I know many people called 'Encore' a bust, and a quick spit out for an instant album; but I really don't see it that way. I see it as a reflection of what Marshall was going through. The pitfalls and frustration of life, of fame, and of family. People are always giving him such a hard time, the 'poor little rich boy' and what not, but money doesn't stop or fix problems.
Even Biggy knew, "The more money we come across, the more problems we see.."
M's album 'Encore' lasted me a long time, I still listen to it in the car (when the kids aren't around) but I'm glad he made a new album. Because once again, I'm ready for it.
I've only heard 2 songs off of 'Recovery' so far, 'Not Afraid' & 'Love the Way You Lie' And I've only heard them on the radio (censored versions) but still they touched me. I find "Love the Way You Lie' takes another musical stab at broken/abusive relationships, much like 'Crazy in Love' did a few years ago.
M's song, 'Not Afraid' is both apologetic and empowering, as he slices up everyone and everything that has kept him down. At the same time he also reconnects to his fans letting them know that he is human, he makes mistakes; but he is here to keep fighting, and speaking for those of us without voices. So that all of us can be heard through his words.
I did buy 'Recovery' a few weeks ago, and it was kinda funny too.
When I went to the store to get the CD, the guy at the counter asked me if I wanted the censored or uncensored version of it?
I laughed and said, "Dude, if I'm gonna actually PAY for this CD (and not just pirate it off the internet) I want every word worth of my money... Besides if I get it uncensored- M swears so much that there'll be nothing but background music playing"
I'm now thinking I should have bought 2 CD's. One censored and one uncensored, because I don't have a CD player in the house, and every time I get in the car the kids are with me.
So why am I writing this post?
huh... maybe because I'm board. Maybe because I can't sleep tonight. Maybe because I love to write anything that inspires me when I get the time & Marshall Mathers does inspire me!
Eminem, Marshall Mathers, matters. What a fabulous artist, what a tortured soul, what a voice to be heard by those who've truly learned to listen.
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