12 Times Eminem Spit Lyrical Fire

Taking inspiration from Dr Dre, Eminem looked out for other burgeoning talents, and after The Slim Shady LP’s success, founded Shady Records in 1999. The first act to be signed to Shady Records was Em’s Detroit running buddies, D12.

Releasing their debut album, Devil’s Night, in 2001, D12 were immediately thrust into the limelight. Their first single ’Sh*t On You,’ debuted at number 2 on the US Rap Songs chart. Their following single, Purple Pills, made it to number one in the same chart and is the group’s most well-known song.

However, D12’s next international release, Fight Music, is the group’s greatest display of lyrical prowess. Featuring a stop/start guitar riff and the sound of a raucous crowd observing, Fight Music, inspired by The Marshall Mathers LP track, Who Knew, is an anthem for disenfranchised high school students across the world.

When Eminem testifies, ‘I came to save these new generation of new babies / From parents who failed to raise them ‘cause they’re lazy’, he assigns himself a saviour to the bullied, neglected, and abandoned.

This shows the evolution of Eminem’s perception of his role within music. Initially, he announced he wasn’t a suitable role model for young adults. However by 2001, and after three years of unprecedented success, Mathers seems to welcome the idolisation from his oppressed fanbase.