Eminem, also known as Marshall Mathers, is one of the most iconic figures in hip-hop history. With a career spanning decades, his life is filled with fascinating stories and little-known facts. Here are 12 intriguing insights into the life of the man behind Slim Shady.
1. A Brush with Death as a Child
At just nine years old, Eminem was severely beaten by a school bully, leaving him in a coma for over a week. Remarkably, his music has since helped others recover from similar traumatic events, including a 12-year-old girl in Northumberland who was hit by a car.
2. Aspiring Comic Book Artist
Before becoming a rap legend, young Marshall dreamed of being a comic book artist. This creative spark is evident in his animated work, including the politically charged "Mosh" video and The Slim Shady Show series.
3. From Cook to Rap Star
Before fame, Eminem worked as a cook at a family restaurant in Michigan. While the Slim Shady persona might not have materialized without his rap career, Eminem has retained a fondness for fast food—he’s a Taco Bell fan to this day.
4. Family Drama Runs in the Blood
Eminem’s on-again, off-again marriage to Kim has been well-documented, but it pales in comparison to his grandmother Betty Hixson, who has walked down the aisle five times. Talk about family drama!
5. First Arrest at 20
Despite his rebellious image, Eminem wasn’t arrested until he was 20 years old. The charge? Shooting a paintball gun at a police car. While it didn’t mirror scenes from his favorite movie, Scarface, it added to his bad-boy persona.
6. Birthday Buddies
Eminem shares his October 17th birthday with notable names like Fugees’ Wyclef Jean, Ziggy Marley, and even daredevil Evel Knievel. Talk about a star-studded birthday lineup!
7. Michael Jackson and Eminem’s Music
Though Eminem famously mocked Michael Jackson in the "Just Lose It" video, Jackson later acquired partial rights to Eminem’s back catalog through Sony/ATV’s purchase of Famous Music LLC in 2007. Irony at its finest!
8. Moby’s Surprising Compliment
Despite being the subject of Eminem’s jabs, Moby held no grudge. The producer praised Eminem as "a remarkably talented MC" and even complimented his rhymes. A testament to Slim Shady’s undeniable talent.
9. Refused Parody from Weird Al
Eminem wasn’t always open to humor. He denied Weird Al Yankovic’s request to parody "Lose Yourself" with a song titled "Couch Potato," stating that it would detract from his serious image as a hip-hop artist.
10. Secret Service Scrutiny
Eminem’s unreleased song "We As Americans" caught the attention of the U.S. Secret Service for lyrics referencing the president. The ire was directed at then-president George W. Bush, not Barack Obama.
11. A Left-Handed Legend
Like many creative geniuses, Eminem is left-handed. Fans can spot subtle hints of this trait in his music videos and his semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile.
12. Eminem as an M&Ms Portrait
Florida artist Enrique Ramos created an incredible portrait of Eminem using over 1,000 M&Ms. This sweet tribute weighed more than eight pounds and perfectly captured the star’s likeness.
What’s Next for Eminem?
With his enduring legacy, Eminem continues to captivate fans worldwide. His album Relapse released on May 18th, 2024, marked another chapter in his extraordinary journey. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his music, there’s always something fascinating to discover about Slim Shady.
