This came out in 1999 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Until now, when people brought up white rappers, they were probably talking about Vanilla Ice and Snow.
Well, now there are — though you can probably expect Marshall Mathers to do away with his competition in pretty short order, if his dynamic debut album The Slim Shady LP is a sign. To his credit, the outrageous Detroit wiseacre is mentored by N.W.A’s gangsta rap pioneer and sonic engineer Dr. Dre (who produces some tracks). But Eminem is no Eazy-E. Sleazy-E, more like; his raps are filled with puerile grossouts and vulgar violence geared for kids who find Beavis & Butt-Head too subtle and sophisticated. Example: A guy crooning to his baby girl while driving around with his wife’s body in the trunk. Shocking? Sure. But make no mistake: Eminem has more than enough wit and wisdom to take his rhymes to level far beyond most mortals. So even if shock value is his main stock in trade, he (and his titular alter-ego) should have no problem cashing in big time.
