Eminem

EMINEM · Post by **EMINEM** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 6:52 pm

What are your opinions about this guy?

Brink · Post by **Brink** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 7:00 pm

I don't really like him (neither do I hate him for what he does).I don't know why his life is so highly publicised though; is it just because he's a white rapper(therefore, something different from the norm? )?

[ 07-28-2001: Message edited by: Brink ]

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 7:05 pm

Technically I think he's a good rapper, and he's good at making hit list music. He's also very good at drawing a lot of attention to himself.

Musically, I don't find him interesting, and I find some of his lyrics quite pathetic.

To make a parallell: NWA wrote many offensive and discriminating lyrics, but IMO they had something else to say too. Eminem has not. But if I don't listen to the lyrics, I don't mind dancing to his music if I hear it at a club.

EMINEM · Post by **EMINEM** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 7:06 pm

Kind of strange isn't it? The best rapper in America (the world?) is white, while the best golfer in the world is black (Tiger Woods). Love or hate him, it is difficult to ignore him, or his disturbing lyrics (ie. "Stan," my personal favorite thanks to Dido singing the chorus, "My tears are cold and I'm wondering why... etc).

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 7:18 pm

Originally posted by EMINEM:
Kind of strange isn't it? The best rapper in America (the world?) is white, while the best golfer in the world is black (Tiger Woods).

I like that

I don't like the idea of anything being exclusive. As late as a few decades ago, black people were only not allowed to play golf at Augusta National (the Master's course, in Georgia), now Tiger Woods has won the event several times

(Although I wouldn't say Eminem is the best rapper, even if he's the most popular, but that's just a question of personal taste.)

Brink · Post by **Brink** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 7:21 pm

Eminem does know how to sell himself well (and that's a fact

)

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 7:33 pm

Personnally, I don't like Rap. The lyrics, or image made in most of the songs just don't appeal to me, and I feel no need to listen to the stuff. The same goes towrads Slim.

Brink · Post by **Brink** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 7:37 pm

I don't find rap appealing as well (too much profanity for my liking

)

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 7:54 pm

Amen Brink, Amen...

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 7:55 pm

Originally posted by C Elegans:


To make a parallell: NWA wrote many offensive and discriminating lyrics, but IMO they had something else to say too. Eminem has not.

This about covers my opinion as well.

EMINEM · Post by **EMINEM** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 8:12 pm

Hmmm... I doubt he would be as popular as he now is if that were the case. Too simplistic an argument IMHO. His listeners aren't stupid, and his songs are more lyrical than they are head bobbing. Look beyond the stereotype "profane rap artist" and listen to the lyrics. You'll find a method to his madness.

The Outsider · Post by **The Outsider** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 8:14 pm

I dislike rap music intensely. Partly because I'm getting old, and my hips have fallen off, and partly because I prefer more subtle lyrics than "b*tch! you make my fingers twitch!".

A couple of points:
-Rap music is almost exclusively music of and about life in the ghetto, ya? Stories of being oppressed, of having no other choice than to act like a big dumb fool with a gun and where nobody has any dignity. So on and so forth. However...
-Rap music is almost exclusively purchased by white suburban kids.

My question: are these kids identifying with social protest inherent in rap's statement of world position, or, are these kids (sub)consciously enjoying music that describes how black people are oppressed?

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 8:16 pm

American Governmental Subliminal messaging strikes again, this time, it's rap.

Brink · Post by **Brink** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 8:16 pm

@Eminem-Which is why I posted that he knows how to sell himself well.I think most people(especially those who are rebellious) listen to him because of his real-life notoriety

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 8:21 pm

Originally posted by EMINEM:
Look beyond the stereotype "profane rap artist" and listen to the lyrics. You'll find a method to his madness.

There is a method alright...a method of how to sell records.

Examples (PLEASE DON'T TAKES THIS SERIOUS)

1.I shoot my girlfriend for having sex.

2.I shoot Bugs Bunny for having sex.

Which one of the two will sell records.

EMINEM · Post by **EMINEM** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 8:23 pm

Notoriety can be either good or bad. It depends on what you do with it. I do not admire his lyrics as much as I do his ability to rattle those who seek to stifle any political incorrect view or form of expression.

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 8:30 pm

Is that a trick question Weasel?

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 8:35 pm

Originally posted by EMINEM:
Hmmm... I doubt he would be as popular as he now is if that were the case. Too simplistic an argument IMHO. His listeners aren't stupid, and his songs are more lyrical than they are head bobbing. Look beyond the stereotype "profane rap artist" and listen to the lyrics. You'll find a method to his madness.

Appealing to popularity to assure quality is a usual argument. "Half on the earths population eat rice every day, so rice must be the best food in the world."
If Eminem or someone else is the best rapper in the world, is a question of how we define "best". If we define "good" as selling most records, than Brittney Spears and Back Street Boys are much, much better than Beethoven, Chopin and Tchaikowsky taken together. Also, soap operas and "emotional entertainment" like Jerry Springer talk show, is better than a BBC program about the history of 19th century literture.

Do you get my point?

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 8:42 pm

Alright C E! Your kicking butt! Keep it up! Whats a "Beetohven"?

(Kidding)

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 8:44 pm

Originally posted by The Outsider:
I prefer more subtle lyrics than "b*tch! you make my fingers twitch!".

A couple of points:
-Rap music is almost exclusively music of and about life in the ghetto, ya? Stories of being oppressed, of having no other choice than to act like a big dumb fool with a gun and where nobody has any dignity. So on and so forth.

The rap culture is different in different countries and I'm sure this holds very true in North America. However, Swedish rap music is very different in lyric's style. As I wrote in another thread, a popular rap artist got a prestigious academic prize recently for his lyrics. Swedish rap is often very policital and rather intellectual. Political satire, different social problems (not only surburb-related) and love (of course) are common topics. Offensive language is not at all prominent.