The credibility given to Eminem for “keeping it real” lies in the lyrical contents of interest. The extensive use of imagery, relatable events, and feelings of empathy fuels an understanding emitted from his depiction of societal issues that teenagers closely relate to, which gives him credit for “keeping it real.” The importance of reality-based lyrics lies in the audience’s reception and relatability of the content. As Lynette Holloway notes, Eminem’s lyrics focuses on life calamities that attract a massive audience. With existential topics that challenge societal norms, and even bring up self-reflective questions in Eminem’s lyrics, it is undoubtable why his songs are so popular. This teenage-determined interpretation of “keeping it real”
does not always promote violence, but rather self-reflection, contemplation, and thus self-evaluation. Eminem recalls of life in the ghettos and poverty-stricken communities, and the challenges and difficulties those face. Thus, his music is well received due to human’s primal attraction to relatable experiences, and his lyricism displays understanding, empathy, and relation. The specific audience, being teenagers, that Eminem focuses displays the cultural insecurities that teenagers possess, especially those living in sub-par economic or family conditions. With Eminem’s early life experience being a primary influence on his lyricism, it is undoubtable that even Eminem sees experience as an important factor in his lyrics. However, though relatable to many and “though it is difficult to tell fact from fiction” (Holloway 16), Eminem speaks the voice of many impoverished by the detriments of single-parent life, and therefore is most appreciated in an adolescent audience. Thus, the determining factor of success in rap lyricism is not whether its content is reality-based, just like how touching and emotional stories need not to be based on real stories, but rather whether or not there is a target audience that is able to empathize and understand the content, circumstances, and situation that the lyrics speak out to the audience.
When listening to rap music we get to experience the environments that the MC lived through. Most MC’s use music as a way of coping with reality, their violent and hard life. In this way they find a kind of shelter in their songs even though these songs describe their life and how hard it is.
Songs are one way of expressing feelings and emotion, many artist do this constantly in their music. To some it is why they make music. There are endless signs and verses that hint at many things such as problems, politics, living in racist era’s also places. I chose to focus on one main rapper and his music only. I chose to examine, review, and study a few of his songs. Kid cudi grew up in cleveland, Ohio. His father passed away when he was a young age which affected the kid ever since. He writes about living his life and having to go through many obstacles
Right away Macklemore establishes his credibility and knowledge, ethos, by stating, "When I was in the third grade I thought that I was gay, 'Cause I could draw, my uncle was, and I kept my room straight" (Haggerty, Lewis, Lambert, 2102). With such a forceful statement, he shows that he can relate to this issue, which gives him the credibility that people look for in such an important topic. By speaking of personal experience, this gives the audience a closer look into his life and may feel a connection that many people might need to relate and understand the lyrics or topic of the song. With the song beginning with an anecdote about Macklemore as a third grader fearing he was gay brings a great sense of the ethos appeal. This directly illustrates society’s corruption of an innocent child’s mind with the fear of being gay and believing that being gay would be a fault. This opening anecdot...
A North Carolina rapper named Jermaine Lamar Cole released his first mixtape called The Come up in May of 2007. The mixtape included a song that had a deep and thoughtful meaning, that song was called "Can 't Cry". In the song J Cole tells us about his life and how he goes through some tough times. He describes what is important to him now he is a grown man and what his goals are which he plans to achieve but gets sidetracked by the world we live in. In this essay I will first explain my definition of what the audiences are and then another sources and finally J Coles own definition from the song. J Cole effectively engages his audiences-men, black men and people who struggle with issues in life by revealing the stereotype that society has
This paper analyzes Eminem’s, “When I’m Gone”, a song whose central theme is premised on the love for family and is evident on his conversation with his daughter, Hailie. I chose this song because of the interesting conversation that brings to the fore the deep emotional ties between the Eminem and Haile. Eminem’s passion for music seems to have taken precedence over the love for his family. Hailie endures so much heartache and misses her father every time he leaves home for a global fame and success through music. Eminem loves the daughter who he says he can give an arm for but can’t stop his music career because it is his passion and
While on a recent carefree jaunt throughout Harlem, I was introduced to the lyrical genius of one “Big L.” As is common of all true artists, Mr. L passed before his time, but not without a legacy. You see, it is the will of the Almighty Himself that I elucidate the meaning of Mr. L’s first major work, “Put it On,” in order for it to be made accessible to the common man and the upper crust alike, so that this truly majestic piece may live for eternity in the bosom of humankind. To this end, I have composed a line-for-line translation of the complex, sophisticated diction, which, I expect, will henceforth serve as the standard through which all scholars will study this master of the English language.
Over time, some rap artists might adapt the stated sexist and racial beliefs, and think that they become something better and consciously place themselves above their audience and pretend to be more superior than women Hip-Hop Culture + Politics). The following lyrics provide examples and show how misogynistic beliefs are represented in rap music. The presented excerpts are highly offensive and controversial, but they show the contemporary type of rap that has been and is still produced by well-known recording studios (Adams and Fuller 949).
The story presented by the lyrics is actually of Eminem’s childhood and early career, but presented in the third person to make it arbitrary. The point, however, is not to tell his own story, it is to provide a story in which rap is a redemptive power in somebody’s life and is able to lift them from poverty and pain. It does this by stressing persistence. For example, the song opens with Eminem unable to complete a rap because he forgot the words, this occurs in the line, “He opens his mouth, but the words won't come out. He's chokin', how, everybody's jokin' now.” The song says he doesn’t give up, though, instead, “he goes back to his mobile home, that's when it’s Back to the lab again yo, this whole rhapsody He better go capture this moment and hope it don't pass him.” This line shows him clinging to the dream of becoming a good rapper, despite the poverty and failure standing in his way, and trying to achieve that goal. Not only do the lyrics tell of hope and perseverance, but also of confidence in oneself in their ability to succeed. For example, the lyrics say, “This world is mine for the taking, Make me king, as we move toward a, new world order”; they are essentially a cry of manifest destiny from one’s own goals and speak of an extreme will to exceed. Overall the lyrics are very powerful in the sense that they can connect to people fighting stacked odds to achieve their own goals in
“Everybody has goals, aspirations or whatever, and everybody has been at a point in their life where nobody believed in them.” Unfortunately, such claims are blatantly present in the private lives of common people. These claims are often construed through modes of expression other than words. More specifically, the lyrics of music in songs gravely depict these frequent conceptions in life. A famous rapper, Eminem, also known as Marshall Mathers, launched his music career in 1996 with his debut album “Infinity”. However, he was not renowned until Dr. Dre a ‘rap game changer’ teamed up with him in 1999. One of Eminem’s most well known albums “Recovery”, includes the song “Not Afraid”. Much like Eminem’s other songs, “Not Afraid” implements parallelism,
Marshall Mathers, better known as Eminem has succeeded against all odds, growing up in a multitude of broken homes in the ghettos of Detroit, and fighting to rise to the top of African-American dominated art form. Eminem was constantly bullied and victimized, being told that he did not belong just for being white and that he was not going to succeed. He has proven that with desire, drive, and dedication anyone can accomplish their greatest goals no matter their background. Eminem has suffered to get to where he is today. The theme of suffering is embodied even in his music, “Lose Yourself” “Sing for the Moment” and “Not Afraid.” Each song demonstrates an area
This song is basically means that he’s successful and the people who kept it real since day 1 are still with him expect Meek Mill. When I look back on how much I made it. I beyond proud of myself. I recently graduated from Delano High School, I know it ain’t much but that’s a big deal. In high school, any that involves creativity I got a good score on it and people tell me that I’m really creative. In my pottery class in High School, my teacher loved my artwork and one of my pots when to the art show in my High School. Of course I’m proud of myself. I even help out my best friend on getting a better grade on that grade. In my senior year, I have to take an English 9 class aka an english class with freshmens. Not gonna lie, it wasn’t that bad they even liked me. In that class, I helped out a lot of freshmen on their problems. But my last semester of high school, I dropped the class because I was going to BC instead. The freshmen in that told me that I’ll be great as a teacher. LOL. With that open class, I wanted to be a Teacher Aid for one of my favorite high school teacher. Of course, I got the class and I helped my teacher with everything. I wanted to helped him out because he helped me out in the class. I also helped out the underclassmen with their math problems which was nice. I remember my last day in that class, I still help him out with being a
Eminem is a name that most Americans have grown to know about in the last year. Not only for his music, but for the controversy that his music brings. Many people are offended by his lyrics and they believe that he should be regulated in some way. In my paper I will give some background on Eminem, some examples of his lyrics, different points of view, and my personal beliefs on this situation.
Despite taste in music, age or nationality, everyone is bound to know the famous rapper, Eminem. Many eagerly awaited his return to the music industry; while some hoped to never see his name on the charts again. After a long break from the industry, Eminem made his return in 2010, rising to the top of the charts once again. Critics have claimed his lyrical content is inappropriate and effects the nation’s youth negatively, but his fans argue that he and his 2010 return have been a source of inspiration and encouragement in their lives.
People are surrounded by music every day of their lives. They hear it in their homes, on the radio on their way to work; some people have even caught themselves humming the tune of their favorite song to themselves. But how many people actually listen and not just hear the music they are listening to? Teens in particular don’t realize the message behind the music they are quoting the lyrics to, or the effect it has on them. In today’s culture where rap music has become increasingly popular, many teens aren’t realizing what they are listening to. A lot of teens would argue that the music they listen to has no effect on them, but they are wrong. Rap music, especially, has had a major impact on teenagers in today’s society.
Through his career, Eminem has been a source of inspiration to most young Americans, who believe that they can turn their lives around through rap music and Hip Hop. In addition to inspiring other artist, Eminem has also contributed immensely to the evolution of rap music by setting the bar high for upcoming rap artist who would want to venture into meaningful rap music. Upon analyzing all of Eminem’s career achievements, and contribution into rap music and the music industry, it is obvious that he deserves his current ranking, and has solidify his position as a rap