Eminem

Marshall Mathers I Never Knew I

An interesting challenge...
Write an article defending Eminem and free speech while limiting the content so as not to offend anyone.  Think about it, not an easy task, but here we've given it our best shot.

Consider Marshall Mathers, Eminem, and his debut album Slim Shady which sold 480,000 copies in only 2 weeks.  Why the fascination? Is he a great musician? Perhaps.  An amazing talent with great producers? I don't think so, his songs sound erriely similar.  Is he a great Lyricist that knows how to spark controversy without actually being prejudiced or offensive?  That could be it...

What does he really say!?!?  Are his lyrics offensive or are most people simply offended?  Bare with me a second.  There is a difference.

"Who Knew" from The Marshall Mather's LP is an excellent song that looks into the psyche of Mr. Mather's.  The first refrain, which we won't even republish here, starts with the usual lyrics that caused the hysteria that launched his career.  The Chorus though, puts a new spin on his lyrics through reverse psychology, 
"Cause I never knew I, knew I would get this big
 I never knew I, knew I'd effect this kid
 I never knew I'd, get him to slit his wrist
I never knew I'd, get him to hit this b***"

The lyrics are replete with sarcasm but the point is valid.  How would anyone know that their lyrics would cause someone to slit their wrists?  How could someone be held responsible for their lyrics?  He goes on and prompts one to consider... should it really be Eminem who is held responsible??

"So who's bringin the guns in this country? (Hmm?)
I couldn't sneak a plastic pellet gun through customs over in London And last week, I seen a Schwarzaneggar movie where he's shootin all sorts of these mothers (edited) with a uzi I sees three little kids, up in the front row, screamin "Go," with their 17-year-old Uncle I'm like,
"Guidance - ain't they got the same moms and dads who got mad when I asked if they liked violence?" And told me that my tape taught 'em to swear?
What about the make-up you allow your 12-year-old daughter to wear? (Hmm?)
So tell me that your son doesn't know any cuss words when his bus driver's screamin at him, screwing (edited) him up worse ("Go sit the f*** down, you little f***in p****!")
And f*** was the first word I ever learned up in the third grade, flippin the gym teacher the bird (Look!)
So read up, about how I used to get beat up peed on, be on free lunch, and change school every 3 months"
"How many retards'll listen to me and run up in the school shootin when they're pissed at a teach-er, her, him, is it you is it them?
"Wasn't me, Slim Shady said to do it again!"
Damn! How much damage can you do with a pen?
Man I'm just as screwed (edited) up as you woulda been if you woulda been, in my shoes, who woulda thought Slim Shady would be somethin that you woulda bought that woulda made you get a gun and shoot at a cop I just said it - I ain't know if you'd do it or not"