Eminem

USA, 1996–now

American rapper (b. 1972, Marshall Mathers III). Known for rapid, densely rhymed lyrics and the alter ego Slim Shady. Broke through with The Slim Shady LP (1999), produced by Dr. Dre; one of the best-selling music artists of the 2000s and among the first white rappers to gain broad critical acceptance.

MusicRoots documents 5 artists who influenced Eminem and 4 artists Eminem influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Eminem?

• Dr. Dre — Dr. Dre signed Eminem to Aftermath in 1998 and produced his breakthrough records; beyond production, Dre's craft was a direct influence Eminem has repeatedly acknowledged.
• Rakim — Eminem has named Rakim among the MCs who shaped his rapping, citing the complex rhyme technique that Rakim pioneered.
• Beastie Boys — As a white rapper, Eminem looked to the Beastie Boys as proof of crossover credibility, calling them a major influence.
• Run-DMC — Run-D.M.C. were part of the golden-age hip-hop Eminem grew up on and cited among his formative influences.
• Public Enemy — Public Enemy's dense, aggressive lyricism was among the golden-age influences Eminem has named.

Which artists did Eminem influence?

• BTS — Eminem's wordplay and lyrical density were a direct model for BTS's rap line; RM names him among the rappers who shaped him, and the three rappers went to Eminem's Seoul show in 2012, a year before debuting.
• Kendrick Lamar — Eminem's intricate internal rhyming is one of the techniques Kendrick's writing draws on.
• 50 Cent — Eminem signed 50 Cent to Shady Records in 2002 and executive-produced his breakthrough, shaping his major-label sound.
• Twenty One Pilots — Tyler Joseph has cited Eminem as a formative influence — Eminem's rapid, confessional rap shapes the hip-hop side of Twenty One Pilots.