2. EminemMarshall Mathers LP
This is maybe one of the oldest reference points for me in the list, from my early teenage years. I tried to incorporate influences from the past in this list but I would say that I definitely still am influenced by Eminem. Unfortunately, I can’t rap. I wish I could but I can’t. I definitely relate to his sense of humour on this album and the whole trolling aspect of it. The early part of his career, when he put on this Slim Shady persona, seems very cathartic to me. He does that better than anyone. Lyrically, some things might be questionable, and I don’t like everything he talks about, but I think he’s one of the most gifted artists lyrically in terms of rhymes and ideas. He can be incredibly funny. I really relate to the dark humour, and he has an amazing voice in the tone when he raps.
He’s an outsider. He’s one of the few white rappers ever to be truly taken seriously and not only that, he’s very good at what he does. After this early part of his career, some of his work is questionable. His recent work over the last couple of years is not fully according to my taste – some of it is interesting – but when this album came out, it was a phenomenon. Everybody was talking about it.
