Marshall Mather's career has been a roller-coaster ride of success, drug abuse, WTF moments and undeniable talent. Widely regarded as one of the best MCs of all time, Eminem has no shortage of recognizable tunes and hits.
Through a working relationship with Dr. Dre, Eminem took the world by storm with his (often mislabeled 'debut') album The Slim Shady LP. The music received tremendous playing time on networks like MTV, prompting parents and kids all over the country to disagree on the rapper's music. He would later address these types of problems on "White America."
But aside from the MTV songs, there are a slew of hidden verses and songs from Eminem's career. Whether he's on an ultimate posse cut for Sway & DJ Tech's album (just wait til you see that...) or being featured on a Notorious B.I.G. posthumous album, there's a ton of stuff you haven't heard from Eminem's heyday.
Everyone knows "My Name Is" or "The Real Slim Shady," but you may not know where it all started. Beginning with Soul Intent and ending with the lesser-known gems on The Slim Shady LP, we're diving in to Eminem's deep cuts.
Soul Intent - Fuckin' Backstabber
Before Slim Shady and Dr. Dre and everything we know about Eminem now, there was Soul Intent, a Detroit rap collective. On "Fuckin' Backstabber" you'll hear a very early Em flow along with a little Proof action in the chorus.
Soul Intent - Pooh Butt Day
And before "Fuckin' Backstabbers" Soul Intent was rapping about pooh butt. The recording is low-fi and the rhymes are nursery in comparison to the MC's later output, but this is a history lesson. Class is in session.
Eminem - Infinite
One of the most shallow deep cuts there is. The title track off Eminem's first album is one of the most lyrical flows you could hope to hear from the Detroit MC. Each verse is classic and the beat is incredible, so brace yourself for a great cut if you've never heard it.
Eminem - Tonite
If you haven't listened to Eminem's first album Infinite, you have to do yourself that favor. The young MC displayed some really promising steez on the 1996 LP that is often forgotten. "Infinite" is the ultimate deep cut, but "Tonite" is a feel-good joint that can rival any other song on the list, even though it isn't the kind of thing you've come to expect from Slim Shady.
Notorious B.I.G. featuring Eminem - Dead Wrong
This isn't the deepest cut on the list, but an often overlooked feature in Eminem's arsenal. Listen to the Detroit MC keep up with Biggie on this hard-hitting rap joint.
Eminem - Rock Bottom
Fast forward to the Slim Shady LP, Eminem was on the heels of taking the entire world by storm. His flow has matured and his subject matter has boiled down to angsty suburb problems, something that would resonate with an entire generation of kids whose parents were divorcing. "Rock Bottom" isn't funny, it isn't silly, but it's a tell-all tale of an MC whose story the whole world would shortly know.
Eminem - As the World Turns
If you want storytelling that's on par with Ghostface Killah or Andre 3000, this is your cut.
"I met a slut and said "What up? It's nice to meet ya
I'd like to treat you to a Faygo and a slice of pizza
But I'm broke as fuck and I don't get paid 'til the first of next month
But if you would care to join me, I was about to roll this next blunt
But I ain't got no weed, no Phillies, or no papers
Plus I'm a rapist and a repeated prison escapist
So give me all your money and don't try nothing funny
Cause you know your stinking ass is too fat to try to outrun me"
I went to grab my gun, that's when her ass put it on me
With an uppercut and hit me with a basket of laundry
I fell through the glass doors, started causing a scene
Slid across the floor and flew right into a washing machine
Jumped up with a broken back
Thank God I was smokin' crack all day and doped up on coke and smack
All I wanted to do was rape the bitch and snatch her purse
Now I wanna kill her but yo, I gotta catch her first"
Eminem - If I Had
Another emotional cut like "Rock Bottom," "If I Had" shows the real side of Eminem. When he isn't telling tongue-in-cheek stories about chasing fat girls around, he's telling the story of the struggle. It's the embodiment of that feeling you have when you're jobless with no prospects and little money.
"I'm tired of backstabbing ass snakes with friendly grins
I'm tired of committing so many sins
Tired of always giving in when this bottle of Henny wins
Tired of never having any ends
Tired of having skinny friends hooked on crack and Mini Thins
I'm tired of this DJ playing your shit when he spins
Tired of not having a deal
Tired of having to deal with the bullshit without grabbing the steel
Tired of drowning in my sorrow
Tired of having to borrow a dollar for gas to start my Monte Carlo
I'm tired of motherfuckers spraying shit and darting off
I'm tired of jobs starting off at $5.50 an hour
Then this boss wonders why I'm smarting off
I'm tired of being fired every time I fart and cough
Tired of having to work as a gas station clerk
For this jerk breathing down my neck, driving me berserk
I'm tired of using plastic silverware
Tired of working at Builder's Square
Tired of not being a millionaire"
Are you a hip-hop head? Are you having trouble wrapping your mind around the lineup posted above? You're not alone.
The cast got together for Sway and DJ Tech's album from 1999, and the dude's even shot a video for the Clan-like cut.
Press play and be sure to pick your jaw up off the floor after this 5-minute cypher.
Eminem & Dr. Dre - Bad Guys Always Die
Remember Will Smith's Wild Wild West movie? Well Eminem and Dr. Dre contributed this lesser known jam to the motion picture soundtrack. It sounds just as classic as anything pre-Marshall Mathers LP but didn't get the popularity that many of their collabs did.