Eminem and Slim Shady are both stage names for the same artist, and fans from around the world often download his music videos. Whether you are looking to download music videos for free or would be willing to pay for videos from your favorite artist, you will enjoy them much more if you know more about the performer. Before you watch music videos by Eminem or anyone else, take some time to learn about the musician himself.

The Life and Art of Eminem

Eminem was born as Marshall Bruce Mathers III. Even though he was named for his father, Marshall Bruce Mathers, Jr., he was raised by his mother. His father abandoned the small family shortly after the boy was born. Marshall spent his youth moving between Kansas City, St. Joseph, and Warren, Michigan. He got his musical start as a teenager in Warren, Michigan, where he took the name M&M (Marshal Mathers). He began performing rap as an armature at age fourteen, and in 1995 he joined Soul Intent and released his first single.

The young rapper quickly gained a following among underground hip hop audiences, and he dropped out of high school at the age of 17 after being forced to repeat his freshman year due to lack of attendance. He worked as a cook and dishwasher at a local restaurant while he worked on his art, earning minimum wage. He had been signed to FBT Productions since his beginnings in 1992, but it was not until his first album was released in 1996 that he began to gain a following. With the debut if Infinite, the young musician changed his moniker to Eminem.

His fist albums were viewed with much controversy. Many accused him of copying the styles of other artists, such as Nas, AZ, and Cage. In 1997, Eminem won second place in the Rap Olympics, which continued to grow his following. In 1999 he released The Slim Shady LP, his first major studio album. It became one of the year's most popular albums, going triple platinum. The lyrics were quite controversial, including songs dealing with death and murder.

This first platinum album ushered in a new era for the artist, and he released several multi-platinum albums over the next six years. In 2005, many rumors about Eminem's immanent retirement surfaced, and he took a break from recording. In the same year, he was listed as #58 in the book 100 People Who Are Screwing up America, where the author Bernard Goldberg criticize the explicit lyrics of the performer.

Eminem has faced much scrutiny from the rapping world because he is Caucasian, and this has put much of the anger in the music. He forced his way into the industry, he reached success when he partnered with his mentor, Dr. Dre, and together they created the Marshal Mathers LP, which won three Grammies and was nominated "Album of the Year," which had never before happened for a rap album. Whether or not Eminem produces another album, he has impacted the rap industry and produced many popular music videos and albums.

Eminem Trivia

- Eminem had knee surgery, which causes his awkward stance

- As a boy, Marshall wanted to draw comic books

- Eminem wears glasses

- The artist has millions, yet cuts his own hair

- He is the only Caucasian to ever be on the cover of XXL or The Source

- Sports a tattoo of his daughter, Haile Jade, on his right shoulder

- Has one child and custody of a niece named Lainie

Eminem may be known for his music, but a lifetime of rejection, first by his father, than by the school system, and finally by the rapping world, made his music what it is. The next time you watch a music video from Eminem, you will do so with a little more knowledge of the man who is performing for you.