The Eminem Blog

Rapper Eminem has rubbished constant rumors he is about to retire, claiming comments he made last year were misinterpreted.
The Oscar and Grammy Award-winner announced he was taking time out of his career after he was forced to pull out of his world tour to undergo treatment for sleeping pill dependency.
But he insists he is planning to concentrate on recording and producing again after announcing the end of his short-lived second marriage to Kimberley Ann Scott earlier this week.
He says, “People get it twisted when I said I’m taking a break. I never said I’m going to stop doing music. What I meant was that I’m taking a break from being the frontman and the centre of attention.”
“I want to fall back for a minute, but I never stop recording. I keep busy.”

Coming straight outta Compton, California, a young man named Curtis Young aka Hood Surgeon, notorious Dr Dre’s son is determined to keep the legacy alive.
Not only does Curtis look like a spitting image of his dad, the young man also inherited his talent. Curtis Young has a strong voice and spits with confidence on dope ass beats, representing the West Coast with pride.
Paradise starts on a beautiful Johann Sebastian Bach background. The mixture of a classical background combined with a soft chorus and Curtis’ comes up with a raw voice and a Compton hood spirit. The whole track is lead by the hand of a master. It looks like Dr Dre sings in the second hook. Well done.
The CD baby website will also allow you to get some more insight about Curtis Young’s The Autopsy mixtape.
Hood Surgeon steps into the rap game with confidence. The young man has some obvious lyrical skills that he intelligently combines with some dope ass beats. Listen to the young hip hop soldier open up your chest with an incisive scalpel. Let him introduce you into the Compton hood atmosphere. Beautifully handled, definitely West Coast dedicated, The Autopsy mixtape is really worth your interest. The CD is mixed up with some Dre and NWA samples. Instrumentally, the album is very much interesting too.
I recommend you Murder and Dead Body. Cold As Ice is also worth your interest. Catchy beats, dark bass lines and an incredibly skilled young man who shows some real talent.
The same passion that animates Andre Young is running through his son’s veins. Check out Curtis Young aka the Hood Surgeon, he will probably amaze you.

Eminem Files For Divorce; Kim Responds On Mojo In The Morning
Marshall Mathers has filed for divorce from his wife Kim just 82 days after remarrying her. In December, Eminem used Mojo In The Morning to announce to the world that the high school sweethearts planned to have an encore wedding. The reconciliation included a private wedding at Rochester’s Meadow Brook Hall. But on Wednesday morning, Marshall filed papers with the Macomb County Courthouse asking for a divorce and now Mojo In The Morning is in the center of the controversy yet again.
Kimberly Mathers called our show this morning to tell us that the divorce filing was a surprise to her: “I was hoping we could go to counseling and work things out but he sent an attorney to my house with papers and said that [Marshall] filed for divorce.” Kim also alluded to Eminem’s past drug addictions coming back to haunt him. She said that he moved out of their mansion six weeks ago and is now living in their Oakland County home. Kim confessed, “I see him doing a lot of the same things I did when I had my problem. I see exactly the same pattern that I was falling in. I was there so I’ve tried to reach out but unfortunately right now, if that’s not what he wants then there’s nothing anybody can do.”
Kim shared details of her children, saying that she agrees that Marshall should have joint custody of their daughter Hailie Jade. The divorce filing mentioned no special arrangements for Laney (Marshall’s neice) or Whitney (Kim’s daughter from a previous relationship) who lived with the couple. Marshall had legally adopted Laney and rapped about her in his recent song “When I’m Gone.” Kim said that Hailie learned about the divorce by listening to the radio station. When Mojo asked if it would be possible to get family life to get back to normal, Kim replied “I hope it doesn’t take losing everything, but right now we don’t even speak. I haven’t talked to him in over a month.” Spike reminded Kim that Eminem is a frequent listener and she could use the airwaves to reach out to him. Kim addressed Marshall directly: “I love you and I’m here for you. If you need anybody… I’m really sorry that things happened this way.”
Sara asked Kim if the marriage might have worked this time if Marshall wasn’t facing the drug abuse that she claims he is currently going through. She said, “I believe in my heart that it would have.” Mojo ended the conversation by asking Kim if she would remarry Eminem years down the road if he was clean and sober. She replied, “I never wanted to be separated. It’s not my choice, but it didn’t work out that way, I got an attorney at the door instead.”
Eminem’s response sent via e-mail: The details surrounding both my marriage and subsequent filing for divorce are private and I had hoped to keep them that way for the sake of my family. However, a few of Kim’s statements in the interview this morning need to be addressed. First, her allegations regarding my status post-rehab are both untrue and unfortunate. Second, she was aware that I was filing for divorce. We both tried to give our marriage another chance and quickly realized that a wedding doesn’t fix the underlying problems.
Mojo In The Morning respects Marshall’s privacy and we hope the situation resolves itself in a fashion that is best for his family. We also offer Marshall our airwaves should he ever wish to address unfounded rumors or set the record straight with his fans here in Detroit.

Eminem’s dysfunctional relationship with wife Kim has hit another low – he filed divorce papers Wednesday, less than three months after remarrying her.
The filing on behalf of Marshall Bruce Mathers III, Eminem’s real name, was confirmed by Eminem’s publicist, Dennis Dennehy, and two employees of the Macomb County clerk’s office. They didn’t provide their names, citing an office policy.
Dennehy had no other comment Wednesday.
The Grammy- and Oscar-winning rapper and Mathers remarried Jan. 14, a month after the couple announced they were getting back together.
Their first marriage ended after two-plus years in October 2001 in an ugly legal fight that included a custody battle over their daughter, Hailie.
Though the marital issues of most rappers wouldn’t make headlines, Eminem has used his tormented relationship with Kim, his high school sweetheart, as a source of his most popular and demented rhymes. He’s killed her off in song and assailed her with his lyrics – but that was before they got back together.
Eminem, 33, and Mathers, 30, reconciled in late 2004, and he announced in December 2005 that they would get back together.
The pair grew up in the suburbs along Eight Mile Road, Detroit’s northern border.
Last August, it was announced that Eminem had entered a hospital to undergo treatment for sleep medication dependency. A month earlier, he denied reports that he was preparing to retire from recording.
Eminem rose to pop stardom by delivering a number of best-selling CDs, deeply personal lyrics and a starring role in the 2002 film “8 Mile.”
He has won nine Grammys, including best rap album for “The Slim Shady LP,” “The Marshall Mathers LP” and “The Eminem Show.” He won an Oscar for the song “Lose Yourself” from “8 Mile.”

Many thanks to Uncle ILL for the info he accepted to share with me.

Jermaine Harbin aka Uncle ILL was born on April the 5th, 1976, in Detroit. Uncle ILL grew up in Detroit. Not only was he the witness of the early stages of Detroit hip hop, he participated largely to its first steps. Rich of 16 years of rapping experience, Uncle ILL has earned a lot of respect on the local scene. However, Jermaine Harbin deserves more recognition on a nationwide and international scale for his numerous collaborations and very original and diverse work.
Largely influenced by Ice T’ movie Breakin’, Uncle ILL started rapping at the age of 12.
How does he sound?
In fact, it is quite difficult to define Uncle ILL’s music. Very open minded about the music, Uncle ILL found his inspiration in many different artists such as Ice T, George Clinton, NWA, Eminem, Kraftwerk, Red Hot Chili Peppers and many more. With his typical grave voice, Uncle ILL talks about diverse themes from domestic disputes, fake thugs, hood life to moving to the suburbs and nosey behaviors, just to name a few themes.
Uncle ILL uses various instruments and manages to create a very dynamic and energetic sound. You could barely sit down while listening to Uncle ILL: most of his tracks are an invitation to move your body and dance to his music.
Uncle ILL is not a hardcore rapper, he nevertheless deserves the listeners’ attention for his good work.
Back in the days of early Detroit hip hop
Uncle ILL has collaborated with many local emcees on the Detroit scene. In the early stages of his career, Jermaine Harbin needed some beats. A friend of his, Fred, introduced him to Manix of Bassmint Productions.
At this time Manix was producing beats for Champtown’s album, Crazy Home escapist & Check It, an album on which Uncle ILL is featured.
This is also how two young men known as Marshall Mathers aka Eminem and Dan Carlisle aka Mc Hush crossed his road.
Soon Uncle ILL and Mc Hush would unite their talents and their passion for hip hop and work together on their common Da Ruckus label.
Da Ruckus
After his collaborations with local rapper Champtown, the Detroit rapper that would actually play a major role in Uncle ILL’s collaborations is another veteran on the local scene: Dan Carlisle aka Mc Hush.
Both rappers decided to unite their talents and their passion for hip hop and created the legendary label known as Da Ruckus that is mentioned in Eminem’s Stan song.
In 1997, Da Ruckus released an album independently, Quiet As Kept.
Federation Records decided to invest in the Da Ruckus label and the following year, the label would release an EP Da Ruckus Episode 1.
150 Emcees is an example of the beautifully well handled songs from the Episode 1 EP. Da Ruckus Episode 1 is rich of many interesting Detroit collaborations including Eminem, Swifty of D12, Miz Korona, Mad Chemist.
Two singles, « We Shine » in collaboration with Eminem and « We Came Here To Party » in collaboration with Dale, would be released in 1998.
In his Metro Times review of Da Ruckus, Hobey Echlin says about Epidode 1: « Episode1 isn’t just tight, it’s a pretty accurate depiction of a day in the strife. »
You will be able to listen to snippets of Epidode 1 here.
One of Da Ruckus’ main goals was to struggle for more recognition on a national scale. Da Ruckus’ musical style is dark and close to a definitely Esham inspired horror core.
Solo career and collaboration with Mad Chemist
After a while, Hush and Uncle ILL decided to both concentrate on their solo careers.
Uncle ILL started collaborating with Mad Chemist on his solo album Ya’ll Know, that was released in 2001. Mad Chemist produced Y’all Know.
You will be able to listen to some tracks of Uncle ILL’s album here.
I particularly recommend you Cho, Who’s Ya Uncle, Stress and Sunday. Uncle ILL’s CD is full of interesting Detroit collaborations, including Mad Chemisy, Mc Hush and Miz Corona. I’d call it a Detroit underground classic that is definitely worth your interest.
A rich career that is far from ending
Besides his numerous collaborations with fellow emcees,the commercials he did for various companies like Wireless Toyz, Uncle ILL also created his own clothing line Uncle ILL Gear.
Moreover, the talented and dynamic Uncle ILL never gave up his passion for rap: he is still active in making his original music. On November the 15th, 2005, he released a brand new CD, Undisputed (1996-2006), which can be considered as an anthology of his work and collaborations.
Uncle ILL has made a video for his Keep On song that can be found on his my space account.
Uncle ILL is a skilled emcee of experience. Co founder of the Da Ruckus label, Detroiters already consider him as a local hip hop legend. Check out the talented artist who is definitely worth your attention.

-Some of you might not know it, but Detroit legend Uncle ILL asked me to be his publicist a few months ago, so I am trying to get him more exposure, also on the Eminem blog…I’d be happy if you all discovered more of the incredible artist he actually is…
-Jason Crane, the Canadian writer, whose book Nucleus Metropolis I have reviewed a while ago, sent me another novel of his…I will be working on a review soon…
-Curtis Young, Dr Dre’s son, is determined to keep the legacy alive and is currently working on a mixtape. I will try to review a few tracks for you…
So stay tuned, folks, there are lots of interesting themes to come:)

Rating: 4,5 stars
Meet Obie and his crew in the streets of Detroit, ready for a bank robbery. People who are not familiar with hip hop culture might not know there are rules gangstas abide. You have to respect this code of honor, unless you wanna meet the reaper sooner than expected. Loyalty plays an important role and you’d better not snitch around.
Because of a snitch, Obie and his fellows have been transferred to jail. 5 days ago, they were about to make some big money in Detroit City.
Flashback. Watch Eminem mess up the banks camera with a bomb spray, allowing his accomplices to rob the bank and to take a lot of money away. While guards are running after Obie and co, the crew manages to excape and drives away in a van. Inside of the van, the gangsta crew rejoices about their maggot.
Akons voice sounds nostalgic and has a little reggae flavor. His words are a warning to the person would be tempted to betray Obie’s crew:
I keep the 40 cal on my side
Steppin with the mindstate of the mobster
See a nigga pass by
Tuck your chain in cause he might rob ya
Got glocks for sale, red tops for sale
Anything you need, believe me, Im gon lace you
Just dont whatever you do, Snitch
Cause you will get hit, pray I dont lace you, yeah
Picture the snitch in the street, stealing a homies chain and being caught by the police.
Nothing hurts more than a homies treason. Obie has some serious doubts about the young man who was full part of his crew:
Its risky, the bitch tend to rise out a nigga
Its history, Snitch, who decided hes a member
Once he got pinched, coincided with law
Same homie say he lay it down for the boy
Brought game squad around ours
How could it be ? Been homies since Superman draws
Only phoniness never came to par
He had us, a true neighborhood actor
Had his back with Ks
Now we see through him like X-Rays
Cuffed in that Adam car
No matter, his loss, we at him, its war
Knowing not to cross those resevoir dogs
You helped plant seeds just to be a vegetable
When we invest in team, its to the death fo sho
No ex and ohs, tex calicos
Aim at your chest nicca
The musical background for the video is as copious as a good meal: catchy beats combined with violins, maracas, guitar, harpsichord and drum sounds will allow to taste the song with delight.
Still in jail, Obie and his accomplices realize that they have been the victims of a plot, probably lead by the young man with the dreadlocks.
Obie eventually found out that the traitor moved to another area to keep cool:
Nowadays, Sammy Da Bulls got the game full
So he move to a rural area to keep cool
He snitchin on a snitch now, theres nothin to tell
Nowadays, your circles should be small as hell
Aint tryin to meet new faces, this dont interest me
Even if we bubble slow, well get it eventually
No penitentary, there will be no climacy
You will meet the lowest snitch in given us a century
These cats is rats now, the streets need decon
Thats how they react now, weak when the heats on em
Stop snitchin, you asked for the life your living
This act is not permitted, Nowhere on the map, It is
Forbidden to send a nigga to prison if you been in it
Along with em and then snitch and become hidden
So its no exs and ohs, techs calicos
Aim at your chest nicca
When you belong to a street gang, you gotta watch your actions and whatever you might do, snitching will sign your death certificate.
Some snitches move to another town, another state or even to another country. However, they should remember that wherever they go, they can be found.
The young snitch plays it cool, with girls and Champaign in a isolated house. But Obie and his fellows have his address and things are about to turn ugly.
I like the realness of the video that fully represents the street mentality. Be what you wanna be, but never betray your homies or you might pay the highest price.
Good job, Obie and Akon. I enjoyed the video from the beginning to the end.
Download Snitch at Shady Base.

Rating : 5 stars
Old school gangsta rap classic
Lolo nicely introduces the album. A crazy melody combined with some crazy noise start the track. Meet Dr Dre, Xzibit and Tray Dee and catch their conversation. Welcome to the hood of LA.
The Watcher starts on a catchy melody. Drums, beats, violins, keyboard sounds will make you feel the overheated atmosphere Andre Young puts into the track.
Some people seem to have forgotten about Dre now that he has made it. Many people seem to forget that he initiated that gangsta shit and that money hasnt changed the man he is. He might have moved from the hood, he is still hood. Young gangstas, you better watch your back, because Dr Dre is watching you.
Fuck You is written on a softer and a ironical note. A girl is getting sentimental on the phone, while Dre is thinking about raw sex, keeping the NWA mentality Life is nothing but bitches and money. The track features Snoop Dogg and Devin The Dude and is instrumentally well handled.
Who doesnt know Still Dre? This song is one of Dr Dre’s wonderful classics ( a must hear). Written on very rhythmic beats, rich instrumentals, combined with keyboards, violins, piano, bass and a grave violoncello sound in the background, the track will probably enchant any true hip hop lover. Dr Dre and Snoops vocal performances are enjoyable too. Money hasnt changed Dre. Yes, hes still gangsta and still has love for the streets. Still high on weed and still ready to write some dope ass songs for his listeners, Dr Dre is back with the same O.G spirit. You cant stay indifferent in front of the well written track.
Those With Big Egos is another well written and rhythmic track aimed at jealous people in the game, hating on rap pioneer Andre Young. Rapping with confidence, he closes haters mouth in no time. The song features Hitman.
Xplosive also belongs to those Westcoast classics you could barely ignore. Xplosive combines Dr Dre and Nate Doggs talents. Feel dark bass and keyboard sounds. A bomb is about to explode. Real Gs will take over and fakes better watch their backs.
Whats The Difference featuring Eminem, Phish and Xzibit is one of those classic hip hop songs that have influenced a whole generation and that will live on forever. Beautifully handled lyrically and instrumentally, the song is enriched with some dope ass beats that are so typical to an art Dr Dre fully masters.
Nostalgic, the track takes you back to the late 80s when NWA were still a group. Dr Dre will tell you about ancient memories. Travel back with him at a time he was cool with Ice Cube and when Eazy E was still alive. Despite the beefs that opposed him to his deceased homie.
The same track also enlightens Eminem and Xzibits talent. Enjoy the dope instrumentals combined with smart lyrics.
Each track of the album will make you hungry for more. Dont miss Forgot About Dre, the well known beautiful Dr Dre/ Eminem collaboration nor The Next Episode featuring Nate Dogg and Snopp Dogg. Another track deserves your attention: Lets Get High. Catchy, entertaining, written in a hustling style, the track will also allow to enjoy female rapper Ms Rogs talent. She comes up with harsh pimpette rhymes that will scare weak men away in no time.
Globally, Andre Young’s album is a hip hop classic that definitely belongs in your library. Very well handled lyrically, instrumentally and rich of many interesting artistic collaborations, the album is definitely worth your buy.

1. How would you define yourself as an artist within a few words?
I’D SAY I’M DIVERSE WITH CONTENT BUT HOOD ALL THA WAY. I’M NOT IN2 THAT COMMERCIAL SHIT & IT REFLECTZ IN MY MUZIK. I LIKE 2 KEEP IT RAW & SAY WHUT I FEEL HOW I WANT IT 2 BE SAID.
2. Can you tell us why you chose Terror as a nickname to represent you as an artist?
I HAD A FEW DIFFERENT NAMEZ I WENT BY BUT THIS SEEMED MORE LOGICAL. MY VOICE 4 1..MY ATTITUDE 4 2 (NOT CLAIMIN 2 BE THA TUFFEST BUT I AIN’T NO PUNK EITHA), & JUST MY OVERALL PERSONA. I’M EITHER REAL GOOD @ SUTTIN SO I TERRORIZE IT OR I’M JUST REALLY BAD SO I’M TERRIBLE..SO TERROR FITS..GET IT?
3. What motivated you to become an emcee?
I BEEN RAPPIN SINCE I WUZ IN LIKE 3RD OR 4TH GRADE, MAYBE EVEN EARLIER. LISTENIN 2 RUN DMC, ERIC B & RAKIM, BEASTIE BOYS, ALL THA RAPPERS FROM THAT GOLDEN AGE ERA GAVE ME A EAR 4 HIP HOP MUZIK & IT JUST STUCK WITH ME.
4. Since you started rapping, what was the biggest challenge you had to face?
MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE..& STILL IZ..IZ TRYNA DO A COMMERCIAL SONG. IT AIN’T ME SO IT’Z A HARD THING 4 ME 2 ACCOMPLISH. I’M NOT IN2 THAT BUBBLE GUM YUMMY YUM BULLSHIT SO IT’Z HARD 2 TRY 2 CATER 2 THOZE WHO LIKE THAT TYPE OF RAP MUZIK. RIDIN A BEAT & SPITTIN MY SHIT IZ NATURAL 2 ME.
5. Which artist(s) is/are your biggest musical influences?
SEE I’M AHEAD OF MYSELF..I ANSWERED THAT IN A WAY ALREADY.
I CANT REALLY SAY EMINEM OR JAY-Z OR 2PAC OR NAS LIKE OTHER UPCOMIN RAPPERS MIGHT SAY CUZ I BEEN DOIN THIS SHIT B4 I EVEN KNEW WHO THEY WERE. SO BRING IT BACK 2 THA GOLDEN AGE OF RAP..THA EARLY 80’S..THAT’Z MY INFLUENCE U CAN SAY.
6. Are there some specific emcees/ artists you’d like to collaborate with?
OF COURSE. I’D LIKE 2 WORK WITH LIL’ WAYNE, EMINEM, DIPSET, BUSTA, PAPOOSE, LOCAL NIGGAS. I MEAN I’D DO A JOINT WITH ALMOST ANYBODY LONG AZ THA VIBE IZ RIGHT YA KNOW. SPREAD THA HIP HOP LOVE…I’D EVEN DO A JOINT WITH SUM WACK NIGGAZ JUST 2 SHOW’EM HOW 2 DO IT! HAHA
7. What are your current musical projects?
RIGHT NOW I’M WORKIN ON A MIXTAPE & MY 1ST SOLO LP. FEW OTHER THINGZ IN THA WORX BUT THOSE MY MAJOR TARGETS RIGHT NOW
8. What inspires you most to write your lyrics?
THE BEAT. IF I LIKE THA BEAT IT SPEAKZ TO ME. I SIT WITH IT A MINUTE, LISTEN 2 WHUT IT’Z SAYIN 2 ME..& I SPEAK BACK 2 IT. & THA OUTCOME, A SONG I WROTE MYSELF. LIFE EXPERIENCES & SHIT I SEEN ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO MY WRITIN STYLE
9. How much is your music representative of Hartford, your hometown?
HMMM. I’D SAY 50% OF IT. SEEIN AZ I TALK ABOUT SHIT THAT GOES ON IN THA CITY WITHOUT NAMIN NAMEZ (I DON’T SNITCH OR DRY SNITCH EITHA). SO SUMTIME U GOTTA KNOW WHUT WENT ON 2 UNDERSTAND WHUT I’M TALKIN ABOUT. ALSO I DON’T GIVE U THA STORY EXACTLY HOW IT WENT DOWN, I MIGHT TWIST IT UP A BIT. MY MUZIK MORE REPRESENTZ ME & WHUT I’M ABOUT. SHIT I’M INTO.
10. How many underground albums do you have at your active?
I’VE BEEN ON 3 MIXTAPEZ 2 CURRENT DATE. WELL 4. 3 LOCALLY 1 SUMBODY FROM THA SOUTH WUZ FEELIN ME & WANTED A TRACK OF MINE 2 PUT ON HIZ MIXTAPE SO I’M ON HIZ SHIT. BIG SHOUT 2 TOMMY FABULOUS!

Rapper from Connecticut Terror interview…and a review of a hip hop classic most of you like: the Dr Dre 2001 album…so keep reading me, people…i promise you there are a lot of interesting articles to come:)