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Ladies and gentleman, the man you see in this photo is the best-selling artist of the 2000s, selling over 172 million albums globally. He’s secured a spot on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All-Time in which he was dubbed The King of Hip Hop. No, he is not a member of the Geek Squad in a Detroit Best Buy, despite what this photo is screaming at you.
The picture was taken on October 17, 1990, Marshall’s birthday. In the photo, he is wearing an Alf shirt that reads ‘Hey, Nice Underwear!” Eminem made reference to the shirt in his ‘We Made You’ track off his sixth studio album Relapse in 2009, an album which Shady has publicly condemned by saying he ‘wasn’t sharp enough’ in his creation of it. In the song, he says, “Lord, help us, he’s back in his pink Alf shirt looking like someone shrinked his outfit!”
This photo makes me happy on so many levels. It reminds me just how influenced I was by Eminem growing up. Sure I was a middle-class kid with loving parents and didn’t live in the wasteland that is Detroit, but I was empowered by a dude (ok, it helped that he was white, like me!) who was courageous enough to let us into his fucked up world while simultaneously addressing the ails of society. In a world of rappers, Eminem was an artist. This picture should also be a beacon of hope to everyone who doesn’t look the part of fit the mold. High school Eminem literally looks like he goes to anime conventions, and two decades later he’s an American icon. I mean Jesus, check out those mom’s spaghetti arms. I wouldn’t be surprised if no one showed up to his birthday party. You can be whoever the fuck you want to be, bro. Believe it it achieve it.
I typically don’t scroll through many internet comments, but the Reddit comments on this picture are absolute gold. For the first time in internet history, there is no dissension or name calling in the comment section. The verdict is out: EMINEM IS GOAT.
–_–Schwam–_–:
I’m 25 and my dad was a year older than Eminem in 1990. One became an international phenom etched in history and the other still can’t figure out how to use a computer if the monitor is turned off.
btr154:
He used to look more white.
Partykongen:
Exposure to sun has that effect on you.
unbannabledan:
He is still about 10 years away from getting anywhere worthwhile with rap. Thank the sweet lord that he didn’t give up and become a regular ass person.
The Slim Shady LP was released in 1999. This picture was taken in 1990.
QuietLittleVoice:
My favourite story of his is how, due to his upbringing, he never really had any money so he timidly asked his manager if he could buy a Rolex, his manager laughed at him and said he could do what he wanted, he’s Eminem, so he bought it and never wore it because he was scared of scuffing it.
roboticdemoncow:
Aww to be eighteen again. Cute face, good hair, raging drug addiction still in the fun phase.
StuffyUnicorn:
“I was poor white trash, no glitter, no glamour, but I’m not ashamed of anything.” – Eminem
TheJollyTrout:
…sources confirm that shortly after this picture was taken, the young rapper cleaned out his closet.
–_–Schwam–_–:
I’m 25 and my dad was a year older than Eminem in 1990. One became an international phenom etched in history and the other still can’t figure out how to use a computer if the monitor is turned off.
