walking upstream…
Eminem
sourcesWikipedia · Rolling Stone
Marshall Mathers emerged from Detroit's battle-rap circuit in the late 1990s as Eminem, a technically dazzling, confessional, and deliberately provocative MC whose internal rhyme schemes and rapid-fire multisyllabic flow reset the bar for pop rap. Discovered and produced by Dr. Dre, he became the best-selling hip-hop artist of his era while turning his own dysfunction, fame, and anger into chart-topping concept albums. His cadence and construction were built directly on the old-school rap records he wore out as a kid in the 1980s.
the sound in question
2002
Lose YourselfEminem
walk the tributaries ↓
Beastie Boys1990s · Hip-hop / Alternative hip-hop / Hardcore punk
Eminem has cited the Beastie Boys, alongside LL Cool J, as one of the acts that hooked him on hip-hop, and his goofy, referential, old-school-quoting side — most explicit on 'Berzerk' — nods directly to the trio's sample-and-shout party-rap era.
listen: upstream & here
1986
(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)Beastie Boys
2013
BerzerkEminem
listen forCompare the Beastie Boys' '(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)' with Eminem's 'Berzerk' — both are big, deliberately dumb party anthems built from a hard drum break and a chanted, gang-vocal hook.
LL Cool J1980s · Hip-hop / Old-school hip-hop
Eminem has said LL Cool J's records were part of what got him into rap as a kid, and LL's booming, declarative delivery is audible in the way Eminem punches individual syllables for emphasis rather than just riding the beat.
listen: upstream & here
1985
Rock the BellsLL Cool J
2000
The Real Slim ShadyEminem
listen forPlay LL Cool J's 'Rock the Bells' next to Eminem's 'The Real Slim Shady' — both push a big, theatrical, almost-shouted hook-rap delivery that dares you to look away.
Run-D.M.C.1980s · Hip-hop / Old-school hip-hop
Eminem named Run-D.M.C. among the groups whose records first pulled him into rap, and the group's confrontational, rock-crossed-with-rap swagger set a template Eminem leaned on whenever he pushed a rap verse into a hard-rock frame.
listen: upstream & here
1985
King of RockRun-D.M.C.
2002
Without MeEminem
listen forSet Run-D.M.C.'s 'King of Rock' against Eminem's 'Without Me' — both ride a stomping rock riff underneath boastful, taunting rap vocals, treating the guitar as just another part of the rhythm section.