Eminem

Brendan_linden (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons

Eminem is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and record executive from Detroit. Born Marshall Bruce Mathers III in 1972, he rose to prominence in the 1990s and 2000s as a central figure in hip-hop. Recognized for his technical rap ability and lyrical approach that incorporates social commentary and political critique, Eminem played a significant role in bringing hip-hop to mainstream audiences in the Midwest and helped establish acceptance of white artists within the genre. His provocative work during the late 1990s and early 2000s generated considerable controversy, yet he became an influential voice articulating the experiences and frustrations of working-class America.