Eminem is a legendary and oft-controversial hip hop artist, whose career has skyrocketed him to global superstardom in the 21st century. Behind the Lyrics, a documentary produced by Shady Records and Complex Media, delves into Eminem’s life story and his rise from poverty to fame.
The film starts with an exploration of Eminem’s early days as Marshall Bruce Mathers III, growing up without a father and moving from town to town with his mother until they wound up in Detroit. It was there he discovered hip hop music being made by artists such as The Beastie Boys and 2 Live Crew that inspired him to start writing lyrics at just 14 years old.
Eminem draws from the tragedies of his own life including the death of his beloved uncle, difficult family life and abandonment of his father for much of his childhood. His words are often filled with personal reflection and expression in order to share his struggles to become who he is today.
Behind the Lyrics also shines a light on Eminem’s professional successes over the past two decades, revealing how he became mentored under Dr. Dre, collaborated with other artists that have achieved timeless legendary status and earned over 100 million dollars in record sales throughout his career. Controversy has dogged him along this journey, including accusations of homophobia and misogyny but these haven’t stopped him from becoming one of the most influential figures in modern hip hop culture.
This documentary offers an affectionate look at one of modern music’s most complex characters – one whose artistic expression has shaped popular culture since the turn of the century. If you’re interested in learning more about Eminem’s fascinating story then be sure to check out Behind The Lyrics on Shady Records YouTube channel for an intimate look at this extraordinary artist’s inspirational journey from poverty to global superstardom.
