From Poverty to Stardom
August 28th, 2010 | 
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An urban phenomenon that changed the face of popular music, hip hop has certainly stood the test of time, gaining in popularity while other musical genres have faded away. Of all the emcees to play this special brand of urban music, perhaps the most popular was Eminem. In 1999, Eminem released the Slim Shady LP which automatically catapulted him from his status as a rap star to massive popularity in the mainstream pop world. This, in turn, caused even greater acceptance of hip hop as a musical genre that was here to stay.
Eminem’s lyrics, which cover topics such as poverty and single parenthood, reflect a rough upbringing. Before he had the world singing along to “My Name Is …,” he was Marshall Mathers, a poor kid growing up in Warren, Michigan. As a child, he and his mother moved constantly, staying at relatives’ homes in places as disparate as Warren and Kansas City, Missouri. As a result, Marshall found it difficult to make friends, and he retreated into his comic books and television. When Mathers was 12, his mother finally settled down on the east side of Detroit. There, he attended Lincoln Junior High School and Osbourne High School, hanging out with friends and listening to artists like LL Cool J and the 2 Live Crew. He competed against other rappers at his high school, and quickly gained a reputation as a gifted rhymer. But his penchant for skipping school led him to fail the ninth grade.
After dropping out of high school, Mathers held down several odd jobs, while continuing to work on his music. He rapped in several groups such as Basement Productions, the New Jacks, and Sole Intent, before deciding to go solo. In 1998, Eminem put out The Slim Shady EP, which contained the original version of “Just Don’t Give A …”. A copy of the album made its way into the hands of Dr. Dre, the legendary creator of The Chronic and N.W.A., and then president of Aftermath Entertainment. Dr. Dre quickly signed Eminem to his label. The Slim Shady LP debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Album Chart and Eminem became a national phenomena.
Today, the rapper retains his large fan base. They revel in all things Eminem, including his favorite drink (Mountain Dew), favorite food (Taco Bell), favorite actor (Denzel Washington) and favorite comic (Chris Rock). Eminem voted for the first time in the 2004 election. He never indicated for whom, but we suspect it wasn’t for a candidate, but for the hip hop music he loved.
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Posted in kansas city missouri
"They never give any credit to their opponents and always seem to have an excuse at the ready for ever defeat."
Yeah, that’s true. Whenever I watch their interviews, that’s pretty much it. I like James Blake, too. It feels nice using an Aerogel 200 like him even if his might be a pj. =)
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Sorry, but I’m a baritone…and you’re preaching to the "choir".
(i.e. I agree with you 100%!)
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yeah,it’s pretty ridiculous. i don’t care much for serena either. her attitude,her arrogance and her lack of grace is incredibly unsavoury. but i don’t think that way of venus though. venus is actually alot more gracious,win or lose,and she often talks of other players in respectable manner. she and venus are actually polar opposites in more ways than one,and that’s one aspect that i feel sets them apart.
but it’s sad-people have to make a big issue over something that’s really a non-issue. it’s the ego,i believe. she and her father are often the one’s that tend to insinuate that. so i don’t like her,so what? she’s just one person…..she’s just one player….
*smartkid,what does kim retiring in that manner have to do with disgusting sportsmanship? so are you saying she should have been ostracised in the same way as the williams sisters. i don’t understand that one. but the rest of your points are taken and are correct. personally,i’ve been just as outspoken about justine as i have toward serena’s antics. and there have been many posts made about that on here.
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Somewhere you are looking in the past. The whole year both Venus and Serena have changed their attitude (which did not bother me the least) and have given you people what you want. Serena completely believes that she can win any match and that is her right. And lately, she has been showing that.
Don’t you tell your children they are able to do anything and can be anything they wish in America? Didn’t your parents tell you that in America, if you applied yourself, you could become the best ball player or the president of the USA?
Stop trying to pile the sins of the father on their heads. Those girls are strong enough (mind wise and money wise) to not give a yippee ya yea what YOU think regarding their attitude.
And whether it is a cop-out or not, while you are here writing about them, they are still doing whatever they choose.
And who cares whether you are a racist or not. Just keep it in your back pocket or your trailer park.
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I agree. They are by far, the most classless broads in the sport. They need to take a course in humility and good sportsmanship. I hate watching them play, and I most certainly hate when they beat Maria. They have no respect for their opponent or the game of tennis.
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No hating the Williams based on their attitudes is not racism. However, I must say Venus has never been as arrogant as Serena.
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I’m not a fan of the Williams sisters, especially Serena, and I am not a racist. I actually like Venus somewhat, but I wouldn’t call myself a fan of hers. I prefer Maria, Jelena, Amelie, and I was also a fan of Zina Garrison. I think people who play the racism card when it comes to criticizing the Williams sisters are idiots. That said, I do think the Indian Wells crowd took it way too far booing Serena back in that infamous 2001 final against Clijsters, and I don’t blame the Williams sisters for never wanting to play there again. I would never go back there if I were them. Racist or not, that was just wrong of the crowd.
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I believe the ‘girls’ were ‘polluted’ by their Father. For he has a notorious reputation for being rude & unsportsmen like.
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It doesn’t make you racist. I still love everything about Serena warts and all !!!!!!!
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Your are not alone my friend. The Williams sisters are the worst sports in the game of tennis. And like you said, the racism thing isn’t even a factor! There are plenty of other players of other race who are brilliant and very gracious champions. The Williams’ never credit their opponents for their losses, it’s always " i just wasn’t at my best today, and I was just off my game. " Never that the other player was just too good for them. They also have some of the worst on-court manners of anyone. They don’t need to be so overbearing on the court. I just simply don’t care for the Williams’ sisters, and until they can change the way they treat other players, who are much more dedicated to the WTA Tour, they shouldn’t be celebrated as much as they are.
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i think its predomiantly the willam sisters father who tarnished there reps, and give people alot of stigma about the willam sisters because of him..
but i do think serena is arrogaunt, rarely gracious in defeat, and makes excuses to the nines….
Venus on the other hand is a notch below her sister in the arrogance department and is a bit more humble
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I agree with you. Everytime I tell people I don’t like the attitudes of Venus and Serena, they call me a racist. And here this. I’m not even white.
People are just ignorant and superficial in their thinking. They feel if you don’t like every black person alive, then you’re a racist. Ignore them. They’re idiots.
*EDIT*
Smartkid makes a nice combination of good points and ridiculous points. The fact is that some people only follow tennis today because of Venus and Serena. These same people also follow golf only because of Tiger. Racism has actually worked in their favor, not against them.
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I completely disagree. There is such a double standard in tennis and people refuse to acknowledge it. How come people question the Williams commitment and not other players. Look at Kim Clijsters. She retired at the age of 25 because she couldn’t take the injuries and she wanted to start a family. How about Justine? Well she quit during the Australian Open for a stomach virus, and by the way she was losing. That was pretty classless denying Mauresmo the opportunity to actually win the match and not getting the trophy handed to her by default. Then there is Hingis. Lovely player, who knows the game inside out. What did she do? Oh yea tested positive for cocaine. She said she didn’t do it but immediately retiring after that doesn’t say much, now does it? My point none of this is really paid attention to but the Williams not giving credit to opponents and everyone calls for their execution. Because of Venus Williams, and her eloquent statements the women now receive equal pay at all the grandslams, but you forgot about that, didn’t you? There is racism out there and the fact that people pay attention to comments said from the Williams sisters out of anger from losing and not on their game and the good they have done for tennis is proof.
*The reason I bring up Kim Clijsters retiring is because the Williams are ALWAYS being questioned on their commitment to the game. Yet Kim retires so young and no one says nothing about her commitment to the game. How commited was she to quit tennis to start a family at 25 and becuz she is sick of getting injured. The Williams sisters are always getting injured and they didn’t quit. Davenport had a baby and she still playing tennis, so what is Kim’s excuse?She just didn’t want to play tennis anymore, which is cool, but no one question her commitment like they did the Williams sisters and thats not fair
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i agree with this(more so with serena)but it’s not only the williams sisters,you see it with obama, poeple saying if you arent voting for obama your rascist.it’s pretty pathetic.
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Funny how people keep referring to Blake as black when his white mom is always at his matches. I’m not saying he’s white, but he’s not black either. He’s a bi-racial man, he and his bro, like myself and they are mulattoes.
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Anti-Williams sisters=racism. Really?
Is it just me or does anyone else get sick and tired of the notion that being against the Williams sisters makes you a racist? I say this is BS. The story of two sisters rising from poverty to tennis stardom should be a wonderful story… but their arrogance and mean spirit ruin it. I am a white male and have nothing but respect for Arthur Ashe, Althea Gibson, Chanda Rubin, Mal Washington, and James Blake. All of these are great athletes who deserve the highest of respect. They are all champions of the highest order and never resort to unsportsman-like conduct. But, to me, the Williams sisters are tacky and deeply unsporting. They never give any credit to their opponents and always seem to have an excuse at the ready for ever defeat. I’d like to see them compete in Gibson’s day, when being black truly was a impediment. Or how about dealing with James Blake’s seemingly endless catalog of bad luck? I say, it’s a cop-out, and they need to develop some class to go along with their trophies
If anyone is dumb enough to think I am a racist, please refer to my question regarding James Blake. Still not convinced? Please consider yourself a moron.
Wow! I know it may sound bad, but i am very pleasantly surprised that the majority of answers to this question are intelligent and well though out. I was really kind of resigned to the fact that all I would get was angry, resentful responses which, if you actually take the time to read my question in full, is not what it should warrant. Thankfully most of you get what I’m saying but, incase you don’t, let me explain. I have nothing but respect for the tennis talents of the sisters and can admire their rise from poverty. It is a great story BUT I do not respect their arrogant and unpleasant demeanors (especially that of Serena). As far as the fact that their race is not relevant, thjat is my point exactly. We should be free to like and dislike whoever we please… without being regarded as being prejudiced. End of story. Again, so many good answers that picking a "best answer" will be tough.
Wow! I know it may sound bad, but i am very pleasantly surprised that the majority of answers to this question are intelligent and well thought out. I was really kind of resigned to the fact that all I would get was angry, resentful responses which, if you actually take the time to read my question in full, is not what it should warrant. Thankfully most of you get what I’m saying but, incase you don’t, let me explain. I have nothing but respect for the tennis talents of the sisters and can admire their rise from poverty. It is a great story BUT I do not respect their arrogant and unpleasant demeanors (especially that of Serena). As far as the fact that their race is not relevant, that is my point exactly. We should be free to like and dislike whoever we please… without being regarded as being prejudiced. End of story. Again, so many good answers that picking a "best answer" will be tough.