Eminem (Marshall Mathers III)

Young Eminem. Source: myicore.com (http://www.myicore.com/post_pics/celebs/young_eminem.jpg)

To me, a hero is someone who can start out with nothing but make something amazing out of their situation. Heroes are definitely people who have the ability to inspire others around them, maybe without even knowing it. My hero is Marshall Mathers III, otherwise known by his stage name Eminem. If you think Eminem doesn’t have any of those traits, you might be surprised to know that he does. Marshall Bruce Mathers III was born into a poor, working-class family on October 17th 1972, in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A. His mother, Debbie Briggs-Mathers, was an alcoholic and his father, Marshall Mathers ll, left his family shortly after Eminem was born, because of their poverty, and never returned. “My father? I never knew him. Never even seen a picture of him” –Eminem, Marshall grew up knowing that his father had abandoned his mother and him when he was just a baby. He and his mother were constantly moving houses and Marshall always had to switch schools, and was constantly bullied. They were finally able to settle in Detroit when Marshall was 12 years old, but he had already been brought up in communities where drugs, gang violence and murder were common. After failing 9th grade, 3 years in a row, Marshall dropped out of school and tried to pursue his dream since he was 4 years old: Rapping.

When Marshall started his musical career, he was determined. Even when his own family (now ex-wife Kim Scott and daughter Hailie Jade Scott) was struggling with poverty, Marshall tried his hardest to find a way out of it. He started hearing about Hip Hops, hard to please underground. In 1997, he participated in ‘1997 Rap Olympics’, he tried to win 1st place for $1,500, which he desperately needed. However, he placed second. Although he was very talented, people would always reject him because of his race. However, this didn’t stop Marshall. Determined to prove everyone wrong, he forced himself to go on radio shows and participate in freestyle battles. Still, no one took him seriously because he was white and people refused to believe that he could rap.

Eminem Singing. Source: whicdn.com (http://data.whicdn.com/images/12783306/large_singing_eminem_4497_large.jpeg)

Eminem showed great perseverance through adversity. Among being the first white rapper, he was able to prove that hip hop was colorblind and helped pave the way for several hip hop artists today. “It’s funny how all the magazines can dwell on my race, but they could never say that my [music] is [respectable].” –Although Eminem has made it this far, he still faces discrimination and more focus on his race than his talent, today. However, those differences were able to provide inspiration and the numerous successful achievements that followed. However, there’s always a downside to the best of things.

Around 2005, Marshall struggled with substance and alcohol abuse. For a few years it took great willpower and strength to fight off his addictions, but he was able to do it. He stayed true to himself and his music, he wanted to show others that there was still hope left in the world. Rap is his way of giving others strength and hope to get through another day, he knew he had to get better for everyone around him.

Although Eminem has faced many struggles of his own, he still finds the time to do extensive charity work. He makes frequent contributions to various charities via the Eight Mile Association, nine million.org and his own organization known as Marshall Mathers Foundation, all of which benefit the education of at risk youth. The Marshall Mathers Foundation has donated over $60,000 to people in need and has also given financial support to various organizations. Eminem, himself, has been donating large chunks of his fortune to help the disadvantaged in his home city of Detroit. People not only admire him from a worldwide view, but from a personal standpoint, as well.

From my own point of view, Eminem isn’t only a hero because of everything that he has overcome, what he has done or what he is currently doing. For me, if I’m ever feeling upset or need reassurance, I can count on listening to his lyrics and being reminded that there are other people out there who have gone through worse situations than me. His music motivates me and gives me hope that everything will be fine. Other people who listen to his lyrics feel the same way, as well. His impact on my life and the lives of others has changed the way we view hip hop. His music has had a positive impact on my life.

Elton John and Eminem. Source: wordpress.com (http://bradcorban.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/elton-john-and-eminem.jpg)

Eminem started out with nothing in his life, but was able to make something amazing out of it. Because of that, he is able to inspire people around the world, as well as myself. He is determined, he never gave up on hope and he had the strength to become who he is today. If I reflected my own humanity on to Eminem’s, I’m not sure that I could overcome so much and still give back and inspire people to this very day. Everything that he was able to overcome, the things he was able to produce, his own traits and everything he is doing now is why Eminem is definitely a true hero.