Born Marshall Mathers in Missouri, more popularly known as Eminem, is celebrating his 45th birthday today on 17 Oct, 2017. He picked up rapping at the age of 14 while growing up in a lower class, predominately African-American neighborhood. After making a name for himself on the rap battle circuit, he signed with an independent label in 1996 and released his first album titled ‘Infinite’. And as they say, rest is history.
On the occasion of Rap God’s birthday, we talked to Nepali rapper – Girish Khatiwada aka Gorkhali G, who is credited with introducing this genre in Nepal; to know what significance Eminem holds in his personal and professional life. Here’s what he has to say about Em:
“Eminem changed HipHop by bringing stories of trailor-park and dis-associated white American family emotions – areas which were barely touched by other rappers. He has always been original regardless of the huge crowd of haters he earned in his early days for being unique. Marshall has grown significantly over the years – in regards to the technicalities, lyrics, content and delivery. He is a rapper who is incomparable to any other artists. Eminem, a living legend, Marshall – a father and Slim Shady – the hilarious story-teller – Happy Birthday to you.”
Talking about Eminem’s role in his life, he says, “Eminem has always inspired me to be original regardless of the confusing reactions I get from the audience – because they will eventually understand you as they grow with you. To grow/develop over the years as an artist, as a person and as a role model is what I’ve learned from Eminem.”
Here are five of Gorkhali G’s favorite Eminem songs:
#1. Lose Yourself
#2. Hailey’s Song
#3. Mocking Bird
#4. Renegade ft Jay Z
#5. The Real Slim Shady
Eminem’s songs touch us all in some way. Do let us know what role Eminem or any of his songs plays in your life, in the comment section below.
[This story was first published in 2015, and has been edited in 2017.]
