movies/tv Anyone feel that Eminem is overrated?

[Xylosian 140]

Before I begin let me just say that there is nothing wrong with Eminem. I have major respect for him and his music, I completely understand what hardships he has faced in his past and uses rap to reflect on his past life and also as an outlet. All the props to him for becoming successful, he's earned it and damn well deserves it. Hell my favorite album by him is The Eminem Show. But for me I just feel he's a bit overrated, it seems like every little white kid born after the year 2000 thinks Eminem is the greatest rapper in the world. That's a pretty bold claim and I personally don't believe it. Compared to other rappers like; 2Pac, Eazy-E, Warren G, Biggie Smalls, Nate Dogg, Dr. Dre, Ant Banks, Westside Connection, Ice Cube, and even Ice-T. I just believe he pales in comparison to other rappers of this century. Tell me what you guys think, all criticism and opinions are welcome (just make sure they're constructive).

Edited February 13, 2016 by SuperXylosian

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,533]

While rap is not a genre I like, I will say that Eminem is one of the few that I can tolerate, mainly because he doesn't seem to butcher the English language while doing so. Even while going fast he seems to try to keep the pronunciation mostly accurate. For that, I think he is one of the better ones. 

[Hovershy 3,814]

I'm not really a big fan of rap, unless it's combined with rock, but I think Eminem is pretty good.

 

Is he overrated? Maybe a little. But I think he deserves the credit he gets. But I don't really know much about other rappers.

 

I like bands that utilize rap though such as 311, Rage Against The Machine, and Cypress Hill.

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

His lines are very easy to sympathize with. Most of his songs are also really fun and easy to listen to, which is quite important if you're more of a casual listener.

 

He has a rare mix of charisma and lyrical skill that you don't really see in any of those rappers you mentioned, especially in the case of Ice Cube and those West Coast guys who are pretty gruff, and the content of their songs are more centered on a select few issues. Not that there's anything inherently flawed with that though.

 

Eminem has had the privilege of being able to produce more 'diverse' songs, however. It all sounds different from the 90's and the works. That is just an opportunity that comes with working in the 21st century, yet he was still successful before any of that happened. He knows what the market demands and knows how to win over crowds. When you take that into consideration, it's not very fair to say he's overrated.

 

Can some of his success be attributed to great fortune (i.e, skin colour, and how he'd be viewed as a result from the content of his songs) though? Yes, and he's even admitted that a few times. But again, it's not fair to hold onto a wedge as small as that because as far as I'm concerned, he's played his cards right and made the most of his musical career like how any other musician would have tried to.

[Trixie Heartstrings 434]

Eminem was the rapper that got me into rap music. I own 2 of his albums (Slim Shady LP and Marshall Mathers LP), my personal favorite Eminem album is the Marshall Mathers LP, and it's one of my favorite albums. That being said, I do see where you're coming from. Eminem isn't the only rapper I listen to. Rappers I listen to are 2Pac, Ice Cube, Dr Dre, N.W.A., Nas, Outkast, Public Enemy, and Wu-Tang Clan, and these aren't the only ones I listen to either. There are people who think that Eminem is flawless, and make a big deal whenever anyone talks about their least favorite Eminem songs. Even when it's people who are fans of Eminem talking about their least favorite Eminem songs (Rap Critic is an example of this). The song Fack seems the be the only song no one will defend (I do agree that it's his worst song), even though there are plenty of Eminem fans that think he had some albums that were lackluster (usually Encore and/or Relapse).

Edited March 10, 2016 by Trixie Heartstrings

[Chara 1,565]

Eminem is overrated in certain areas. His music in my opinion is very good and respectable, but when people treat him like he is the best is where I cross the line. 

[Jokuc 8,173]

Well, I can't really say whether he is overrated or not because I don't listen to enough rap to compare. I like most of Eminem's songs and there are a couple of other rap songs I like as well but overall I'm not really that into rap. I'm not really sure what makes me like him, I do like the text in his songs but I liked him when I was younger as well and then I didn't even understand all of what he said.. I think it has something to do with his songs being catchy to me *shrug*

[Luigi 7,869]

Naw. Just because he's white doesn't make him a bad rapper. He's pretty good. It's Lil Wayne you want to be throwing vegetables at.

[ponylaces 1,870]

Naw. Just because he's white doesn't make him a bad rapper. He's pretty good. It's Lil Wayne you want to be throwing vegetables at.

His race is irrelevant. Nobody even mentioned it. The OP didn't say he was a bad rapper either, just a tiny bit overrated. I think Eminem is good and his songs have great messages to them, but I prefer listening to other rappers for some variety.

 

I do agree with the Lil Wayne comment though. xP

[FlootahBabby 265]

I'm not really a big fan of rap, unless it's combined with rock,

 

https://www.youtube.com/user/ChainedOwlREMIX/videos?&ab_channel=ChainedOwlREMIX

This guy is amazing. It's more brutal rock but I just wish regular rap beats were like these remixes.

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,302]

That Eminem spaghetti rap is pretty amazing.

 

I don't care for rap, and I can't say that I really care for Eminem.  When he first started out, it seemed as though he had a sense of humor that found its way directly into his music.  However, as time went on, he seemed to become increasingly serious and angry.  I just thought he might've gone a different way.  Admittedly, I don't know where he is now, lyrically and creatively, but I haven't any strong interest in finding out.

 

So, to the topic question: Maybe?

[Flamestreak1990 1,172]

Eminem is one of my favorite's mostly because I like that he raps about more personal topic's instead of rapping about just drugs, sex , and money (like a lot of new "rappers" do nowadays). Rap/hip hop as a whole is about (at least I think) experiences and having a voice, a bit corny but still.

While rap is not a genre I like, I will say that Eminem is one of the few that I can tolerate, mainly because he doesn't seem to butcher the English language while doing so. 

 

Not trying to be mean or anything but, I hate it when people say this. I mean, I can name....at least 25 to 30 rappers off the top of my head that are easy to understand while rapping .

Edited March 10, 2016 by The Real 1990

[CandyStrike 603]

I hate Eminem.  His lyrics are full of sexism and homophobia and other garbage.

[Denim&Venöm 19,031]

Not just him. I think the genre as a whole is overrated. Rap on it's own feels incomplete. Like every rap song is just an accapella performance, even with the beat & the synths.  To me, it's a style of singing and vocalizing, but it's not worthy of a genre. 

 

And the lyrics fail to connect with me. Every rapper talks about their harsh upbringing, the challenges they faced, life in the ghetto and all that. But to me it sounds like whining and posturing. The emotion doesn't come across. The darkness they faced, their pain and suffering, gets left out. It's like they're retelling the story, but withholding the experiences that came with it.  I can't empathize with the way it's brought across.  

[Flamestreak1990 1,172]

I hate Eminem.  His lyrics are full of sexism and homophobia and other garbage.

*sigh* Another SJW

 

 

 

 

 

"Sexism and homophobia"

 

Not just him. I think the genre as a whole is overrated. Rap on it's own feels incomplete. Like every rap song is just an accapella performance, even with the beat & the synths.  To me, it's a style of singing and vocalizing, but it's not worthy of a genre. 

 

And the lyrics fail to connect with me. Every rapper talks about their harsh upbringing, the challenges they faced, life in the ghetto and all that. But to me it sounds like whining and posturing. The emotion doesn't come across. The darkness they faced, their pain and suffering, gets left out. It's like they're retelling the story, but withholding the experiences that came with it.  I can't empathize with the way it's brought across.  

Just because you don't experience something doesn't mean it doesn't exist in other areas, Keeping a open mind is key.

 

Also:

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jc9VeMC6rg

 

 

 "It's like they're retelling the story, but withholding the experiences that came with it."

 

And sorry if I'm being harsh, I'm really passionate about rap.

Edited March 10, 2016 by The Real 1990

[Flutter's lover <3 8,205]

I don't think he's really overrated..Eminem is really the only rapper I can handle listening to. He raps about real stuff, not your typical "I like cocaine and cars, or rapping about some chicks butt," like what I've heard from most others.

[Flamestreak1990 1,172]

I don't think he's really overrated..Eminem is really the only rapper I can handle listening to. He raps about real stuff, not your typical "I like cocaine and cars, or rapping about some chicks butt," like what I've heard from most others.

Yeah, sadly a lot of new rap is like that. But hey there are still some good ones out right now

Edited March 10, 2016 by The Real 1990

[Rawzy 1,302]

pop/rap/hip hop music is overrated in general

[Celestial Sloth 369]

I love Em. Lyrical content, mainly. I'd say race has a huge impact on his popularity - there's a lot of white kids out there that want a rebel to stand behind. And I think people stick to their own colour, for the most part. Either way, if you grow up with him, he's probably gonna be your favourite.

[Member Berry 1,217]

I'm not a massive fan of Eminem but he's one of the few rappers I quite like. I find him amusing and like Kyoshi says, he doesn't butcher the English language.

 

By the way, I'm not saying "all rap is terrible except for Eminem!!!!11" It's just not my favourite genre. There's good rap and bad rap, like all genres.

 

Just remembered that I quite liked Plan B. Plan B is not pro-violence btw
 

http://www.nme.com/news/plan-b/63638

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8GvLKTsTuI

Edited March 10, 2016 by Conspiracy.

[CandyStrike 603]

*sigh* Another SJW

 

 

Oh, you're one of those people.  Acting like being interested in social justice is a bad thing.

 

Nice how you don't link to any of the actual offensive material like all of these quotes all from different songs.

 

“Don’t you get it b*tch, no one can hear you?/Now shut the f*ck up and get what’s comin to you/You were supposed to love me {*Kim choking*}/NOW BLEED! BITCH BLEED! BLEED! BITCH BLEED! BLEED!” -Kim

 

“But I may fight for gay rights, especially if that d*ke is more of a knockout than Janay Rice/Play nice? B*tch I’ll punch Lana Del Rey right in the face twice, like Ray Rice in broad daylight in the plain sight of the elevator surveillance/’Til her head is banging on the railing, then celebrate with the Ravens.” -Shady CXVPHER

 

“Twisted-ass mind, got a pretzel for a brain/an eraser for a head, f*cking pencil for a frame/you don’t like it then peel off b*tch/every last woman on Earth I’ll kill off.” -Roman's Revenge

 

“Slut, you think I won’t choke no whore/’Til the vocal cords don’t work in her throat no more?!/Shut up slut, you’re causin’ too much chaos.” -Kill You

 

“I’m tired of the games, I just want her back/I know I’m a liar/If she ever tries to f*ckin’ leave again, I’ma tie her to the bed and set this house on fire.” -Love the Way You Lie

[Flamestreak1990 1,172]

Oh, you're one of those people.  Acting like being interested in social justice is a bad thing.

 

Nice how you don't link to any of the actual offensive material like all of these quotes all from different songs.

 

“Don’t you get it b*tch, no one can hear you?/Now shut the f*ck up and get what’s comin to you/You were supposed to love me {*Kim choking*}/NOW BLEED! BITCH BLEED! BLEED! BITCH BLEED! BLEED!” -Kim

 

“But I may fight for gay rights, especially if that d*ke is more of a knockout than Janay Rice/Play nice? B*tch I’ll punch Lana Del Rey right in the face twice, like Ray Rice in broad daylight in the plain sight of the elevator surveillance/’Til her head is banging on the railing, then celebrate with the Ravens.” -Shady CXVPHER

 

“Twisted-ass mind, got a pretzel for a brain/an eraser for a head, f*cking pencil for a frame/you don’t like it then peel off b*tch/every last woman on Earth I’ll kill off.” -Roman's Revenge

 

“Slut, you think I won’t choke no whore/’Til the vocal cords don’t work in her throat no more?!/Shut up slut, you’re causin’ too much chaos.” -Kill You

 

“I’m tired of the games, I just want her back/I know I’m a liar/If she ever tries to f*ckin’ leave again, I’ma tie her to the bed and set this house on fire.” -Love the Way You Lie

*sigh*

Look I'm sorry for being being rude earlier, as I said I'm very passion about rap. So I take back the SJW thing, Also I never said there wasn't anything wrong with his lyrics or that he doesn't occasionally have homophobic lyrics. 

 

but I still think you're being unfair,

 

The Eminem songs that have positive and thought provoking lyrics far surpass the amount of songs about violence and murder, Saying that ALL his music misogyny and homophobia just undercuts all the good he HAS done and will continue to do. 

 

That being said I wish to apologize about my behavior early and I hope that we can talk about this in a calm manner.

[AtomicStone 724]

Not a fan of him myself, but I've never been a big fan of rap in general really. But in terms of the question? No, I don't think that he is overrated. It's clear to see why he is a big deal.. He is unique from the rest.

[Not_active 732]

Kind of, because a lot of people seem to act like Eminem is the only rapper who's a lyrical genius. I think unfortunately this is somewhat due to people giving him a chance just because he's white.

 

Personally I don't like how he uses his voice, and think the beats he uses are boring. So I prefer rappers like Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole over him for the lyrics. Lyrics isn't the most important quality in music though.

Edited March 11, 2016 by Ferg

[Windseeker 546]

Ehhhh, I used to, six years ago when my school seemingly succumbed to his musical influence. Today, I don't hear much of him.