SliK wrote:lololol
Middle America could relate to him because of his EXPERIENCE (which was different to all the other rappers in hip-hop at the time, because of his skin) so they all bought his music.
It's really that simple.
Nah it ain't that simple.
The south is the hugest region in America - why didn't a gigantic amount of people relate to Bubba?
Because he's not as original or brilliant, that's why.
If Eminem wasn't genius in his approach - he would not have had that effect. It's not because he's white and his white experience - it's because he was brilliant with words and melody - because his lyrics were cutting-edge, hilarious social-commentary, and very provocative. And that resonates with rebellious youth.
Eminem connected with a rebellious youth; and there are far more white people in the Western World than black... so go figure most of those sales would come from white youth - just like they fucking did for 2Pac. The youth are identifying with rebellion and irony - but most of all the way he puts his words and songs together is paramount and without that: he wouldn't sell fuck all, just like other white rappers haven't.
And actually go check some of Em's early concerts - there are PLENTY of black youth in that audience - loving every fucking word. Because it's not about black or white: it's about flow, melody and ideas, full stop.
He made people laugh, he shocked people, he provoked people - provocation is his biggest tool to how he sold what he did and it's amazing and amazingly stupid people don't see that and keep obsessing about his race; there's been a plethora of great white rappers who can't crack the media. Eminem combined political provocation and an amazing way with words - with an inherent musical understanding and brilliant, catchy music.
<< That shit is what sells; provocation sells, intrigue sells, making people laugh sells, making people shocked or in awe of skill or ideas sells... ''the white experience'' or skin colour and stupid shit nobody on Earth besides a handful of racists give two shits about or identify with, and especially not rebellious youth who bought all the music - that shit - does not sell.
Is Em rapping about ''the white experience'' now? No. If you look at shit like ''Love the Way You Lie''... why the fuck do you think that is selling and so huge? Because he's white? Don't you think that's worn off by now?... no it's because he is intensely describing something which is dramatic and exciting, he is being different in approach, he has a frantic flow - all of this combined with MELODY (Catchy as fuck hook and beat, and flow) and BOOM you have fucking sales. Not the white experience, not skin, not background, not people relating. Do you really think the new youth buying Recovery relate to intense domestic violence orientated relationships?
As they fucking drink a Dr. Pepper and go back home for a 4th wank... fuck no.
But they love the shit as do people of all ages and races - because of the musical and conceptual aspects. Good ideas and bizarre skill combined with really fucking catchy melody is the key. Not his skin or relatability.
Also: what fucking experience - stress? Eminem's themes are broad, and his life is not a white life... nothing he says is determined to his skin... what the fuck does single parenthood and poverty, and bullying have to do with a ''white experience''... so the rich white kids related to that did they? Or what about the youth around the world, from all sorts of backgrounds and experiences. It ain't his fucking life, it's how he's putting together music and ideas which is selling to this day. Who's relating to ''Berzerk''? It's a big single because it's catchy, simple as that.
