An Open Letter to Eminem From A Detroiter

[Mikey1990]

Thanks, Marshall. It was 3-13-2003 that I attended a private party celebrating the release of 8 Mile on DVD. As the only journalist present who was actually in the film, I soon went from interviewer to interviewee. I remember that night like it was yesterday, Hollywood came to Detroit, again, and we felt invincible. That was a way you had. As a multi-platinum artist, cultural icon, and die-hard Detroiter, you have frequently contributed to the city of Detroit. And we thank you for it.

When I saw your recent Super Bowl commercial, I felt a swell of pride. As a Detroit expatriate now living in Atlanta, I almost dragged out my suitcase and started to pack to move home. But then, I realized, if an Eminem movie couldn’t change Detroit, an Eminem commercial won’t either. And that’s ok.

You have always been that way. You kicked down doors of opportunity, and once inside, you opened windows too. You brought your big Jay-Z/Eminem shows to Detroit, you end every tour in Detroit, you shot a movie in Detroit. You support a city that supported you; in fact, it shaped you, made you. So, it is befitting for you to show that love in return.

Then I saw your “Open Letter to Detroit.”

My first thought when I saw the video was a bland, “Hmm. That’s nice.” I couldn’t help but wonder, what is this about? Where is it coming from so suddenly? The “Great Recession” isn’t new to Detroit. There hasn’t been a major catastrophe and in fact, the city is in an upswing.

The Stevie Wonder lyric, “Where were you when I needed you…” began to play in my head.

I had to ask around, is there something wrong with me because I am not really feeling this? Is it just because I don’t live in Detroit anymore? I’ve only been gone two years. Or is it because I have been in and around Detroit hip-hop for over a decade, I knew and loved Dilla, I knew and loved Proof, I knew and loved Baatin. I can’t help but remember asking your management about helping get a mural on the side of St. Andrews, a legendary venue that you once tried to buy, and being rejected. I can’t help to remember Obie Trice’s failed time at Shady, outshined by 50. I can’t help but think of all of the Detroit artists who needed your support and never got it, or at least didn’t get enough of it. I can’t help but have my south of 8 Mile mentality that says that most white people don’t do anything without getting paid for it in some way.

But, I do remember sitting in that church during Proof’s funeral and watching you sob uncontrollable tears and thinking that you just lost your best friend. We all just lost Detroit’s best friend.

It’s taken you five years to get healthy. To heal your heart, mind, body, and spirit and return to the spotlight, and dominate all over again. It is that heart that I admire. It’s that Marshall that I have love for like a friend.

I encourage you Marshall, to not just make songs, 9 million dollar commercials, or write love letters. I encourage you to spend money in and on Detroit. I encourage The Marshall Mathers Foundation to support arts programs in Detroit public schools. I encourage you to buy beats from local producers, do a mixtape supporting local artists, pay off J. Dilla’s medical bills, put some kids through college, support the Detroit Entertainment Commission, and get that mural done, let your legacy be not just your music, but your service to the city we all love so much. Because, it’s still us versus the free world.

I was always taught that love is a verb. It is an action. I thank you, Marshall, for the great memories and inspiration. I appreciate what you are doing now and I look forward to seeing you do even more. Detroit, What?!

Biba Adams is a Detroit native, a graduate of Marygrove College, she is a Sr. Contributing Writer to Allhiphop.com. Ms. Adams currently resides in Atlanta, GA where she is a Business Communications Instructor for Year Up, Inc, a non-profit organization serving talented urban youth; she is also working on a memoir about her hometown.

http://allhiphop.com/stories/editorial/ ... 10620.aspx

[Devil'sAdvocate]

i hope Em or paul respond in some way.

[VenomBlackViper]

You know i've been wondering where all this Detroit love suddenly came from too, but I think that he's just finally at a point in his career where shit like this matters to him and he starts to remember where he came from and give back to his city. Ever since he first came out he was always heavy into something whether it was being on tour, court cases, being with his daughter, meeting deadlines for albums & 8 Mile, doing drugs, getting clean and all that other shit. He's always had love for Detroit though he repped it from the beginning shouting it out in songs, having people at his concerts chant it out no matter where he was. I think now he's just showing it more.

[Sam.]

i hope Em or paul respond in some way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSLZFdqwh7E

[KieranLewisEM]

What ? Is em expected to single handedly carry Detroit on his soldiers and respond to anyone or anything.Life aint like that.He does a lot for Detroit but expecting him to do and say everything is absurd.The guy needs to take in what he has done for the people and Detroit and respect it

[NicoleEM]

What ? Is em expected to single handedly carry Detroit on his soldiers and respond to anyone or anything.Life aint like that.He does a lot for Detroit but expecting him to do and say everything is absurd.The guy needs to take in what he has done for the people and Detroit and respect it

Yeah he probably does more then meets the eye.Who says he didn't helped Detroit with donations or other ways?It's not like he's the type of guy to go outhere and say"I donated 1mill bux for X cause,here i am, give me an award or smth"lmao.And LOL@that comment under the article.He's kind of bragging abt having money and stuff but pointing fingers at others?wth? It is a nice letter with good intentions tho,but as Kieran said,things don't work out that way.He would be broke in a split second if he would just write checks for the mayor of the city or whatever lol.

[gutawafang]

LOL. That's a weird letter to read. xD I bet there are other fans with better letters and more sincere. xD

[mareble412]

Some people just cant be satisfied. Em couldve done all these things and he wouldve still found something wrong. Em is one person he cannot do everything and he isnt supposed too. I'll live in Philly, and Em does 100x more than his city then Will Smith or any other person from Philly. So, basically he could STFU cause EM did his far share and what was required of him

[xxTrigger1989xx]

This guy went to Proof's funeral? Crazy...

[Hiphopdane]

I don't know what Em spends his money on but would love if he started(?) supporting local artists such as Black Milk. Not just for the sake of it but because there are some genuine talents there that deserve more recognition. Maybe just even mentioning them in interviews or twitter - just look what happened to Yelawolf when Jim Jonsin said Em loved his mixtape.

I've always wondered why he never signed Proof as a solo artist to his label when he constantly praised him as one the better rappers out there.

[Wreck]

This was a good read, a good letter, and a good idea by the woman, but he has done a good amount, he also put D12 on the map which he didn't have to do either, she doesn't mention that, and Obie Trice got released by Shady because he wasn't making enough pop records, or selling enough units to be on a major label such as Interscope. Everything nowadays revolves around that. That's why some of the best artists like Canibus, Reggie, etc. who are lyrical and dope aren't on major labels anymore because of that. Eminem sells so much and can still put songs for radio that people can play and enjoy. It's true a little bit that Interscope revolved around Em and 50 a lot, but if you are good, you are good, it doesn't matter if you have 5 Godzilla's on your roster, feel me? And as far as paying off Dilla's medical bills, is that chick crazy? I thought that was hilarious. We all love Dilla, Detroit loves the shit out of him but expecting somebody I don't even think he knew, to pay their medical bills is a tall fucking glass. And remember he invited those construction workers to a free show or something last year too? He's done little things like that, plus give them some of his greatest shows, plus give them recognition, D12, Obie Trice, etc. he just hasn't gone overboard which doesn't mean he has to, but I see her point in the letter here.

[qawserftgyuh]

.”


I encourage you Marshall, to not just make songs, 9 million dollar commercials, or write love letters. I encourage you to spend money in and on Detroit. I encourage The Marshall Mathers Foundation to support arts programs in Detroit public schools. I encourage you to buy beats from local producers, do a mixtape supporting local artists, pay off J. Dilla’s medical bills, put some kids through college, support the Detroit Entertainment Commission, and get that mural done, let your legacy be not just your music, but your service to the city we all love so much. Because, it’s still us versus the free world.

who is this bitch telling eminem what to do

[kiki]

I don't agree with this letter - or parts of it. If I was Eminem I'd buy the beats and support the artists that are GOOD no matter where they come from. This has something to do with art not with your loyalty to your hometown.

[NicoleEM]

This was a good read, a good letter, and a good idea by the woman, but he has done a good amount, he also put D12 on the map which he didn't have to do either, she doesn't mention that, and Obie Trice got released by Shady because he wasn't making enough pop records, or selling enough units to be on a major label such as Interscope. Everything nowadays revolves around that. That's why some of the best artists like Canibus, Reggie, etc. who are lyrical and dope aren't on major labels anymore because of that. Eminem sells so much and can still put songs for radio that people can play and enjoy. It's true a little bit that Interscope revolved around Em and 50 a lot, but if you are good, you are good, it doesn't matter if you have 5 Godzilla's on your roster, feel me? And as far as paying off Dilla's medical bills, is that chick crazy? I thought that was hilarious. We all love Dilla, Detroit loves the shit out of him but expecting somebody I don't even think he knew, to pay their medical bills is a tall fucking glass. And remember he invited those construction workers to a free show or something last year too? He's done little things like that, plus give them some of his greatest shows, plus give them recognition, D12, Obie Trice, etc. he just hasn't gone overboard which doesn't mean he has to, but I see her point in the letter here.

I think it was Obie's choise to go b...Em was in no shape to take care of his label then.If it was abt selling records Ca$his would have been off Shady R for years... #justsaying

[BigBangBazinga]

What ? Is em expected to single handedly carry Detroit on his soldiers and respond to anyone or anything.Life aint like that.He does a lot for Detroit but expecting him to do and say everything is absurd.The guy needs to take in what he has done for the people and Detroit and respect it

This.

And the way she made it seem like all of Detroit missed Proof just as much as Em...