Eminem

    Detroit MC Marshall Mathers (a.k.a. Eminem) released his debut 12" as one half of the two man crew, Soul Intent, and soon after released his '96 debut album, Infinite, featuring members of his crew, The Dirty Dozen.

    After being featured in The Source's Unsigned Hype column in 1998, Eminem further made his name by dropping verses on indie singles by artists like Shabaam Sahdeeq and OldWorlDisorder. By the time he released his "Just Don't Give a Fuck" 12" and Slim Shady EP, Eminem was an underground sensation.

    Eminem's solid reputation as a lyricist earned him the respect of the powerful Dr. Dre, who signed him to his Aftermath label. Eminem's debut on Aftermath, The Slim Shady LP, hit No. 2 on the Billboard album charts within weeks of its release thanks to the breakthrough success of the single "My Name Is."

    Eminem won two awards at the 42nd Annual Grammys, which were Best Rap Solo Performance for "My Name Is" and Best Rap Album for The Slim Shady LP. He also records as one of the newer members of the New Jersey-based Outsidaz crew.