DAY 4: Someone that Inspires Me
Eminem.
Slim Shady.
Marshall Bruce Mathers III.
That’s my inspiration.
Not some top-shot lawyer or businessman. No. Its Eminem and simply because of one thing – Marshall symbolises the ability to take the rocks that were hurled at you as the building blocks for the life you envision. From lacking fatherly presence to being an absentee Dad himself, being bullied as a child, fighting with his Mom, struggles with his academics, managing his fans etc. I could go on and on, but I can relate in more ways than one with the Eminem background. I may have no musical talent (except for my karaoke skills), but Eminem’s life story, as expressed by his lyrics, gives me strengths.
Have you heard Eminem do spoken word? You should listen to Campaign Speech. I first heard it last year, while I was in the bathroom. I almost went mad. I legit cried from a mix of joy and deliriousness. In Eminem’s words, it was a ‘mind fuck’.
A former boss of mine once complained that I’m too raw, especially as regards how I freely use ‘vulgar’ or sexually suggestive language. Well, I have Eminem and all the other rappers to thank for that. But you know the funny thing? All because I say those stuff, doesn’t mean I actually do it. I guess I’m a Criminal.
How about the fact that this guy, a white guy, came into rap, a previously negro territory, and brought it Back to Life?
A lot of people wave off Eminem simply because of his fast rap. But the truth is, the issue is not his speed; it’s actually the ignorance of the listener. If you lack exposure to basic societal issues plaguing America, the street lingo for chatting up hoes, dysfunctional families, you won’t hear a word of what he’s saying. Its like speaking in tongues, only a true believer can appreciate or even understand when someone speaks in tongues. To others, it’s just gibberish.
Eminem is for the bipolar, or tripolar, if such people exist. Those who can be Rap Gods by dawn, and be insecure in their Castles by night.
Maybe it’s because Eminem is comfortable enough to share his pain with us through the power of his music. Maybe that’s why its easy for fans like us to look up to him and respect him. Maybe that’s why I hardly listen to Nigerian songs. All they do is pop Moet, like life is one big party. Guy, we know you’re not actually popping that champagne, because if you did, you would overshoot your budget for shooting the video. Its just computer effects that makes it look as if you popped something.
I could go and on and on. Eminem helps me look at my failures from a different perspective. I look at them as material that I can use to make my success story more compelling. In spite of all this, you still made something out of your life.
Initially, I had issues with the fact that I preferred the rappers to lawyers as role models. Next to Eminem for me is definitely J Cole. But most of the lawyers I’ve checked, honestly have very boring profiles. The typical story – they were good students in university, finished with good 2:1 or First Class and now they work with, or are Partners in one top law firm. Like guy, where is the fun in such a predictable life story?
