Eminem - rapper with a difference, proves again at VMA Awards 2010

Eminem is the rare white rapper in a business dominated, almost monopolized by, black rappers. But that’s the point about novelty value; it fades quickly. What makes him so special today is that he is one of the most personal rappers around, someone who doesn’t hesitate to put his life and his demons on record, someone who is searingly honest, and at the same time, technically brilliant.

Black rappers traditionally dealt with issues of race and the ghetto world of gangsters, police and shoot- outs, that is, until rap went mainstream in the 90s. It was toned down, then toned down some more, until we’ve reached a stage where rap nowadays is little more than bland dance music.

Eminem’s strength has been his relentless breathtaking uncompromising ability to talk about himself and his weaknesses, a trait he continues and consolidates upon in his new album, Recovery . The album went into the Billboard charts straight in at number one, turned platinum within a matter of weeks, and remains one of the biggest successes of the year.

In the world of rap, where braggadocio is everything, Eminem strikes a refreshingly aberrant note for he’s not afraid to raise a toast to his own vulnerabilities, “ Are you stupid? You’re gon’ start dissin’ people for no reason?/ ‘ specially when you can’t even write a decent punch line even?/ you’re lyin’ to yourself/ your slowly dyin’ you’re denying your health is declining with your self esteem, your crying out for help.”

While legions of fans love him, music critics are ambivalent, often criticising him for being solipsistic or pointlessly offensive, the NYT even going to the extent of saying that he refuses to grow old gracefully.

No wonder he jokes in one of his songs that he’s going to win the Pulitzer one day.

Here is his opening ceremony performance at MTV VMA Awards 2010.

2191225925
Uploaded by yardie4lifever2. - More video blogs and vloggers.