Eminem
Failed ninth grade three times, washed dishes, and lost rap battles until a demo reached Dr. Dre.
Eminem was born in 1972 in St. Joseph, Missouri, US. Eminem's background is described as White American. Growing up, the family was in poverty — his father left before he was two; he and his mother moved between Missouri and Detroit trailer parks, rarely staying a year in one school. Failed ninth grade three times, washed dishes, and lost rap battles until a demo reached Dr. Dre.
- Born
- 1972 · St. Joseph, Missouri, US
- Roots
- White American
- Family
- Poverty
- His father left before he was two; he and his mother moved between Missouri and Detroit trailer parks, rarely staying a year in one school.
- Education
- Dropped out of Lincoln High School at 17 after repeating ninth grade three times
- Started with
- Open-mic battles
- Battle rap at Detroit's Hip Hop Shop while cooking and washing dishes; his debut tape sold about a thousand copies.
- Affiliations & societies
- None documented.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1996 · age 24Infinite flops
The debut sells around a thousand copies; he is a new father working kitchen shifts.
- 1997 · age 25Rap Olympics
Second place in Los Angeles; an Interscope intern passes his tape along, and it reaches Dr. Dre.
- 1999 · age 26The Slim Shady LP
Dre signs him; the album goes multi-platinum amid controversy over its content.
- 2000 · age 27The Marshall Mathers LP
Reported as the fastest-selling solo album in US history at the time.
- 2003 · age 30Lose Yourself wins the Oscar
The first rap song to win Best Original Song, from 8 Mile.
- 2007 · age 35Overdose
Nearly dies from methadone; he has spoken openly about the addiction years since.
- 2010 · age 37Recovery
The comeback album tops global year-end charts; he is frequently cited among the best-selling music artists ever.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Eminem from?
Eminem was born in 1972 in St. Joseph, Missouri, US. Their background is described as White American.
When was Eminem born?
Eminem was born in 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri, US.
What is Eminem's background or ethnicity?
Eminem's roots are described as White American. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did Eminem go to school?
Eminem's education: Dropped out of Lincoln High School at 17 after repeating ninth grade three times.
What was Eminem's family background growing up?
At birth the family was in poverty. His father left before he was two; he and his mother moved between Missouri and Detroit trailer parks, rarely staying a year in one school.
How did Eminem get started?
Eminem started with open-mic battles. Battle rap at Detroit's Hip Hop Shop while cooking and washing dishes; his debut tape sold about a thousand copies.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.