What is Eminem's real name?
Quick answer
Eminem’s real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, so his real first name is Marshall. His stage name comes from his initials, M&M, spelled out as “Eminem.” Now 54, he’s one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Key facts
- Real name
- Marshall Bruce Mathers III
- Born
- October 17, 1972, St. Joseph, Missouri
- Grew up in
- Detroit, Michigan
- Alter ego
- Slim Shady
Eminem, Slim Shady and Marshall Mathers
Eminem uses three names in his music, each with a different personality:
| Name | Persona |
|---|---|
| Eminem | His main stage name |
| Slim Shady | A dark, outrageous alter ego, introduced on The Slim Shady LP (1999) |
| Marshall Mathers | His more personal, honest side, as on The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) |
Career highlights
- 1997Finishes second at the Rap Olympics battle competition in Los Angeles, catching Dr. Dre’s attention
- 1999The Slim Shady LP, with “My Name Is,” launches him to fame
- 2000The Marshall Mathers LP becomes one of the fastest-selling rap albums ever
- 2002Stars in the semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile
- 2003“Lose Yourself” becomes the first rap song to win the Oscar for Best Original Song
- 2022Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Records
- 15 Grammy Awards
- More than 220 million records sold worldwide, by many estimates
- Known for extremely fast and complex rapping; “Rap God” (2013) packs over 1,500 words into about six minutes
Detroit roots
Eminem grew up near 8 Mile Road in Detroit, a symbolic dividing line in the city, which inspired the film’s title. He co-founded the group D12 and signed artists such as 50 Cent with Dr. Dre.
For other music facts, see who is known as the King of Pop and the first K-pop act to top the Billboard Hot 100.
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