Interviews
Interview 1
So how does it feel to be rich, famous and the idol of countless teenagers?
EMINEM:
I always wished for this, but it's almost turning into more of a nightmare than a dream. I mean, everybody wants to ride on my fuckin' coat tails. Everybody's trying to hang on to, wants a piece of my ass. You gotta be careful what you wish for; you just might get it.
NYROCK:
What's so bad about being a star?
EMINEM:
I can't go out anymore and play basketball, because everybody knows my fuckin' face. All I really wanted was to have a career in hip hop and now I got to deal with so much shit! There are people coming to my house, knocking on the door. Either they want autographs or they wanna fight. It's fuckin' crazy!
NYROCK:
Not to be smart, but I think you're getting quite an ample compensation for it. Okay, the loss of privacy is hard, but certainly you knew what was coming?
EMINEM:
Nobody really understands the pressures put on me. I'm under so much fuckin' pressure, pressure to always be good, pressure to always be on point. There are so many pressures that go with my job right now. It's crazy. Sometimes I think I do a lot of fuckin' crazy shit but then I don't know what the fuck is normal. My life certainly isn't. Maybe it never was....
NYROCK:
What was your life like before you became famous?
EMINEM:
Before I was famous, when I was just working in Gilbert's Lodge, everything was moving in slow motion. Now it seems like somebody has pressed the fuckin' fast forward button and my life just seems to be rushing by. It sometimes feels like a strange movie, you know, it's all so weird that sometimes I wonder if it is really happening. But I tell you the fuckin' shit feels a lot more real than the good things. That's fuckin' strange!
NYROCK:
There has been much controversy over your liberal use of the word "faggot" and what people perceive as gay bashing. It's put you right in the line of fire from gay and lesbian groups the world over...
EMINEM:
I'm not gay bashing. People just don't understand where I come from. "Faggot" to me doesn't necessarily mean gay people. "Faggot" to me just means... taking away your manhood. You're a sissy. You're a coward. Just like you might sit around in your living room and say, "Dude, stop, you're being a fag, dude."
NYROCK:
But you can see how it would insult homosexuals?
EMINEM:
Yeah, but it does not necessarily mean you're being a gay person. It just means you're being a fag. You're being an asshole or whatever. That's the way that the word was always taught to me. That's how I learned the word. Battling with somebody, you do anything you can to strip their manhood away.
NYROCK:
Sometimes it seems that you enjoy creating a bit of ruckus. I wonder if "faggot" is really necessary ...
EMINEM:
I come from Detroit where it's rough and I'm not a smooth talker. I am who I am and I say what I think. I'm not putting a face on for the record. When I started saying "faggot" on record, I started getting people going, "You have something against gay people," and I thought it was funny. Because I don't; I really don't. I have something against assholes, but I'm not into gay bashing. A lot of people are too stupid to understand it.
Interview 2
Eminem successfully sold 8 million CDs his last time out,
earning the relentless rapper more labels than anyone can add up. But count on this,
with a new CD and a whole new career on the horizon, nothing can suppress Eminem.
Shock value certainly plays into the appeal of the rapper,
but he maintains that much is misunderstood,
which is why he's been steering clear of interviews.
You'll recall that it was unlikely ally Elton John who quieted much of the
criticism by joining the star for a duet. Eminem came up with the idea, but only as a joke,
to Interscope record chief Jimmy Iovine. When this year's Best Picture Oscar® winner
Brian Grazer saw just a few seconds of an Eminem video, Brian immediately met
with him to discuss a project. The producer cast Eminem opposite Kim Basinger in the
semi-autobiographical film 8 Miles. Though the star himself may have reservations,
it would be a mistake to underestimate Eminem's ability to pull it off. Keep in mind,
Grazer is the guy who opened the door to movie stardom for another former rapper --
Mark Wahlberg. Eminem's controversial ways have far from ended. In his new video
"Without Me," due out next month, Eminem dresses up like Osama Bin Laden.
For the first time since his controversial Grammys duet with Elton over a year ago,
Eminem goes on the record with Access Hollywood's Pat O'Brien.
Question:
Let's talk about your new CD. Where are you going on this one?
Eminem:
This one is probably the most personal that I've gotten so far.
The first single is comical. It's got some funny stuff or whatever.
There are probably less songs on this CD that are funny... more of them are to the
point and represent a period in time when I was going through difficult
things in my life or whatever. There are points of it that are dark and points
of it that are upbeat. I wanted to go more personal with this one.
The direction that I went wasn't necessarily what I was planning on doing.
But as I was writing songs, each song got more personal and more personal.
It just came out that way .
Question:
Is it easier to do it that way because you don't do many interviews?
Is it easier to put it on CD?
Eminem:
I so wish that I could do that.
I really just wish that I could put the music on and let it speak for itself --
just sit back and not do anything.
Question:
In the past two years it's been a little tumultuous for you.
You've sort of stayed in the background.
Eminem:
Oh, yes. You know, we are very selective about things we do now.
For a minute there, everybody who wanted to do an interview with me wanted to attack me.
They just talk about, you know, homophobia and this and that.
It got to be such an issue that... it became not even about hip-hop anymore.
I just wanted to stay back for a minute.
I don't like to be backed into a corner or be doing an interview where I feel like
I'm being backed into a corner.
Question:
Let's talk about acting. Do you enjoy that process?
Eminem:
Let's not talk about acting. (laughs)
Question:
On our show, Brian Grazer said the first time he saw you he said,
'This kid's got it.' I don't know if he said kid,
but that's big when a guy like that can see something like that.
Eminem:
My chest is big or it's big that Brian Grazer said that? (laughs)
I like acting and I have fun with it.
It's one of those things that I don't know if I can do it well or not.
Sometimes I can be funny with it and sometimes I crack myself up with it.
I mean, with my music, I feel like I have a certain level of confidence,
but with the acting thing it's a little weird for me.
It's one of those things where you have to sit back and see what everybody else thinks.
I believe myself in every scene, but you don't know how everybody else is going to be.
Pat O'Briens Comment after the interview with Eminem
In contrast to the McCartney experience, a few days later I sat down with Eminem,
who gave us his first interview in a year and a half. But is it really different?
Marshall Mathers has become his generation's Lennon/McCartney,
letting us in on the feelings of the new millennium.
We were privileged to witness his new music video where Em and Dr. Dre set out to
save young people from buying Eminem CD's. It is pretty funny.
It's called "Without Me" and much of it takes place in a Lamborghini -- a ,000 one.
And the tune just might be catchier than "Slim Shady." Eminem has changed.
He has become more comfortable in his own skin. He has privately removed the edge,
is approachable and well, when you look at him, he's no different than any brilliant artist.
But more than a lot of people, he likes to have fun with his image.
For example the entire homophobic episode was a joke that, in reality, got out of hand.
Hanging out with Em on his set, there couldn't be a nicer guy, really or a
busier one... new CD, movie projects, videos and living his life.
It's a true experience to be part of his inner circle for an afternoon
because it's really no different from what everybody else does. He works hard.
He breaks for lunch, hangs out with his friends and goes home at night.
The next morning, he comes back to work. Now, granted, his work pays a little better.
He has catered food. He gets whomever he wants to stop by, but he
approaches it all now as more of an occupation instead of a crusade.
Having said that, don't think the edge is gone or the music has gone sappy.
To quote another Eminem fan, "It's getting better all the time."
interview 3
Question:
Did you ever regret dissing Christina Aguilera in The Real Slim Shady lyrics?
Eminem:
No, I believe I should be able to say what I want on a record.
She wants to sue me and I don't care whether she does or not.
By the time my career ends I'll have no money left thanks to all the lawsuits. I'll be broke!
Question:
Why have you chosen to attack your critics on your albums?
Eminem:
I felt that a lot of my lyrics were misunderstood by the critics and I'm adressing that.
A lot of things were taken literally which was never my intention.
There's more humour and layers of meaning on my previous album.
That's why my most recent one's called The Marshall Mathers LP:
it's my true story and I hope the critics get mad at me!
Question:
You can hardly blame them.
Eminem:
Yeah, I'm controversial but I just speak my mind.
What really hurts me is that pop starts are written about more fairly and they certainly don't deserve it.
What they do can be bland, empty and pure entertainment yet the'ye forgiven.
It's like they're being measured by a different standard.
When I try to raise some issues I get knocked back for it.
That's not fair and that's one of the things I'm addressing.
I love the media because you guys give me a lot of stuff to talk about!
Question:
So with the critics accepting
The Marshall Mathers LP you'll have no reason to express your anger in the future!
Eminem:
Yeah, I'll probably have to start rapping like Will Smith!
Question:
Does it bother you that you're no longer perceived as an underground artist?
Eminem:
I'm still and underground artist but with a mainstream appeal.
Being an underground artist doesn't mean you can't have hits.
It's about doing your own thing and not worrying about excuses.
I'm still hard and uncompromising and I've not tried to polish my lyrics to make them more acceptable.
I'm not prepared to tone my lyrics down to shift a million more copies of my album.
I don't care whether television or radio play my music,
I'm not going to water-down my style for nobody!
Question:
Don't you feel responsible towards your younger fans?
Eminem:
No. I never wanted to be a role model but I am aware that kids are looking up to me.
I also believe that kids are smart and they don't just want to ape my behaviour.
I hope they look up to me and get inspired to get out from their tragic situations.
Anyway most of the things just rhyme and really don't mean much.
If you want to read into it there's nothing I can do about it.
Question:
Is it true you're heading for Hollywood?
Eminem:
Hollywood keeps an eye on what's going on and I've had plenty of offers to have my
music in the movies, as well as to act, but nothing's grabbed my attention.
There was talk of a film based on my life story and when
I have some time off from music I'd like to start working on it.
The plan is that we'll write it together, me and Dre.
Question:
The first time you met Dr Dre you were decked out in a canary-yellow tracksuit.
What was going on with your wardrobe?
Eminem:
I didn't have any money so that was the only decent thing I had.
It was given to me as a promo and Dre called me a Banana.
He thought I looked stupid but the moment we started working together,
we dropped four songs in about six hours! I know that impressed Dre more than my yellow suit!
Question:
How influential has Dre been on your music?
Eminem:
I didn't start writing lyrics until I was 14 but by the time I met Dre I had a vision of where
I wanted to take it and he showed me how to take it there. How to execute it...
It's been two years since I started working with Dre and it is getting more comfortable.
We trust each other more, we can be more open with eachother.
Question:
Own up... who's the real you? Marshall Mathers, Slim Shady or Eminem?
Eminem:
Marshall Mathers ends when the Baccardi kicks in and Slim Shady raises his head.
Eminem takes over then I hit the stage.
Question:
We couldn't have classed you as the 'Bacardi drinking' kid of man...
Eminem:
My favourite mix of drugs is whatever around. Whatever is available on the night.
Interview 4
Easter in Royal Oak, Detroit. Royal Oak is a reasonably well-to-do bit of Detroit,
all futon shops and oyster bars. Eminem lives 30 minutes' drive away, in Manchester Heights,
the very well-to-do bit of Detroit. He's running late. He's bleaching his hair.
A record company person has bought boxes of clothes Eminem might like to be photographed in.
There's a selection of T-shirts bearing silly slogans: "I * Groupies",
"Stop Looking At My Crotch" and so on. It's hoped he might wear one that says
"I Fucked A Backstreet Boy". Eminem's manager, Paul Rosenberg, isn't so sure.
"I think we're over the whole Backstreet Boys thing," he says. "We've moved on."
Eminem (28) eventually rolls in with daughter Hailie (6), brother Nathan (16) and Bizarre,
Kuniva and Proof, members of D12, his doughy-looking rap crew of childhood pals.
It's a modern family and that's the way Eminem likes it. He looks well.
Hailie trails beside him with a carrier bag of colouring books.
Nathan is Eminem's very own Mini-Me - bottle-blonde hair, fast-food complexion,
D12 diamond pendant round his neck. Burger King is ordered.
Eminem sits on a couch and picks at his meal. He's not happy. "Look at that! Goddamn."
The fries carton is suspiciously half-full. Brother Nathan has beaten him to the food:
"Little son of a bitch." A presidential Rolex hangs from his wrist,
a gift from his record label after Eminem had, jokingly, rung up to complain
that fellow Detroit popstar Kid Rock had been given a similar watch as a
Christmas present from his record label. He's also got a new tattoo, a rather spooky
likeness of Hailie, on his right forearm. He belches loudly. "Excuse me."
Question:
On parts of your new album, The Eminem Show, you sound angrier than ever.
Eminem:
Yeah, it's funny. It's like I need drama in my life to inspire me a lot,
instead of just trying to reach for something. Last year was, like, a really rough year for me.
You know, divorce and trying to raise my little girl. Obstacles are thrown at me -
you've just got to fall or you don't fall. And I can't fall.
Question:
Cleaning Out My Closet is the harshest attack on your mother yet.
Eminem:
Yeah . . . It's a harsh record but I feel like my mother has done some harsh things to me.
You just try your whole life to be able to get away from that person and make a
life for yourself and not have to deal with it anymore. And it's so hard to break away.
And they keep coming back to haunt you, trying to weasel their way into your life somehow.
That's my closure song, I guess. It's like I'm washing my hands of it.
I'm cleaning out my closet. I'm done
Question:
What has your mother done this time?
Eminem:
Well, she started wanting to put her face out there and get famous off of what I've done.
Every time I would see her on TV, or I'd see my father on TV, I'd be, like,
"What are you doing? Like, leave me alone!" Do you know what I'm saying?
That's all I ever asked. Like, "Take your crazy asses and just stay where you're at."
It got to a point where I stopped subscribing to the Detroit News because every day
I'd be in the papers for something. I'd be like, "What the fuck? How is this newsworthy?"
You know: "Eminem Takes A Shit", and there's a picture of me in the paper wiping my ass.
When I moved from one house to the next, a news crew would follow me.
And it would be the top story on the news. Then they'd go into (newsreader's voice):
"Six kids got murdered in Detroit today . . ."
Question:
How do you feel about the outcome of last year's court cases?
Do you think you were fortunate?
Eminem:
I was lucky because of who I am. They could have easily made an example out of me,
but also, it got so much attention. Like anybody else this would have happened to
would have got a slap on the wrist and probation. But, of course, I am who I am.
Question:
No drinking, no fighting, no purple pills - is that the deal with probation?
Eminem:
Yeah. I can drink, but moderately. Which I really . . . I won't say I don't . . .
but I haven't done for a long time. I almost wonder, do I see a reason to even start back again
I've been clean for so long? I'm able to do things that a couple of years ago
I couldn't do without freaking out. You know, trying to take care of a little girl and
trying to do the daddy things and trying to make the music, and do the press,
and trying to juggle all these things at once.
Question:
Do you think you mother will leave you alone now?
Eminem:
(Thinks) Nah. I could have dragged that out forever if I wanted to.
I was just like, "Shut up and leave me alone, freak." Whether it's for a dollar or ,
you're still suing your son. It doesn't matter. The damage is done.
I don't know if she's happy with the money.
I've heard that her lawyer took most of it and left her with a couple of grand.
The court cases keep coming, though. If you have nothing else and you haven't made
nothing with your life, then what the fuck? Why not? If Eminem says my name on a record,
why not get money, if you have nothing else? What the fuck? I'd do it.
Question:
How many times have you been in love?
Eminem:
Once. And that's enough for me.
Question:
When you first became really famous you said you were going to have
to leave Detroit. But you're still here, and you've made a movie about it.
Eminem:
Yeah, I'm comfortable now. It's died down but who knows what's gonna happen now?
It's like, you put a fucking album out and your face starts being everywhere and
suddenly people remember you again and camp outside your house.
You know, it's like a love-hate relationship where I come from. Which is, you know,
what most rappers will tell you.
Question:
How do you think 8 Mile will affect Detroit?
Eminem:
You know, I would love to see this city bring its income up and everything.
And if I can help that, then that's great. Some local people don't seem very happy.
Fuck them. Everybody sees something wrong with everything I do.
I read so much bickering shit in the paper. (Redneck voice)
"My daughter waited for ages to see Eminem and he drove by us and he waved and then he
sent somebody back and gave my daughter a T-shirt" - which I did - "but he
wouldn't even sign it." What? What the fuck? Yeah, we shut down some areas
[to make the film] and people were complaining. "Oh, they're giving Warren a bad name."
Giving Warren a bad name? The fucking white-trash capital of the world? I'm white trash,
so what the fuck? You can't tell me. I grew up in it. You're gonna say I'm giving the
city a bad name? Dummy, the city already has a bad name.
"You made the trailer park dirtier than it was. You created extra dirt!" Shut the fuck up!
Question:
Some Eminem rumours put to rest (sort of). That he's had a fling with
Destiny's Child's Beyoncé.
Eminem:
No, me and Beyoncé are not fucking. I wish.
She's beautiful. All of Destiny's Child are beautiful. Oh, I love Beyoncé.
Question:
That he's having a fling with Kim Basinger:
Eminem:
Um, no, we're not fucking either. In the movie [8 Mile, in which Kim Basinger plays his mother]
there's a scene where we kiss. She kissed me like a mother would kiss a son.
It was in the rehearsal. And the next day it was in the paper that we were seen
kissing on set and holding hands and all this dumb shit. (Thinks) I would love to, though.
Question:
That Debbie Mathers wanted Kim Basinger's part in 8 Mile?
Eminem:
What? That's retarded. What kind of fucking sense does that make?
I don't know if she did or not. I know that she was bitching about Kim Basinger playing
my mother and was calling the movie people.
They were, like, "Yo, your mother keeps threatening to sue us." I'm like,
"Does she know that I'm not playing me in the film? I'm, like, playing a kid named Jimmy?"
Question:
That he's addicted to painkillers?
Eminem:
Oh. Nah. That's untrue. Vitamins, maybe. I take my one a day. And Echinacea.
And vitamin C. Then there's my little heroin problem, but I won't talk about that
'cause I'm on probation and shit. But I do shoot up, like, a lot. I have no veins left.
They're all collapsed so I shoot up through my dick. But hey, who doesn't?
Question:
That he's dead?
Eminem:
Now that's true. I'm chilling on my island somewhere, drinking piña coladas.
Question:
That he's recorded a charity song with Limp Bizkit called New World Order.
Fred Durst raps the part of an American GI, Eminem raps the part of Osama bin Laden?
Eminem:
I wouldn't do a fucking record with Limp Bizkit.
If I was on the fucking plane that was crashing.
Eminem finishes having his photograph taken. It's time to go.
There's an album to be completed.
He rounds up his friends and relations and says his goodbyes.
The last time we see him he's walking side-by-side with Hailie.
Hailie's holding a giant toy bunny in one hand and a Smarties McFlurry in the other.
Nathan is jumping on Proof's back. Proof is complaining that Nathan is trying to "bum"
him. It's a modern family. And that's the way Eminem likes it.
