EMINEM: GENIUS?

Jon Mandle, writing at Crooked Timber, discusses a review of Marshall Mathers (“Eminem”) in the current New York Review of Books. (More precisely, it’s a review of three books on Eminem, one a 148 masterpice by its subject.) The discussion is an interesting one, especially the topic of racial “authenticity.”

Personally, while I find some of Mathers’ lyrics clever, I find the merits of the work overshadowed by the vile misogyny, violent overtones, and the whole “I’m such a poor, misunderstood multimillionaire” schtick. But I’m not, as they say, the target audience.

FILED UNDER: Popular Culture,
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. Eric M says:

    I think Eminem has a little-known niche with the ultra-groovy I’m-so-left-I’m-right-set.