Eminem, born Marshall Mathers III, is a multi platinum selling American rapper with a net worth estimated at $115 million. Eminem spent his youth moving around Missouri with his single mom before settling in Warren, Michigan where he became interested in hip-hop after obtaining Licensed to Ill by the Beastie Boys. Between participating in freestyle rap battles and creating his own amateur performances throughout his teen years, Marshall gained recognition and respect from the local hip-hop scene. After dropping out of high school at age seventeen, Marshall joined Bassmint Productions, which was later renamed Soul Intent. He recorded music with Mashin’ Duck Records and FBT Productions, all while holding down a minimum wage job as a cook and dishwasher. Under Web Entertainment, Eminem released his debut album, Infinite, in 1996.
Infinite was followed by the 1997 release of The Slim Shady EP, which earned Eminem the attention of Dr. Dre, who executive-produced the major-label release of The Slim Shady LP. The album was an instant commercial and critical success, earning Eminem a Grammy for best rap album. 2000 and 2002 saw the releases of The Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show, respectfully, both successes, with The Marshall Mathers LP on record as the fastest selling hip-hop album in history. Eminem has achieved twelve #1 singles worldwide, an Academy Award for Best Original Song, eight number one albums on Billboard Top 200, and was named Artist of the Decade by Billboard Magazine in December 2009.