The Slim Shady EP
Encyclopedia
The Slim Shady EP is a debut EP
by American rapper Eminem
, released on the Detroit-based record label
Web Entertainment
in 1997. The Slim Shady EP was released on cassette
, vinyl
, and CD (the vinyl and CD versions were released in '98, most likely because Eminem did not have the money to press them all at that time).
Eminem first introduced his "Slim Shady" persona on this EP, and his lyrics are a marked departure from those found on Infinite, featuring constant references to drug use, sexual acts, mental instability, and over-the-top violence. Another departure was his exploration of more serious themes of dealing with poverty, his direct and self-deprecating response to criticism, and of marital and family difficulties. His flow is also noticeably different than on Infinite; whereas critics claimed he sounded too much like Nas
and AZ
on that album. Eminem also began utilizing story telling on this EP. The production value of the music on the tracks — from previous collaborators DJ Head
, The Bass Brothers
, and Mr. Porter — was also noticeably higher than on prior album efforts.
Unlike Infinite, The Slim Shady EP gained Eminem significant underground attention and eventually garnered the interest of famous West Coast hip-hop
producer Dr. Dre
, who subsequently signed Eminem to his fledgling Aftermath
label, and executive-produced his breakthrough major-label debut The Slim Shady LP
.
, the co-owner of the magazine.
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
by American rapper Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
, released on the Detroit-based record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Web Entertainment
Web Entertainment
Web Entertainment is a Detroit-based record label run by the Bass Brothers. It is best known for producing both of Eminem 's independent albums, Infinite and The Slim Shady EP demo, before he signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and also released The Slim Shady LP and currently Recovery...
in 1997. The Slim Shady EP was released on cassette
Compact Cassette
The Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel...
, vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
, and CD (the vinyl and CD versions were released in '98, most likely because Eminem did not have the money to press them all at that time).
Eminem first introduced his "Slim Shady" persona on this EP, and his lyrics are a marked departure from those found on Infinite, featuring constant references to drug use, sexual acts, mental instability, and over-the-top violence. Another departure was his exploration of more serious themes of dealing with poverty, his direct and self-deprecating response to criticism, and of marital and family difficulties. His flow is also noticeably different than on Infinite; whereas critics claimed he sounded too much like Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
and AZ
AZ (rapper)
Anthony Cruz , better known as AZ is a Grammy-nominated American rapper of Dominican & African American descent. He is known for being a long time and frequent rhyme partner of Nas, and also a member of hip-hop group The Firm alongside Nas, Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature.In a countdown of the 10...
on that album. Eminem also began utilizing story telling on this EP. The production value of the music on the tracks — from previous collaborators DJ Head
DJ Head
DJ Head AKA DJ Manho is a Grammy Award Winning hip-hop producer and DJ from Detroit, Michigan. He is known for producing and co-producing songs for Eminem. DJ Head was raised in Detroit. He is a graduate from Shrine Catholic High School in Royal Oak, Michigan , and Michigan State University Alumni...
, The Bass Brothers
Bass Brothers
Bass Brothers is the professional name for the team of Mark and Jeff Bass, the Detroit producers responsible for grooming megastar Eminem in his early days and collaborating on much of his subsequent music. Before that they worked with George Clinton...
, and Mr. Porter — was also noticeably higher than on prior album efforts.
Unlike Infinite, The Slim Shady EP gained Eminem significant underground attention and eventually garnered the interest of famous West Coast hip-hop
West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop is a hip hop music subgenre that encompasses any artists or music that originates in the westernmost region of the United States, as opposed to East Coast hip hop, based originally in New York alone...
producer Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, who subsequently signed Eminem to his fledgling Aftermath
Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by Dr. Dre. It operates as a subsidiary of, and is distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records. Current acts include Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Slim da Mobster, with former acts including Busta Rhymes, Game, Raekwon,...
label, and executive-produced his breakthrough major-label debut The Slim Shady LP
The Slim Shady LP
The Slim Shady LP is the second studio album by American rapper Eminem, released on February 23, 1999. It is his major-label debut, and was released under Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, and Web Records....
.
Album cover
The album cover depicts the opening intro as well as the first track, in which Slim Shady (a character which Eminem apparently "killed" in the past) dead awakens Eminem and orders him to look in the mirror to see that he is "nothing without him". Eminem resists and screams in the background while Slim Shady yells back and laughs at Eminem's horror. By the second track, Eminem and Slim Shady become the same person. Eminem is also ordered by "Slim Shady" to look into the mirror, and the sound of glass breaking is heard, alluding once again to the cover.Promotional releases
Web Entertainment released a promotional version of The Slim Shady EP in the Fall of 1997 at a show at "The Viper Room" on Detroit's eastside. It was a four-track cassette. The four songs on the cassette were, "Just Don't Give A Fuck", "Murder, Murder", "Just The Two Of Us", "Low Down, Dirty". These cassettes were handed out for free by Eminem at local Detroit Hip Hop shows, as well as at the infamous Rap Olympics in 1997.Unsigned Hype
Eminem was featured in the March 1998 edition of The Source magazine's (#102), "Unsigned Hype" column. The author of the column highlighted two tracks from Eminem's The Slim Shady EP; "Just The Two Of Us," and "Murder, Murder." The column was written about a month or two prior to Eminem's record deal with Aftermath Entertainment but wasn't published until March 1998. Later in Eminem's career, he beefed with BenzinoBenzino
Raymond Scott from Boston Massachusetts, better known by hisstage name Benzino is an American hip hop media executive, and record producer....
, the co-owner of the magazine.
Track listing
| # | Title | Producer(s) | Samples | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Intro" (Slim Shady) | Eminem Eminem Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition... |
1:08 | |
| 2 | "Low Down, Dirty" | Mr. Porter, Kuniva |
|
4:44 |
| 3 | "If I Had" | DJ Rec | 4:07 | |
| 4 | "Just Don't Give a Fuck Just Don't Give a Fuck "Just Don't Give a Fuck" is a song by American rapper Eminem. The original version of this track was on Eminem's independent demo release The Slim Shady EP... " |
Mr. Porter |
|
4:01 |
| 5 | "Mommy" (skit) | 0:36 | ||
| 6 | "Just the Two of Us" | DJ Head DJ Head DJ Head AKA DJ Manho is a Grammy Award Winning hip-hop producer and DJ from Detroit, Michigan. He is known for producing and co-producing songs for Eminem. DJ Head was raised in Detroit. He is a graduate from Shrine Catholic High School in Royal Oak, Michigan , and Michigan State University Alumni... |
Grover Washington, Jr. Grover Washington, Jr. was an American jazz-funk / soul-jazz saxophonist. Along with George Benson, John Klemmer, David Sanborn, Bob James, Chuck Mangione, Herb Alpert, and Spyro Gyra, he is considered by many to be one of the founders of the smooth jazz genre.He wrote some of his material and... |
4:20 |
| 7 | "No One's Iller" (feat. Swifty, Bizarre Bizarre (rapper) Rufus Arthur Johnson , better known as Bizarre is an American recording artist best known for his work with Detroit hip-hop group D12. His songs are often about subjects which create shock value such as rape and drugs.-Early life:Bizarre was born as Rufus Arthur Johnson on July 5, 1976 in Detroit,... , Fuzz Scoota) |
DJ Head |
Hank Crawford Bennie Ross "Hank" Crawford, Jr. was an American R&B, hard bop, jazz-funk, soul jazz alto saxophonist, arranger and songwriter... |
4:59 |
| 8 | "Murder, Murder" | DJ Rec |
Paul Simon Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles... Eminem Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition... Masta Ace Duval Clear , known better by his stage name Masta Ace, is a rapper from Brownsville, Brooklyn. He appeared on the classic 1988 Juice Crew posse cut "The Symphony"... |
4:41 |
| 9 | "If I Had..." (Radio Edit) | DJ Rec | 4:03 | |
| 10 | "Just Don't Give a Fuck" (Radio Edit) | Mr. Porter | 4:04 | |