"My Name Is" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Eminem | ||||
from the album The Slim Shady LP | ||||
Released | January 25, 1999 | |||
Recorded | 1998 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:28 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Dr. Dre | |||
Eminem singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music videos | ||||
"My Name Is" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his second album The Slim Shady LP (1999). It is also the opening song and lead single of the album. The song contains an interpolation [2] (replayed sample) from British singer Labi Siffre's 1975 track "I Got The..." featuring the bass and guitar riff as originally played by British pop rock duo Chas & Dave. The song was ranked at #26 on "VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s". [3] "My Name Is" was also ranked #6 on Q Magazine's "1001 Best Songs Ever". [4] "My Name Is" peaked at number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Eminem's first top 40 hit there. Outside the United States, "My Name Is" peaked within the top ten of the charts in Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, Ireland, and United Kingdom.
The song was placed at number 39 by Rolling Stone on their list of "100 Greatest Hip-Hop songs of all time" in April 2016. [5] The recording garnered Eminem his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 42nd Grammy Awards in 2000.
On the first day of recording, Eminem and Dr. Dre finished "My Name Is" in an hour. [6]
The song contains an interpolation from Labi Siffre's track "I Got The..." from his 1975 album Remember My Song . Siffre, who is openly gay, said in a 2012 interview that he refused to approve the usage until sexist and homophobic lyrics were removed from the song: "Dissing the victims of bigotry – women as bitches, homosexuals as faggots – is lazy writing. Diss the bigots not their victims." [7] The original uncensored version of the song with the aforementioned offending lyrics is mistakenly included on the compilation The Source Hip Hop Music Awards 1999 . The bass and guitar riff used in the interpolation was originally performed by Siffre's session musicians Chas Hodges and Dave Peacock, who later became the duo Chas & Dave, [8] although the song's liner notes [9] state that the audio sample used by Eminem was actually an interpolation (re-recording). "My Name Is" is written in the key of F major. [10] Famous names referenced in the song include Nine Inch Nails, the Spice Girls, and Pamela Anderson (Pamela Lee). [11]
The video premiered on MTV Total Request Live on January 21, 1999. It was directed by Phillip Atwell, who would later direct music videos for several other Eminem songs, including "The Real Slim Shady", "Stan", "Lose Yourself", and "Just Lose It". The video starts out with a stereotypical redneck family watching television, who then come across a show starring "Marshall Mathers" (Eminem's real name). As the video goes on, Eminem parodies several TV shows and movies. He also imitates then-President of the United States Bill Clinton, Johnny Carson, Marilyn Manson, a porn star, and others. Basketball player Gheorghe Mureșan has a cameo appearance as a ventriloquist with Eminem being used as the dummy in the scene. Dr. Dre, the song's producer, also has a cameo as a doctor. It also features a Monica Lewinski lookalike, and Eminem imitating a chemistry teacher. Eminem is seen wearing a red tuxedo in some parts of the video, something that he would pay homage to in his 2020 single "Gnat", 21 years after "My Name Is" was originally released.
The video was ranked #71 in NME's 100 Greatest Music Videos. [12] As of 2019[ citation needed ], the music video has been replaced on all official sites (including the official Eminem YouTube account and MTV's holding accounts) with alternative lyrics online making it more advertiser friendly. Lines such as, "Well, since age 12, I felt like I'm someone else 'Cause I hung my original self from the top bunk with a belt," are replaced with "Since age 12 I felt like a caged elf Who stayed to himself in one space, chasing his tail," also with lines referencing ripping Pamela Lee's breasts off replaced with ripping her lips off and kissing them, saying how they feel soft like silicon.
AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine singled out the song as an album highlight, [13] while Entertainment Weekly 's David Browne wrote that this single and its accompanying video were both "attention-grabbing". [14]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "My Name Is" (clean) | Dr. Dre | 4:27 | |
2. | "My Name Is" (explicit) |
| Dr. Dre | 4:27 |
3. | "My Name Is" (instrumental) |
| Dr. Dre | 5:58 |
Total length: | 14:52 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "My Name Is" (clean) | Dr. Dre | 4:27 | |
2. | "My Name Is" (instrumental) |
| Dr. Dre | 4:27 |
3. | "Just Don't Give A" (clean version) |
| 4:02 | |
Total length: | 12:56 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "My Name Is" (clean) | Dr. Dre | 4:27 | |
2. | "My Name Is" (instrumental) |
| Dr. Dre | 4:27 |
Total length: | 8:54 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "My Name Is" (explicit) | Dr. Dre | 4:30 | |
2. | "My Name Is" (clean) |
| Dr. Dre | 4:29 |
3. | "My Name Is" (instrumental) |
| Dr. Dre | 4:29 |
4. | "My Name Is" (acapella) |
| Dr. Dre | 3:46 |
Total length: | 17:14 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "My Name Is" | Dr. Dre | 4:27 | |
2. | "Bad Guys Always Die" (from the Wild Wild West soundtrack) |
| Dr. Dre | 4:39 |
Total length: | 9:06 |
Eminem's mother Debbie Mathers filed a $10 million slander lawsuit against him for insinuating that she does drugs in the lyrics "99% of my life I was lied to, I just found out my mom does more dope than I do". [18] Eminem also berates his mother in the third verse of the song, with the lyrics "When I was little I used to get so hungry I would throw fits/How you gonna breastfeed me, Mom?! You ain't got no tits!" Debbie stated in her 2008 book My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem , "This line was horrible and upsetting, because I'd contracted toxemia-blood poisoning when I gave birth to him and hadn't been able to breast-feed." The lawsuit was settled in 2001 for $25,000, of which Debbie received only $1,600, after Judge Mark Switalski ruled that $23,354.25 of the $25,000 settlement should go to Fred Gibson, Debbie's former attorney. [19] Eminem would later reference this in his 2002 song "Without Me" with the lyrics, "I just settled all my lawsuits, fuck you Debbie!" [20]
Eminem later felt disillusioned by its immense popularity. In 2002 he said "I didn't hate that song when I first made it. But the shit that I really, really like, that I put my heart and soul into, I don't get recognized for, like 'The Way I Am .' There's a difference between me being funny and me being real. I feel like I don't get recognized for my best shit — the shit that's my real, true feelings and emotions." [21]
Year | Ceremony | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1999 [22] | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Male Video | Nominated |
Best New Artist in a Video | Won | ||
Best Direction in a Video | Nominated | ||
2000 [23] | Grammy Awards | Best Rap Solo Performance | Won |
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [50] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI) [51] | Gold | 50,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [52] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [53] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
The Marshall Mathers LP is the third studio album by the American rapper Eminem, released on May 23, 2000, by Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album was produced mostly by Dr. Dre and Eminem, along with the 45 King, the Bass Brothers, and Mel-Man. Recorded over a two-month period in several studios around Detroit, the album features more introspective lyricism, including Eminem's thoughts on his rise from rags to riches, the criticism of his music, and his estrangement from his family and wife. A transgressive work, it incorporates horrorcore and hardcore hip hop, while also featuring satirical songs. The album includes samples or appearances by Dido, RBX, Sticky Fingaz, Bizarre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Nate Dogg, and D12.
"The Real Slim Shady" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his third album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). It was released as the lead single a month before the album's release.
The Slim Shady LP is the second studio album by the American rapper Eminem, and his first on a major record label. It was released on February 23, 1999, by Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. Recorded in Ferndale, Michigan following Eminem's recruitment by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, the album features production from Dr. Dre, the Bass Brothers, and Eminem himself.
Claudius Afolabi Siffre, better known as Labi Siffre, is a British singer, songwriter and poet. Siffre released six albums between 1970 and 1975, and four between 1988 and 1998. His best known compositions include "It Must Be Love", which reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart in 1971, "Crying Laughing Loving Lying", and "(Something Inside) So Strong"—an anti-apartheid song inspired by a television documentary in which white soldiers in South Africa were filmed shooting at black civilians in the street—which hit number 4 on the UK chart. The latter song won Siffre the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, and it has been used in Amnesty International campaigns.
"Like Toy Soldiers" is a song by American rapper Eminem, from his fifth album Encore (2004). The song received positive reviews from music critics, and peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Like Toy Soldiers" topped the charts in the United Kingdom, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in 12 countries, including Australia, Denmark, Germany, and New Zealand. The song samples the 1989 song "Toy Soldiers" by Martika. It is the fourth single from the album. The single would appear on the Curtain Call: The Hits compilation released in 2005.
Bad Meets Evil is an American hip hop super duo composed of Detroit-based rappers Royce da 5'9" (Bad) and Eminem (Evil). Formed in 1998, the duo's name comes from the namesake song from Eminem's The Slim Shady LP (1999), which featured Royce da 5'9". They debuted the same year with the release of the double single, "Nuttin' to Do" and "Scary Movies", the latter of which for the soundtrack to the 2000 horror comedy parody film Scary Movie. A decade later, the duo reunited to release an extended play (EP) to critical and commercial success.
"Just Lose It" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fifth studio album, Encore (2004). It was released on September 28, 2004, as the lead single from Encore, and was later included on his greatest hits compilation album, Curtain Call: The Hits (2005). The song caused controversy as its lyrics and music video parodies Michael Jackson, who was being accused of child molestation at the time. The song also pokes fun at Beavis/Cornholio, MC Hammer, Madonna, and others. It also heavily spoofs Pee-wee Herman, going as far as imitating his signature shout during the chorus and Eminem dressing like him in the video.
"Cleanin' Out My Closet" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his album The Eminem Show (2002). "Cleanin' Out My Closet" was the second single released off the album following "Without Me" on July 29, 2002. Unlike the preceding single which was as his humorous Slim Shady persona, "Cleanin' Out My Closet" was a serious song inspired by the events of Eminem's childhood and relationships. It depicts Eminem venting his anger towards his mother, Debbie Mathers, for the way she raised him. In the chorus, Eminem sarcastically apologizes to his mother for hurting her and making her cry, but takes it back by showing the world what his mother, according to him, was like.
"The Way I Am" is a song written, produced, and performed by American rapper Eminem from his third album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). It was released as the second single from the album on August 26, 2000, later being featured on his 2005 compilation album, Curtain Call: The Hits. In the tradition of most of Eminem's follow-up singles, "The Way I Am" is one of the rare songs for which he has sole songwriting credit. It features a much darker and emotionally driven sound than the album's lead single "The Real Slim Shady". "The Way I Am" peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside the United States, "The Way I Am" peaked within the top ten of the charts in Belgium (Wallonia), Finland, Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
"When I'm Gone" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his first greatest hits album Curtain Call: The Hits (2005). It was released on December 6, 2005, the same day as the album was released, as the lead single.
Marshall Bruce Mathers III, known professionally as Eminem, is an American rapper. He is credited with popularizing hip hop in Middle America and is widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. His global success is considered to have broken racial barriers to the acceptance of white rappers in popular music. While much of his transgressive work during the late 1990s and early 2000s made him a controversial figure, he came to be a representation of popular angst of the American underclass and has been cited as an influence by and upon many artists working in various genres.
"Role Model" is a song by American rapper Eminem, that features on his major-label debut album The Slim Shady LP. The song also appears on the deluxe edition of his compilation album, Curtain Call: The Hits. Released as a single on May 26, 1999, following "My Name Is", a music video was made, using the heavily censored radio edit. It became a minor hit on the US charts.
"It Must Be Love" is a song written and originally recorded and released in 1971 by English singer Labi Siffre on his 1972 album Crying Laughing Loving Lying. It was also recorded by ska/pop band Madness in 1981.
Relapse is the sixth studio album by the American rapper Eminem. It was released on May 19, 2009, through Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records. The album serves as Eminem's return to original material since Encore (2004), following a four-year hiatus from recording due to his writer's block and an addiction to prescription sleeping medication from 2005 and 2007. Recording sessions for the album took place between 2008 and 2009 at several recording studios, and Dr. Dre, Mark Batson, and Eminem handled production.
"3 a.m." is a song by American rapper Eminem as the third single from his album Relapse. The single was produced by Dr. Dre. The song was released onto the iTunes Store on April 28, 2009. The music video was released on May 2 at 10:00 pm via Cinemax. The song was later included on Eminem's second greatest-hits album Curtain Call 2.
"Guilty Conscience" is a song by written, produced, and performed by American rapper Eminem featuring fellow American rapper Dr. Dre. It was released as the third and final single from the former's The Slim Shady LP (1999). It was also released on his 2005 greatest hits album Curtain Call: The Hits.
"Without Me" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fourth studio album The Eminem Show (2002). "Without Me" was released on May 13, 2002, as the lead single from the album, and re-released on his greatest hits compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits (2005). "Without Me" is one of Eminem's most successful singles, reaching number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and number one in fifteen countries.
Revival is the ninth studio album by American rapper Eminem. The album was released on December 15, 2017, through Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records and Interscope Records. Production for the album took place during 2016 to 2017 at various recording studios. In addition to Eminem himself, music production was handled by various record producers, including Rick Rubin, Fredwreck, Skylar Grey, Alex da Kid, and executive producer Dr. Dre. Revival features guest appearances from artists Beyoncé, Phresher, Ed Sheeran, Alicia Keys, X Ambassadors, Skylar Grey, Kehlani, and Pink.
"I Got The..." is a 1975 song by British musician Labi Siffre. It was the opening track of his fifth album, Remember My Song.
Remember My Song is the fifth studio album by British musician Labi Siffre. Released in 1975, it was the first of Siffre's two albums released that year, the other being Happy.
{{cite magazine}}
: Cite magazine requires |magazine=
(help)