does eminem matter? On assignment for his first cover story for Rolling Stone, the very first national cover story on Eminem, Anthony Bozza met a young blond kid, a rapper who would soon take the country by storm. But back in 1999, Eminem was just beginning to make waves among suburban white teenagers as his first single, “My Name Is,” went into heavy rotation on MTV. Who could have predicted that in a mere two years, Eminem would become the most reviled and controversial hip-hop figure ever? Or that twelve months after that, Eminem would sit firmly at the pinnacle of American celebrity, a Grammy winner many times over and the recipient of an Oscar. did eminem change or did america finally figure him out? Whatever You Say I Am attempts to answer this question and many more. Since their first meeting, Bozza has been given a level of access to Eminem that no other journalist has enjoyed. In Whatever You Say I Am, original, never-before-published text from Bozza’s interviews with Eminem are combined with the insight of numerous hip-hop figures, music critics, journalists, and members of the Eminem camp to look behind the mask of this enigmatic celebrity. With an eye toward Eminem’s place in American popular culture, Bozza creates a thoughtful portrait of one of the most successful artists of our time. This is so much more than a biography of a thoroughly well-documented life. It is a close-up look at a conflicted figure who has somehow spoken to the heart of America.
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"This is another good book at give you a good inside look on the life of Eminem a.k.a "Slim Shady" How he struggled and let his passion for rap and hip-hop lead his straight oout of the gutter and to the top of the hip-hop charts."
— Augustin (5 out of 5 stars)
" The life and times of Eminem. I found it to be more about the times and less about his life. An informing read if you are interested in the history of music and hip hop and how one man has influenced it. "
— Teri, 1/3/2014" Decent biography. A bit sloppy with the presentation and organization. Jumped around too much. Good quotes by notable writers and music artists. I think I'd like to find an updated Eminem bio, and one done a little better. "
— Justin, 12/29/2013" Its a book all about Eminem.. Need I say more? :) "
— Tina, 11/28/2013" I like this book because it came out when Eminem was good! "
— Alex, 10/16/2013" Most of the stuff I already knew, it wasn't full of anything worth buying it for. Look forward to Marshall's book that he actually wrote himself. "
— Kay, 10/12/2013" Meh. The author could have done something do good with this book but it was, overall, boring. I knew the stuff he actually wrote about Eminem and didn't care about the hip hop history lesson. "
— Kandice, 10/7/2013" A very good biography of rapper Eminem. Its very detailed and imforming. Recommended ages are 14 and up. "
— Dylan, 10/5/2013" awesome, awesome book. the only authorized bio "
— Megan, 8/25/2013" his life is so fasinating! "
— Harley, 1/6/2013" I'm not fan of Eminem. I just read this for something different. I thought Bozza's hero worship of Eminem was a bit much, but overall the book was interesting. "
— Laura, 7/22/2012" My Marshal loving days :). i was a big fan. A well-written biography. "
— Dee, 5/7/2012" I thought this was going to be a biography about Eminem. It's pretty much a reporter following him around and occasionally throwing out some back story. "
— Melanie, 4/19/2012" This was a good book overall. i'd Suggest that you should read it if you're a BIG Eminem fan because you'll learn a lot about his life. "
— Alexandra, 4/18/2012" What sounded like a biography of Eminem seemed to be of a on the road trip with Em.The author digs into his past and reflects on his rise as a white man more.Overall it was a okay read nothing to write home about "
— Rushay, 3/11/2012" If you're into his music or simply interested in learning more about his life, then this book is worth the time. "
— Laura, 1/27/2012" Not as good as I though it could've been. I didn't like how it wasn't written from Em's perspective. It's basically just the writer reflecting on what he experienced on the road with Em. "
— Ldvk, 7/6/2011" A very good biography of rapper Eminem. Its very detailed and imforming. Recommended ages are 14 and up. "
— Dylan, 5/15/2011" This was a good book overall. i'd Suggest that you should read it if you're a BIG Eminem fan because you'll learn a lot about his life. "
— Alexandra, 5/3/2011" Research for "African American Review solicits articles applying the tools of literary theory and criticism to hip hop artistry."<br/><br/><br/>HORRIBLY organized and a chore to read. I stuck with it to mine it for quotations... "
— Adam, 9/29/2010" My Marshal loving days :). i was a big fan. A well-written biography. "
— Dee, 4/23/2010" If you're into his music or simply interested in learning more about his life, then this book is worth the time. "
— Laura, 1/11/2010" The life and times of Eminem. I found it to be more about the times and less about his life. An informing read if you are interested in the history of music and hip hop and how one man has influenced it. "
— Teri, 11/5/2009" Most of the stuff I already knew, it wasn't full of anything worth buying it for. Look forward to Marshall's book that he actually wrote himself. "
— Kay, 1/27/2009Anthony Bozza is a former Rolling Stone staff writer and author of the New York Times bestsellers Whatever You Say I Am: The Life and Times of Eminem; Tommyland with Tommy Lee; and Slash with Slash. He lives in New York City.
Josh Hamilton was born in New York City, New York. His Broadway credits include Proof, The Cider House Rules, and The Coast of Utopia, and his films include Kicking and Screaming, The House of Yes, Alive, Online, and Outsourced. Josh has narrated several audiobooks, including Lando by Louis L’Amour and Stoner & Spaz by Ron Koertge. He and his wife Lily have one child.