Things You Didn't Know About Eminem

#1 He Studied The Dictionary And Knows It By Heart

Nothing rhymes with orange, right? Eminem is so good with his lyrics that he has proven there are several ways to rhyme with the word orange. He has a way of breaking down words that is very unique. Considering he studied a dictionary to advance his vocabulary, it’s not a reach to say that Eminem is a lyrical genius! He knows almost every word in the Merriam-Webster dictionary and he can rhyme words with orange.

#2 His Childhood Was Very Tough

This is not a secret, and he has shown this in his movie 8 Mile and through his own music. Eminem had a very rough childhood. He grew up in a predominately black neighborhood, which didn’t take to kindly to the lone white kid who weighed about 65 pounds. His street was located deep in the Detroit slums. He was constantly picked on, and one time when he was 9, he was so badly beaten that he ended up in a coma for a week.

#3 The First Rap Song To Win An Oscar

Eminem has not only impressed the music industry with his talent, but also the movie industry. He had amazing acting skills in “8 Mile”. The movie was based loosely on his life and the fall of Detroit, and he was nominated for every major award the year it was released. He took home the Academy Award for the movie’s theme song. It was the first rap song ever to win an Oscar.

#4 He Has A Charitable Heart

Many people don’t associate Eminem with being a philanthropist, but you may be surprised that he has established many foundations and charities. One of the dearest one’s to him is the Marshall Mather’s Foundation. The foundation is geared towards helping at-risk youth in his home state of Michigan.

#5 His Mother Had A Rough Time Raising Him

Everyone knows how strained the relationship was between Eminem and his mom. But, many people don’t know what all she went through. She gave birth to Eminem when she was just 15 years old. The whole labor lasted 72 hours, and almost claimed his mother’s life.

When it comes to being drawn to music, it runs in Eminem’s family. His mother and father were actually in a band together, it was called Daddy Warbucks. Eventually, his father left Eminem and his mother to pursue a career in California. Chances are Em is having the last laugh.

#6 He Holds A World Record For Most Successive #1 Albums

A lot of people know that Eminem has his fair share of awards. But, you may be surprised to learn that he’s in the Guinness Book of World Records multiple times. The rapper earned the World Record for “Most Successive #1 Albums By A Solo Artist”. He also earned the world record for the most words in a song for “Rap God”. The song is 6 minutes and 4 seconds long and has 1,560 words. That’s an average of 4.28 words per SECOND!

#7 He Is A Lyrical Genius

While he was on the set of “8 Mile” Eminem wrote the lyrics to “Lose Yourself”. He would jot notes and lyrics down between takes and had it finished in days. And when it came time to perform the song, he stunned cast and crew by nailing all three verses in one take without ever rehearsing it.

We already know that Slim Shady is a lyrical genius, but a study showed that he has the best vocabulary in the game. Out of 93 artists in over 25 genres he was found to have the widest vocabulary, with 8,818 unique words. He beat 2nd place Jay-Z by nearly 2,000 words.

#8 He Held Several Minimum Wage Jobs Before Making It Famous

Slim didn’t sign his first record deal until 1992, and before then, things were tough. To make ends meet he worked as a dishwasher and cook at a small family restaurant. He brought in a salary of $5.50 an hour, so you can say things are a bit easier for him now!

He does have a strange addiction, however. He is obsessed with Diet Coke, but he’s very particular about it. He only likes Diet Coke from a fountain, because he tries to avoid the aspartame and cancer worries from canned soda.

#9

When Eminem bought his first big house with his first big royalty check, he didn’t know how famous he was. The house was on a busy main street, and he had to deal with a lot of crazy fans. It got so bad that he couldn’t even go outside his own home. He ended up selling the house and buying a more private property with the money.

He also purchased a home for his mother nearby, and then bought himself a few cars and other things he could have only dreamed of before his recording career kicked off. He says now that he spends very little and saves all his money for a rainy day.

#10 Bullied In School He Became A Dropout To Help Support His Mother

It’s not an excuse to give up school and become a rapper, but Eminem was a high school drop out. After failing 9th grade three times, his mother was ready to kick him out. She told him to either quit school and help her pay the bills, or he wouldn’t be allowed to stay with her anymore. It was an easy decision, which means Eminem only made it to 9th grade! He was being bullied by a group of kids, which made the decision easier.

In 1982, Eminem’s mom tried to sue his school after his bully, D’Angelo Bailey put him in a coma. Later, Bailey tried to sue Eminem for $1 million dollars, after he released the single “Brain Damage”. Bailey was the subject of the song and claimed it ruined his reputation.

#11 His Parents Once Had A Band Until His Father Left His Mother To Raise Him Alone

When it comes to being drawn to music, it runs in Eminem’s family. His mother and father were actually in a band together, it was called Daddy Warbucks. Eventually, his father left Eminem and his mother to pursue a career in California. Chances are Em is having the last laugh.

#12 He Was Addicted To Sleeping Pills & Vicodin

While working on the set of “8 Mile” Eminem was struggling to find time to sleep. This led him to begin taking prescription pills, which eventually lead to a dangerous addiction. At the height of his addiction, he was consuming up to 60 Vicodin pills a day.

#13 He Reached Out To His Mentor, Elton John

After an overdose of Methadone, Eminem decided enough was enough. So, when Eminem chose to get clean, one of the first people he called was Elton John. He says that Elton John has acted like a mentor, and even calls once a week to check on him. The two later recorded a song together and performed at various events, and for Elton's marriage, Em sent the happy couple matching cock rings.

#14 He Has Won 15 Grammys And Numerous Other Awards

When it comes to winning awards for your music, winning a Grammy is the height of acceptance in the music business. Not only has Eminem won a Grammy, but he has won 15! Not bad for a scrawny kid from Detroit who uses profanity and rhymes to express himself.

Eminem doesn't allow any cursing or swearing in his home, which is shocking if you know his music at all. He believes it is up to the parents to choose if a kid can listen to certain music or not, and he doesn't let his listen to his own songs.

#15 He Doesn't Know How To Use A Computer

The chances that Eminem is reading this article on his history is pretty slim itself. The rapper doesn't own a computer and claims he doesn't even know how to use one. He also admitted that if he ever did figure it out and go online he would lose his sanity reading any comments about himself. So he just stays away.