I have been in touch with another white rapper from Detroit via email whose name is ‘Backstab the Kingpin’. He had known Eminem before he was famous and here he talks about his former performances on stage.
The year was 1996, We were at a joint called Alvins near Wayne State University. I met Em’s manager (Mark Kempf) who connected me with the promoter of the event. I played him some of my songs in our car for him to verify that I was good enough to perform. He gave me the ok and allowed me to perform. Wayne state is on the outskirts of Detroits grimiest neighborhood known as the Cass Corridor. Its a small section of Detroit near the downtown area known for prostitution and crack sales. Em and I were the only white people in the entire building.
Back then, there was no doubt that Proof, Em’s current hypeman, was a complete racist, along with his fellow dreadlock partners. I was the first to take the stage that night. When I came out, the crowd instantly started booing me. the music hadnt even started, and they were booing. I hadnt even grabbed the mic yet and they screamed racial remarks at me. It was apparent it was because of my color. The beat dropped and i started, Most of the woman in the audience started to dance and scream. That only instagated the balck men in the audience to yella dn throw things at the stage. I think this may be where 8 mile might have derived from. the all black crowd hesitant to give some white kid a chance.
By the end of my show, I was escorted off stage for throwing things back at the crowd. The promoter said “man you better go out hte backdoor, unless you wanna get your ass beat to death” I was rushed out the back. I never got to see em perform that night but i heasrd from his manager aftyer seeing me he got real drunk and fell all over the stage and skipped his music alot. He was most likely scared. He showed up only with his girl and another couple. He had no fan base at all.
We exchanged cassettes that night. He gave me the slim shady ep, that had I just dont give a fuck and bonnie & clyde on it. I thought he was hot then and might find some success, but never imagined hed be what he is today. i have much more insite and etails about his camp, how they came up, who he chose to have around him, and what he did before he made it real big……..”