Month: September 2004

Kim Mathers seems to be in better health. She has even been released earlier to start her rehabilitation program in Minnesota.
According to the latest Michigan Court decision, Kim seems to be ready for her anti drugs treatment. The good news for her: if Kim manages to follow her 30 days rehabilitation program, she will be able to complete her two years of probation.
This time, Kim’s rehabilitation program will be a real test for her. After failing and dropping out several times, she will have to prove her good will and her ability to clean up her act.
Since her latest arrestation, Kim hasn’t been able to see Hailie. The fact that she probably misses her daughter might increase her will to get rid of her cocaine addiction. Of course, Kim Mathers is no angel. But she is not the monster some media are trying to picture her either. She’s a regular woman who has experienced a lot of difficulties in her life. Her addiction has certainly altered her vision of life and she will need some support and encouragements from her family.
Is Kim gonna make it?
Time will tell.

D12 concert review: September the 17th, Paris, Elysée Montmartre
After waiting for hours in the crowd under a very hot and burning sun, it is a real pleasure when you manage to be placed in the first row, just in front of the stage.
The first part of the show was a real surprise for most of us. It had been rumored that Slum Village would be touring with D12. Some last minute changes must have taken place for the first part of the show. French hip hop star Slay from Saian Supa Crew and his DJ introduced and animated the show with some pure sound exploits. A heavy sound demonstration welcomed the public.
But after a while many people in the crowd were very eager to see D12 act on stage and very soon Slay had no other choice than giving us a vocal interpretation of « Shit On You ». I liked his sense of humor, because he perfectly understood the crowd’s eagerness to see D12 show up on stage.
The atmosphere started to get really hot when the D12 crew entered. The 5 members (yes I know the « lead singer » was missing) got a warm ovation from a very enthusiastic public
The first to enter were Kuniva and Kon Artis, followed by the well known lyrical bomber Swifty.
The first songs to be played were « Shit Can Happen » and « Pistol Pistol ».
We had the great chance to see D12 perform some classics from « Devil’s Night » like Purple Pills, Fight Music and Pimp Like Me and even the well known « Under The Influence » from the Marshall Mathers LP. I happened to cross Swifty’s glance several times during the show while singing along.
The CD replaced Eminem’s voice where he was supposed to sing.
The purpose of the show was to fully appreciate the D12 emcees for their talent and their great sense of humor. Bizarre had a funny and colorful disguise.
The more touching discourse was Proof addressing to us fans and I would really like to give credit to him for the nice words he told us. He said that we D12 fans are among the realest fans and he is so right about it. He gave us lots of love and got a lot in return too. Derty Harry also cheered up with us, swallowing some Champaign on stage.
Before the « 40 oz » song started, it was funny to see the crowd encouraging Bizarre to guzzle his beer which he did very fast.
I dare joking in the middle of the show and shouting: « Where’s the lead singer of the band? »
I don’t know if my words were heard, but several minutes later, Bizarre introduced himself as the new « lead singer of the band » and we were encouraged to sing the chorus of « My Band ». It was wonderful to see the complicity that united us with the rappers. The show was entertaining and funny: Proof even thrower some water on Kon Artis while he was rapping.
Derty Harry and his fellows also announced their solo and common projects: the movie entitled « Runyon Cash has been confirmed, as well as Bizarre’s future solo album and of course it has been talked about both of Proof’s solo albums.
Other songs like « U R The One » and « D12 World » have also been performed with the public’s enthusiastic participation.
The concert closed with the great « How Come » song.
What else could I say about the D12 show in Paris?
The weak points of the show are following: there was a time schedule default.
Too much time has been lost on the first part of the show that obviously wasn’t programmed. Not all of the songs of D12 World have been played because of the lack of time which is certainly a weakness for a promotion tour.
Besides that, it was great, entertaining and the 5 D12 emcees gave the best of themselves in front of a warm and enthusiastic public. Of course, we all missed Eminem.
But I think people had also the opportunity to appreciate the D12 emcees for themselves and to prove Marshall wrong: yes, we know the names of the other D12 members and we fully appreciate their talent.
We also wish them back to Paris as soon as possible.

Before writing my D12 concert review, I gotta let a lot of rage out of my chest.
Before leaving for the show that had taken place on Friday the 17th of September, I had taken a sample of my (yet unpublished) Eminem biography and a floppy disk containing nearly all of my articles about D12’s solo and underground work.
I was determined to make another attempt to approach the D12 crew again in order to get my manuscript behanded to Eminem and also to show them my articles about their individual work. I was even convinced that it would be easier to approach them, knowing that Eminem wasn’t touring with them.
It is a well known fact that girls thinking with their pussies instead of their brains are advantaged to go backstage. So I wasn’t really surprised to see some slutty behaviors in front of my eyes-to my greatest disgust.
I have seen girls who were not even fans and who did not even speak English go backstage thanks to their nasty attitude.
Can you imagine that I managed to get a backstage pass and that I haven’t been able to meet the D12 yesterday evening? I can’t face going that far and not being able to meet them.
After hours of struggle before and after the show, trying to explain that I was a freelance music journalist and an Eminem biographer who had written some precise articles about D12’s solo work, I was waiting with some other people at the end of the show, trying to get backstage.
It suddenly looked like a miracle was going to happen for me: a nice girl who had been waiting with me since
the morning in front of the concert hall with me called me and gave me the so much wanted backstage pass a security guard had given to her. She hugged me and told me: « good luck ». I was really happy about that.
Me and a few other people were eager to go behind the scenes. Of course the sluttiest underage girls went first (you guessed it right). When we eventually wanted to go backstage, some people started to push us from all sides for some autographs from Kon Artis and Proof. Then the security guard forced them all to go outside of the concert hall… The very few people who remained (among them me), were refused the entry, despite the fact we had some valid passes and identity cards. I made a last attempt to talk to D12’s manager who sarcastically told me : « There is nothing I can do for you. » Sarcastic words that sounded like a big joke to me. Such people keep talking about promoting D12’s solo work and here is someone in front of them who keeps working on such D12 promotion and they are not interested? I won’t hide it: I have been disappointed by such an hypocritical attitude.
The cause I am fighting for is similar to the D12 crew’s fight: more recognition for some daily hard work.
I may have lost this battle; but I am determined to win the war. I am a determined person who never gives up: someday, I will manage to let Eminem know about the existence of my manuscript (some people from the French music label made me believe it had been behanded to Paul Rosenberg, but I know now that I have been lied to) and get this book published as a personal tribute to Marshall Mathers and for the greatest pleasure of my fellow fans. I will also share my specific articles with the D12 crew. Every moment is another chance and I will take it at the right moment.

And the winner is: Eminem. The last chapter in Benzino and Dave Mays’ worthless hate crusade against Eminem has eventually been written. With a good news for all the people who like Marshall Mathers: the Source has been outrapped by the talented rapper. The Source Magazine has been ordered to pay $131,388 to cover legal fees incurred in connection with a copyright lawsuit filed last December by Eminem. It seems like those fees are not the Source’s only legal problems:
It had been ruled, two months earlier, that the Source had violated a Court order that forbid the magazine a complete publication of Eminem’s « racist rhymes » . We know from Eminem that those rhymes were written just after a he had broken up with his black girlfriend and from Chaos Kid that they were « suckering rhymes » only aimed at the studio and not for publication in any case.
The Source’s owners lost their worthless war against Eminem. By trying to ruin his career, the truth has eventually been exposed and people who have investigated this affair as well as Marshall’s life story perfectly know that the talented rapper has never been a racist.
Now it’s time to cheer up, because justice has triumphed!

I will be travelling to Paris next Thursday for the D12 concert. I hope to come back with at least a D12 concert review. I’ll keep posting as usual when I will be back.

WE’VE heard about bum raps, but would the real Slim Shady please cover himself up.
Foul-mouthed US hip-hopper Eminem bared all on a recent midnight run in Los Angeles wearing nothing but his socks and trainers.
So why was Em, who turns 32 on Friday, letting it all hang out?
Apparently, it’s in aid of the video for his new single which appears on his fourth album, Encore, due out in November.
The rap star is no stranger when it comes to courting controversy. In the past he has been criticised for lyrics which have described drowning ex-wife Kim Mathers, killing mentor Dr Dre, and beating up rival gang members.
But this is his cheekiest move yet.

I recently managed to capture some lyrics from Eminem’s new song « Mosh » on Shadysoldiers.com.
Of course, those are just partial lyrics. But they clearly reveal Eminem’s anger and disgust about Bush’s policy.
Some people who pretend to be patriotic are sometimes shocked and describe Eminem as anti-American.
Some comment left on an Eminem board by a US marine who pretended to be an Eminem fan really angered me:
« Everyone pay close attention to what I’m about to say.
I want to start off by saying that I’ve been a fan of Eminems ever since he’s started his rap career, and I’ve listened to him up to now, and I’ll keep listening to him in the future. This situation with him making comments and disses towards President Bush have most definately become out of hand, and are in fact getting childish. Eminem is acting more immature than he ever has in his whole career. Everyone gets the point that he has no respect for the President, and it is clear that Eminem has become a disgrace as an American.
I’m a U.S. Marine, so I know what I’m talking about here people. I’m not saying everybody has been doing this, but I’m seen a lot of messages and posts lately saying “Vote for Kerry, because Eminem says so.” That’s the worse thing anyone could do. Also, about this song Mosh and it’s lyrics, Eminem is not helping the country by saying those things. He’s not in this war to get money, he’s doing it to protect our country from terrorists. I’ve been to IRAQ, and I’m proud to serve my country, and die for it. Eminem has no place to say anything for the U.S. Armed Forces, because he’s a Rapper, not a Soldier. Don’t believe the media, they’re only interviewing the dark side of that country. When I arrived there many of the Iraqi’s were so happy to see us, because they want their freedom from the terrorists. The terrorists are the ones that hate us, and if we don’t stop them, then they’ll keep on attacking our country, just like 911. That’s the reason why we’re in this war, because we’re protecting our country and this citizens within it. My father was also in the Marine Corp, and he was the first one ready to go into battle.
President Bush is a good man. He’s trying to do good things by protecting our country from terrorists. He’s not trying to get money, or trying to get people killed. He’s doing what is best for the country, and the American people. I’ve seen him in speak, with all my fellow Marines, along with many other families, and civilians. The military supports President Bush, and we are glad to have him as a President. The years that Clinton was in office didn’t help, because all the terrorists attacks that happened during his time, such as the attack on the U.S.S. Cole in October of 2000, they just built up. The Clinton Administration avoided confrontations with these attacks. There were soldiers killed on the U.S.S. Cole. How do you think their family members felt. I bet you they weren’t too happy about Clinton not doing a thing. The point is President Bush is doing what’s good for the American people, by protecting them from Terrorists. Kerry is not going to protect them. This election is more of a popularity contest to Kerry, as many people have said. Kerry is a person that would not get the job done, plus he doesn’t fund the military, so that’s not helping, as far as keeping terrorists out of the country.
Everyone needs to realize that this war has to be fought, otherwise terrorists are just going to keep coming into our country and making these terrible bombings. Bush is the person that will protect this country from terrorists. He’s not trying to get people killed. The U.S. military is commanded by President Bush. That’s why he is called the Commander and Chief. Personnel of the U.S. Armed Forces fight for their country, their freedom, and their family. I’m proud to be a part of the U.S. Armed Forces, and I’m proud to serve under President Bush. Do the right thing people. Vote for President Bush, he’s a good man, and he will do a better job than Kerry.
Once again, I’ve been a fan of Eminem for years, and I probably will be in years to come. There’s someone out their who needs to open everyone’s eyes. That’s what Eminem needs, his eyes to be opened. »
How can a man like him tell us that Eminem needs his eyes to be opened when himself is blinded with his ignorant patriotism? How can he dare questioning Eminem’s American citizenship because he is clearly opposed to Bush? Also, how does this man call him immature for having a different political view?
America needs courageous people like Marshall Mathers to show some opposition to President Bush. As far as I am concerned, Bush is the worst president America has ever had and who is ready to do anything possible to satisfy his hegemony will, no matter how many lives it will cost. Bush is not only a danger for America, he endangers the whole world with his stubborn attitude. A man who sends America’s children to a worthless Iraqi war with no concern for the so many civilian victims on both sides is not exactly what I would call a « good man ».
I guess some rightists will never admit that they are blinded with their conservative vision of the world.
Eminem is exactly the opposite of this US marine’s description. His lyrics to the brand-new song « Mosh » are here to open people’s consciences:
“Land of the free, Home of the brave
Bush makes it so the soldiers Home is a Grave
military life is emotions of grey
explosions smoke and rolling over boulders to stay
alive and they dive in the commotional way
parents cope with the pain, hope and they pray
its stupid to say
but its evident the president cares more about money then the youth of today”
Eminem wants you to understand that Bush is transforming America’s sons’ home into a huge cemetery. Young Americans sent to war live in a world of fear and constant explosions, death belongs to their daily landscape. Parents are also victims of such policy. What can replace a lost kid?
Marshall’s words are incisive and he goes straight to the goal: Bush’s interest for money is obvious, he doesn’t care about the youth.
Those things needed to be said. From the mouth of an American citizen.
A president acting like a dictator needs to be fought by courageous people. The whole hip hop movement is here to back Eminem against a government whose weaknesses are digging its own grave.
« Mosh » is a hot bomb that will be dropped on Bush’s government soon. Be ready for a great sensation. « Encore » promises to be explosive.