Whatever You Say I Am: The Life and Times of Eminem

✍ Scribed by Bozza, Anthony

• Book ID: 106886331
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press
• Year: 2003
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 5 MB
• Category: Fiction
• ISBN-13: 9781400053803

✦ Synopsis

From Publishers Weekly

The demand for all things Eminem is big, and rock journalist Bozza aims to fill in the gaps with some personal notes of his own. Culling from his own past interviews with the often-reviled rapper, Bozza's portrait begins four years ago, when he first met and interviewed 27-year-old Marshall Mathers III. He stumbled upon a young man growing into his fame and struggling with the demons of his past life. Eminem's music-propelled by Dr. Dre's beats and Mathers's own controversial lyrics-gave rise to a new era. But it was before this big break, before the awards, movie offers and protests, that Bozza met and connected with Eminem. The two would become irrevocably linked-Bozza gained prominence after writing a remarkable in-depth piece on Em for Rolling Stone, which took the cover and helped catapult the artist to superstardom. It is Bozza's relationship with Eminem that lends credibility to this bio, as well as his ability to fold personal reminiscence into longer analytical sections on Eminem's life, the Detroit rap scene and pop culture. Bozza's unprecedented access to Mathers then and now has given rise to one of the only fully honest accounts of the now brilliant star.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The sine qua non of white rappers gets star treatment by Rolling Stone-r Bozza. Eminem's ''sense of timing and image management are nothing short of exceptional,'' you see, and he ''lives in the world he dreamed of . . . when he birthed [musical alter ego] Slim Shady,'' which is supposed to be a compliment to Eminem's grasp on reality. Still, this is a serious enough book, crammed with facts and the musings of its subject. Yes, it is legend-making stuff, urgently delivered and pretty constantly giving the subject more than his ''props'' as Bozza dotes on the oh-so-awesome importance of the Great White Rapper's every act. But as the rap analog of Elvis (the white guy who sounds black), Eminem commands a huge audience, and as they did with the King, informed observers (the critics) debate his musical value and import. Oh, what the heck, get the book, display it, and reel in some of the highly prized YA breeder-male demographic. Hey, it's only rock and roll (and they like it). Mike Tribby
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