Marshall Mathers, Eminem, Slim Shady – the best-selling rapper is known by a bunch of different monikers but there’s actually a weird conspiracy about the meaning behind his most famous name.
Known mostly as Eminem, the 50-year-old musician, actor and record producer is one of the world’s most acclaimed artists.
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Ever since he released his first song, ‘Just Don’t Give a F**k’ in 1998, Eminem’s music has developed into scathing critiques of popular culture, his addictions and his rather tumultuous relationship with his mum, Debbie Nelson.
Some fans of the ‘My Name Is’ hitmaker believe there’s a savage meaning behind his stage name and that it's actually an acronym.
One theory puts forward the idea that he got his stage name from his birth name. Both his first name and surname start with an M, hence M&M and eventually Eminem.
Meanwhile, the second theory suggests his stage name is a covert dig at his mum, with each letter standing for ‘Every Mother Is Nice Except Mine’.
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Ouch.
Early in his career Mathers went by the stage name MC Double M but before settling on his current name, he had performed at the age of 14 with high school friend Mike Ruby as “M&M” and “Manix” respectively.
It isn’t clear why Mathers decided to switch the spelling from M&M to Eminem, but it might have been to avoid confusing it with the famous chocolate treats of the same name.
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It’s no secret that the 8 Mile actor likes to diss people in his songs, including his own mum. Nelson once attempted to sue the rapper for an eye-watering $10 million (£7m) after claiming he had slandered her on The Slim Shady album and in interviews.
He first mentioned his mum on his 1999 single 'My Name Is', in which he claimed 'my mom smokes more dope than I do'.
She ended up filing a defamation lawsuit in 1999 - claiming the rapper was lying about his upbringing and slandering her.
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Two years later in 2001, Nelson was awarded a settlement, but the huge $10 million she'd demanded was shaved down $25,000 (£17,928).
Meanwhile, a final ruling from Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Mark Switalski found that of the $25,000, Debbie was entitled to just $1,600 (£1,147), with the rest of the dosh going to her lawyer Fred Gibson.
Eminem’s mom congratulated him when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame despite their turbulent relationship. "Marshall, I want to say, I could not let this day go by without congratulating you on your induction into the Hall of Fame," said Nelson. “I love you very much. I knew you'd get there. It's been a long ride. I'm very, very proud of you.”
Gregory Robinson