Eminem broke many boundaries when he came out at the turn of the millennium. With rude lyrics, obscene tales of violence and even domestic violence, the Detroit emcee (real name Marshall Mathers) was considered an unruly character.
During the early 2000s, Mathers spent a lot of time battling lawsuits against his mother and was involved in a case concerning a Detroit rap feud. Recently, as YSl rapper Young Thug faces ongoing legal issues, hip-hop has woken up to the prospect that courts may use rap lyrics as evidence and in 2001, a judge did precisely this to Eminem.
In June of that year, the ‘Stan’ rapper was dragged to court after receiving a charge about the possession of a weapon. The fiasco stemmed from a feud he was involved in with the Detroit rap group Insane Clown Posse.
Comprised of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, the hip-hop community didn’t respect the duo. However, for unknown reasons, Eminem found himself in an altercation with the pair in a parking lot that culminated in him pulling out a 9mm semiautomatic gun.
Although no shots were let off, with the situation as heated as it was, it appeared that Mathers had intent to use the gun and as such, Could have received a hefty five-year prison sentence. However, the emcee chose to plead guilty to charges of carrying a concealed weapon and brandishing a weapon. As such, the judge lowered his sentence to a year’s probation.
The judge, Denise Langford Morris, attributed it to a young Mathers’ powers of discernment, stating, “Poor judgment is an understatement for what you did. You are extremely lucky, sir, that no one was injured or killed.”
She also took into account his newfound fame. Following the trial, Eminem’s attorney, Wally Piszczatowski, stated, “He’s very pleased that the judge treated him like (she) would treat any other citizen … rather than sentencing him due to celebrity status. He’s just happy that the criminal cases are over.”
Strangely, during the case, the judge showed a bit of humour as, prior to the sentencing, she comically referenced ‘The Real Slim Shady’ as she said, “Mr. Mathers. Now is the time for you to please stand up.” Making light of the track’s chorus “Won’t the real Slim Shady please stand up.”
Eminem was also ordered to more than $2,300 in fines and court fees, and carry out set hours of community service. You can listen to ‘The Real Slim Shady’ below.
