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Man of 2002:
Eminem
He's rude, he's opinionated, he's psychologically damaged.
And that's why Eminem is my choice for Man of the Year.
Besides the obvious lust I have for the man (which totally comes from talent, I swear), Eminem has ruled this year. His triple-threat - whether it's being an MC, working behind the scenes (he's currently producing D12 and Obie Trice's next efforts), or acting alongside Kim Basinger and Mekhi Phifer - is sure to keep him in the spotlight for years to come.
There has been enough said about the man to fill up twenty biographies. You either love him or you hate him, but you can't deny that he doesn't have talent. And that he's kinda funny. Of course, I would never condone his misogynistic lyrics or childish feuds, but I've never been much of a censorship type of person. He's proven countless times that he thrives on adversity and comes out the winner. He's repeatedly admitted that if people didn't pay so much attention to what he was doing, he wouldn't be as famous as he is now.
The Eminem Show was his best effort to date, and showed fans that Eminem is growing up, with his music and his life. He swept numerous award shows, and the same critics who hated him are now singing his praises. He's always marched to his own beat, which set him apart from all the others. It's no secret that I loathed him, but after reviewing The Eminem Show I saw him in a new light. His distinct rapping style and innovative approach to music screamed, "I'm not afraid anymore!" That, or maybe, "Screw you all!"
8 Mile showcased his talent as an actor, as he danced circles around his supporting cast. Taking a page from the school of Tupac method acting, he played Jimmy, a struggling rapper living in Detroit. He didn't have to look far for inspiration, but despite that, he still pulled off an amazing performance and really channeled his inner-angst. His performance was riveting, to say the least, and even though he slept with Brittany Murphy, he was still a likeable character. He even dyed his hair back to brown for the part. Now, is that not acting?
One day, inevitably, all the fame will swallow him up and spit him out, until he's reduced to signing autographs at a local mall. Or maybe, just maybe, Eminem can surpass his own celebrity to become an icon in the music industry. He'll certainly be remembered as one of the most influential rappers of this decade. For now, he's got 2002 wrapped around his finger. ¤ C.Ho.
[ Find out who Michelle deemed as her Man of the Year. ]