It doesn’t matter if you love him or not, Eminem is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in the music industry.
Rolling Stone magazine listed him as one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, even calling him the King of Hip Hop.
In 2018, Eminem is back making headlines again.
He dropped an album unlike any other artist in this age of constant news streams: There was not even a single word about it, no teaser on social media, no snippets anywhere, no promotional activities and not even an announcement of the release date.
Although it was a surprise album, Kamikaze, skyrocketed to number one on the US iTunes sales chart on Aug 31, the day it was released.
The rapper, who is known as a lyrical genius, once again proved his mastery with words and rhymes through Kamikaze.
Speaking of lyrics, here are 10 songs with inspirational lyrics from Eminem to motivate you from your slump:
1.Lose Yourself (2002)
We cannot talk about any of Eminem’s songs without talking about “Lose Yourself”. Music critics praised it as the rapper’s best work to date. Eminem wrote it for the 2002 movie 8 Mile. The song went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2003. It was the first hip hop song to win this award.
Look, if you had one shot, one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted
One moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip
2. ‘Till I Collapse (2002)
If you listen to this song closely, the song uses the “stomp-stomp-clap” beats in Queen’s “We Will Rock You” (1977). The song featured the late Nate Dogg singing the hook.
‘Cause sometimes you just fell tired, you feel weak
And when you feel weak you feel like you want to just give up
But you gotta search within you, you gotta find that inner strength
And just pull that shit out of you and get that motivation to not give up
And not be a quitter, no matter how bad you want to just fall flat on your face and collapse
3. Beautiful (2009)
Eminem is known to sample songs from other artists in his tracks. In “Beautiful”, he samples Queen + Paul Rodgers’s “Reaching Out” at the beginning and end of this song.
But don’t let ‘em say you ain’t beautiful
They can all get f****d, just stay true to you
Don’t let ‘em say you ain’t beautiful
They can all get f****d, just stay true to you
4. Phenomenal (2015)
This song is from soundtrack album for Southpaw, a movie starring Jake Gyllenhaal. From the lyrics to its beats, the track is indeed phenomenal.
I am phenomenal
However long that it takes
I’ll go to whatever lengths
It’s gonna make me a monster though
I am phenomenal
But I never say, oh, it’s impossible
‘Cause I’m gonna be phenomenal
5. The Way I Am (2000)
“The Way I Am” presents the darker side of Eminem. He directed the lyrics toward record executives who pressured him and fans who invaded his privacy, telling them he is the way he is.
So if you need to scream at people who would not leave you alone, sing this song chorus instead.
And I am, whatever you say I am
If I wasn’t, then why would I say I am
6.Not Afraid (2010)
This track takes more of a positive tone in which Eminem raps about getting clean from drugs and staying away from violence. Rolling Stone ranked it as one of the best 100 songs in 2010.
I’mma be what I set out to be, without a doubt undoubtedly
And all those who look down on me, I’m tearin’ down your balcony
7. Guts over Fear (2014)
“Guts over Fear” is the second time Eminem collaborated with Australian singer Sia after “Beautiful Pain”(2013). Again, the rapper in his all honesty sharing his struggles as an artist through this song.
Guts over fear (The Time is here)
Guts over fear (I shall not tear)
For all the times I let you push around
And let you keep me down
(Now I got) Guts over fear, guts over fear
8. Kings Never Die (2015)
When you are on top of your game, many people would try to bring you down. In this song, Eminem hits out on those who wanting him to retire from the music scene. It also marks Eminem and Gwen Stefani’s first collaboration.
Stop for no one, I don’t know but I’ve been told an obstacle that
Blocks your road, knock it over, time to go for that pot of gold
9. Survival (2013)
Apart from movies, Eminem’s songs has also been featured in games. Survival was released to promote the game Call of Duty: Ghosts. It features Liz Rodrigues of The New Royales singing the chorus of the song.
It ain’t over ‘til I say it’s over, enough when I say enough
Throw me to them wolves and close the gate up on me
Afraid of what’ll happen to them wolves
When the thought of being thrown into an alligator pit, I salivated it
10. No Love (2010)
“No Love” was one of Eminem’s single from his seventh album. Featuring fellow rapper Lil Wayne, the song samples Haddaway’s classic “What is Love”.
‘Til I’m toppling from the top I’m not going to stop, I’m standing on my Monopoly board
That means I’m on top of my game and it don’t stop, ‘til my hip don’t hop anymore
When you’re so good that you can’t say it ‘cause it ain’t even cool for you to sound cocky anymore
