Infinite (Eminem album)

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Infinite
File:Infinite (1996), by Eminem.png
Studio album by Eminem
Released November 12, 1996
Recorded 1995−1996
Genre Hip hop, Midwestern hip hop, underground hip hop
Length 37:54
Label Web Entertainment
Producer Mr. Porter
Eminem chronology
Soul Intent
(1995)Soul Intent1995		 Infinite
(1996)		 Slim Shady EP
(1997)Slim Shady EP1997
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 2.5/5 stars[1]
Rapreviews 5.5/10[2]

Infinite is the debut studio album by American rapper Eminem, released November 12, 1996, through Web Entertainment. The album was recorded at the Bass Brothers' studio, known as the Bassmint and produced by Mr. Porter and Proof. It features vocals from fellow rappers Proof, Mr. Porter, Eye-Kyu and Three. The album sold only about 1,000 copies, and is not available on any online music stores.

Infinite received mixed reviews from critics, who generally praised its lyrical content while criticizing the music production. While Eminem's future albums would prove far more successful, the rapper's debut has still gained some recognition in recent years.

Background and composition

Marshall "Eminem" Mathers was initially signed to FBT Productions in 1992, run by brothers Jeff and Mark Bass. Eminem also held a minimum-wage job of cooking and dish washing at the restaurant Gilbert's Lodge at St. Clair Shores for some time.[3] In 1996, Eminem's debut album Infinite, which was recorded at the Bassmint, a recording studio owned by the Bass Brothers, was released under their independent label Web Entertainment.[3] Eminem was encouraged by others, who noted he sounded similar to rapper AZ.[4] Mr. Porter produced the entire album, while Proof programmed the drums.[5]

Mathers purposely made Infinite's songs "radio-friendly" in hopes of getting on the air on Detroit radio stations.[5] It features vocals from fellow rappers Proof, Mr. Porter, Eye-Kyu, and Three.[6] Only around a thousand copies of the album were made.[7] Subjects covered in Infinite included his and his grandma's struggles with raising his newborn daughter Hailie Jade Mathers while on limited funds and his strong desire to get rich.[3] After the release of Infinite, Eminem's personal struggles and abuse of drugs and alcohol culminated in an unsuccessful suicide attempt.[8] In 2009, Thisis50.com re-released it as a free download on their website to build anticipation for Eminem's highly anticipated comeback album Relapse.[9]

Reception

Eminem recalls: "Obviously, I was young and influenced by other artists, and I got a lot of feedback saying that I sounded like AZ. Infinite was me trying to figure out how I wanted my rap style to be, how I wanted to sound on the mic and present myself. It was a growing stage. I felt like Infinite was like the demo that just got pressed up."[4] Allmusic gave it an "Editor Score" of 2.5 out of 5 stars, without a review.[10] Rob Kenner of Complex gave the album an unfavorable review, saying Eminem "has yet to develop his own distinctive style".[11]

Track listing

Track listing and credits taken from album booklet.[6]

No. Title Producer(s) Length
1. "Infinite"   Jeff Bass, Mr. Porter 4:04
2. "W.E.G.O." (Interlude) (featuring Proof & DJ Head) Jeff Bass, Mr. Porter 0:26
3. "It's O.K." (featuring Eye-Kyu) Jeff Bass, Mr. Porter 3:33
4. "Tonite"   Jeff Bass, Mr. Porter 4:14
5. "313" (featuring Eye-Kyu) Jeff Bass, Mr. Porter 3:46
6. "Maxine" (featuring Mr. Porter & Three) Jeff Bass, Mr. Porter 3:58
7. "Open Mic" (featuring Thyme) Jeff Bass, Mr. Porter 4:06
8. "Never 2 Far"   Jeff Bass, Mr. Porter 3:41
9. "Searchin'" (featuring Mr. Porter) Jeff Bass, Mr. Porter 3:48
10. "Backstabber"   Jeff Bass, Mr. Porter 3:26
11. "Jealousy Woes II"   Jeff Bass, Mr. Porter 3:20
Total length:
 37:54

Samples

Tonite

  • "Let This River Flow" by Googie and Tom Cappola

Maxine

Open Mic

Never 2 Far

  • "Right on Time" by Maze

"Backstabber"

"Jealousy Woes II"

References

  1. ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/album/infinite-mw0001243689
  2. ↑ http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_emineminfinite.html
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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