Released November 12, 1996 Length 37:54 Artist Eminem Producer Denaun Porter | Recorded 1995−96 Infinite
(1996) Slim Shady EP
(1997) Release date 12 November 1996 Label Web Entertainment | |
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Genres Hip hop music, Underground hip hop, Midwest hip hop Similar The Slim Shady LP, Recovery, The Marshall Mathers LP, Encore, The Eminem Show | ||
Eminem infinite 02 w e g o interlude
Infinite is the debut studio album by American rapper Eminem. It was released on November 12, 1996, by Web Entertainment. Recording sessions took place at the Bass Brothers' studio, known as the Bassmint Productions, with the production that was handled by Mr. Porter and Proof. The album features guest vocals from these fellow rappers Proof, Mr. Porter, Eye-Kyu, Three and Thyme, as well as singer Angela Workman on one track "Searchin'". The album failed to chart, and it only sold 1,000 copies, and is not available on any online music stores (the single is available on Apple Music and Spotify).
Contents
- Eminem infinite 02 w e g o interlude
- Eminem infinite
- Background and composition
- Reception
- Track listing
- Songs
- References
Infinite initially received mixed reviews from critics who praised its lyrical content, while criticizing the album's production. The rapper's debut album has still gained some recognition and retrospective acclaim, while Eminem's future albums would prove much more successful.
On November 17, 2016, five days after the 20th anniversary of the album, Eminem posted an official remaster of the first track "Infinite" to his Vevo channel, which was remixed by the Bass Brothers.
Eminem infinite
Background and composition
In 1992, the rapper initially signed with FBT Productions, which has been run by brothers Jeff and Mark Bass. Eminem also held a minimum-wage job cooking and washing dishes at Gilbert's Lodge restaurant at St. Clair Shores for some time. In 1996, Eminem's debut album Infinite was released under their independent label Web Entertainment. Eminem was encouraged by others, who noted he sounded similar to rapper AZ. Mr. Porter produced the entire album, while Proof programmed the drums.
Mathers purposely made Infinite's songs "radio-friendly" in hopes of getting on the air on Detroit radio stations. Featured vocalist are fellow rappers Proof, Mr. Porter, Eye-Kyu, Three, and Thyme as well as singer Angela Workman (in the chorus of "Searchin'"). Only around a thousand copies of the album were made. Subjects covered in Infinite included his and his grandma's struggles with raising Hailie Jade Mathers, Eminems newborn daughter while on limited funds and his strong desire to get rich. After the release of Infinite, Eminem's personal struggles and abuse of drugs and alcohol resulted in an unsuccessful suicide attempt. 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. On November 17, 2016, a remix of the album's title track "Infinite" was released in commemoration of the album's 20th anniversary, followed by a documentary about the making of the album on the same day.
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." Allmusic gave it an "Editor Score" of 2.5 out of 5 stars, without a review. Rob Kenner of Complex gave the album an unfavorable review, saying Eminem "has yet to develop his own distinctive style". Eminem's overall disappointment with the album's lack of success inspired him to develop his famous Slim Shady alter ego present in his later works.
Track listing
Track listing and credits taken from album booklet. All production was handled by Denaun Porter of D12.
Sample credits
Songs
1Infinite4:01
2WEGO
3It's OK3:29