Infinite (Eminem album)

Infinite

Cassette Album Cover
Studio album by Eminem
Released November 12, 1996
Recorded 1995−96
Genre
Length 37:54
Label Web Entertainment
Producer Mr. Porter
Eminem chronology
Infinite
(1996)		 Slim Shady EP
(1997)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Rapreviews5.5/10[2]

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.

Infinite initially received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its lyrical content, while criticizing the album's production. While Eminem's future albums would prove much more successful, the rapper's debut album has still gained some recognition and retrospective acclaim.

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, with the remix produced by the Bass Brothers.

Background and composition

In 1992, Marshall "Eminem" Mathers 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.[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] Featured vocalist are fellow rappers Proof, Mr. Porter, Eye-Kyu, Three, and Thyme as well as singer Angela Workman (in the chorus of "Searchin'").[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 Hailie Jade Mathers, Eminems newborn daughter 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 resulted 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] 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."[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] 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.[6] All production was handled by Denaun Porter of D12.

No. TitleProducer(s) Length
1. "Infinite"  Mr. Porter 4:01
2. "W.E.G.O." (featuring Proof and DJ Head)Mr. Porter 0:26
3. "It's O.K." (featuring Eye-Kyu)Mr. Porter 3:29
4. "Tonite"  Mr. Porter 3:43
5. "313" (featuring Eye-Kyu)Mr. Porter 4:11
6. "Maxine" (featuring Mr. Porter and Three)Mr. Porter 3:55
7. "Open Mic" (featuring Thyme)Mr. Porter 4:02
8. "Never 2 Far"  Mr. Porter 3:38
9. "Searchin'" (featuring Mr. Porter and Angela Workman)Mr. Porter 3:45
10. "Backstabber"  Mr. Porter 3:24
11. "Jealousy Woes II"  Mr. Porter 3:19
Total length:
 37:54
Sample credits

References

  1. ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/album/infinite-mw0001243689
  2. ↑ http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_emineminfinite.html
  3. 1 2 3 Bozza, Anthony (2003). Whatever You Say I Am: The Life and Times of Eminem. New York, New York, United States: Crown Publishing Group. ISBN 1-4000-5059-6.
  4. 1 2 "Eminem biography". Eminem.com. Interscope Records. Archived from the original on February 13, 2008. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
  5. 1 2 Ryon, Sean (April 21, 2012). "Mr. Porter Talks Debut Album "tHe mEmO," Eminem's First Album "Infinite"". Hip Hop DX. IPC Media. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  6. 1 2 Infinite (CD liner). Eminem. United States: Web Entertainment. 1996. 0382556977426.
  7. ↑ Padania, Jesal "Jay Soul" (August 12, 2008). "Eminem: Infinite". Rap Reviews. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  8. ↑ Ankeny, Jason; Torreano, Bradley. "Eminem – Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved January 30, 2008.
  9. ↑ "Eminem's rare debut album released free online". NME. May 14, 2009. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Infinite - Eminem". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  11. ↑ Kenner, Rob (November 12, 2013). "Eminem "Infinite" (1996)". Complex. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
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