Before groundbreaking albums like the Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show, there was the Eminem Infinite album. Unlike his other studio albums, Infinite showcases a young Marshall Mathers that is just beginning to hone his skills and lyrical abilities. While not as biting or controversial as later Eminem releases, the Infinite album is a great snapshot into an artist on the brink of success.
Eminem Infinite: Production and Reception
The Eminem Infinite album was released on November 12, 1996 under Web Entertainment. This release would become Eminem’s first full-length album. It was recorded with The Bass Brothers in their studio in Ferndale, Michigan during late 1995 and early 1996. Originally, there were only 100 vinyl records and 1,000 cassettes of Infinite produced. In fact, Eminem spent a good deal of time trying to sell the albums himself. When compared to later releases, one quickly notices that the Eminem Infinite album is much less controversial and edgy than later songs and albums. At the time, Eminem had wanted to earn some on air playing time through popular radio stations like WJLB. Thus, he had tried to create several radio friendly songs on the album. However, Eminem would later abandon this approach in favor of more experimental and stream of consciousness writing.
While it wasn’t well received among critics and some members of the rap community, the Eminem Infinite album was a chance for Marshall Mathers to explore his new persona and develop his abilities. While some initially expressed concerns that Eminem sounded too much like rappers AZ and Nas, this would inspire Eminem to further explore his own craft and flow. In his 2008 autobiography, “The Way I Am”, Eminem had this to say about Infinite: “I recorded Infinite in 1995, my first album. It sold maybe 70 copies and didn’t get great feedback,” he wrote. “A lot of people said it sounded like Nas, and he was a heavy influence at the time. But I had an album out, and I could say that. With The Slim Shady EP, it was a different story. That s*** got some buzz in the underground, and online sites couldn’t keep it in stock. I started getting calls about shows.”
While the Eminem Infinite album remained quite rare throughout the late 90s, it can easily be found online today. If you are a longtime fan of Eminem and have yet to experience the Infinite album, it is certainly worth a listen and you are highly encouraged to give it a shot. Now, to wrap things up, let’s take a look at the track listing for this album.
Eminem Infinite: Track Listing
1. “Infinite” Produced by Mr. Porter & Proof
2. “W.E.G.O.” (feat. Proof and DJ Head) Produced by DJ Head & Proof
3. “It’s OK” (feat. Eye-Kyu) Produced by Mr. Porter & Proof
4. “313″ (feat. Eye-Kyu) Produced by Mr. Porter & Proof
5. “Tonite” Produced by Mr. Porter & Proof
6. “Maxine” (feat. Mr. Porter and Three) Produced by Mr. Porter
7. “Open Mic” Produced by Mr. Porter
8. “Never 2 Far” Produced by Mr. Porter & Proof
9. “Searchin’” (feat. Eye-Kyu) Produced by Mr. Porter & Proof
10. “Backstabber” (feat. Proof) Produced by Mr. Porter & Proof
11. “Jealousy Woes II” Produced by Mr. Porter & Proof
Well, that about wraps up our discussion of this classic album. While Slim Shady would certainly expand and fine tune his style and delivery in later years, the Eminem Infinite album remains a powerful example of a young artist on his way to the top.