Not Afraid: The Shady Records Story Ft. Eminem, 50 Cent, & Dr. Dre

Fifteen years ago, the world was introduced to a rapper from Detroit named Eminem, and hip-hop hasn’t been the same since. 

Image Credit: Complex.com

Last year, Eminem and Paul Rosenberg celebrated the 15 year anniversary of their label, Shady Records, with the release of the compilation album Shady XV. The album was a double disk, one side filled with new material and the other filled with Shady's greatest hits. While the album provided a neat summary of the label's history, it didn't really tell the story of how Shady Records came to be and what it achieved during it's 15 year run. 

This documentary is an in-depth look into not only Eminem's career, but also the careers of the all the artists' who graced the label over the years.There are interviews with Dr. Dre, and the man who Em helped turn into a superstar, 50 Cent, Mr. Porter and Royce Da 5'9. This documentary is the definitive look into how one of the rap's greatest stars came to be.

The 32-minute film, which was shot in Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York, chronicles how Shady Records became one of the most dominant labels of the 2000s.

Eminem talks about his humble beginnings and how he went from struggling local rapper to an international superstar. But once Em's career took off, that's when things really started to get interesting as Shady brought artists like D12, Obie Trice, and 50 Cent into the fold. After a few missteps and a step back from music in the late 2000s, Shady entered the 2010s with new acts like Slaughterhouse and Yelawolf. 

“Within the next 15 years, we’ll try to keep shit going and try to sign new exciting acts. Hopefully discover the next whatever,” said Eminem.

Watch the entire documentary here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se9kiTUqdFo

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO