Benzino
Encyclopedia
Raymond Scott from Boston Massachusetts, better known by his
stage name Benzino is an American
hip hop media executive, and record producer
.
Along with David Mays, his partner for over 20 years, Benzino is known for being part of the Hip Hop magazine The Source
, which was launched in 1988 as a single sheet newsletter out of Mays’s Harvard University dorm room. Benzino is also known for being involved in a widely publicized feud with rapper Eminem
. He was also a founding member of several rap groups before finally becoming a solo artist.
. Benzino claimed that Eminem was "a product of the machine that sought to discredit black and Latino artists contributions to hip-hop". Benzino released a diss record called "I Don't Wanna" where he claimed that Eminem was not real and true to the rap culture. Benzino then made another diss track with "Pull up ya Skirt" which featured on his 2003 album. Redemption. Although Benzino didn't expect Eminem to respond, Eminem did with a track named "The Sauce". After releasing this, Eminem released another diss track
named "Nail in the Coffin". In "Nail in the Coffin" Eminem attacks the heart of The Source by revealing their tactics of "butt kissing, beggin' motherfuckers for guest appearances" and claiming "real lyricists don't even respect you or take you serious". Eminem continues to attack Benzino and his magazine. He mentions the fact that Benzino's older age makes him less competition and that he uses his son to help him financially as he suffers in the hip hop industry. Benzino then replied with the track "Die Another Day," to which Eminem did not respond. According to Eminem, the lyrical feud was no longer worth the effort; popular opinion had already placed him far in the lead. Eminem also felt that backing off would do more damage to his opponent, since Eminem's diss tracks had actually made Benzino more well-known than he had ever been in his rap career.
The Source later unearthed an old tape in which a young Eminem was rapping racial slurs against Black women. The magazine devoted its entire coverage to the discovery of the tapes, and also the (allegedly) negative impact that Eminem has had on the hip-hop industry. For his part, Eminem did not deny making the tapes; he claimed that he made them after a bitter break up with a black girlfriend (a situation upon which he elaborates on "Yellow Brick Road" on his Encore album). He apologized for making the tapes but also exhorted the public to consider the origin of the allegations.
In 2004 Eminem realsed a track called like toy soldiers and because of the song that Benzino said somthing bad about "Hallie" (eminem's daughter) he went crazy !!!!
Nevertheless, Eminem sued The Source for defamation and copyright infringement. The federal courts allowed an injunction to limit the distribution of the tape's lyrics. The Source ignored the injunction and went forth to publish the entire lyrics on its website and in its magazine. By ignoring the injunction, The Source was found in contempt of court and were forced to pay Eminem and his label, Shady Records
a considerable sum in compensation. In 2005, lawyers for Eminem were preparing for trial over copyright infringement but abruptly withdrew stating that the rapper no longer has any issue with The Source. Benzino still hasn't officially squashed the beef with Eminem. Mays and Benzino both countered the withdrawal of the lawsuit calling it a "cowardly" move. They both claimed they can finally expose the truth about Eminem and planned to eventually release the "racist tapes" in a future magazine. Nevertheless, The Source was satisfied with the results, and felt that the move was considered a win for both parties.
stage name Benzino is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hip hop media executive, and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
.
Along with David Mays, his partner for over 20 years, Benzino is known for being part of the Hip Hop magazine The Source
The Source (magazine)
The Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical, behind United Kingdom-based publication Hip Hop Connection. The Source was founded as a newsletter in 1988...
, which was launched in 1988 as a single sheet newsletter out of Mays’s Harvard University dorm room. Benzino is also known for being involved in a widely publicized feud with rapper Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
. He was also a founding member of several rap groups before finally becoming a solo artist.
The feud with Eminem
In 2002, Benzino started a feud with rapper EminemEminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
. Benzino claimed that Eminem was "a product of the machine that sought to discredit black and Latino artists contributions to hip-hop". Benzino released a diss record called "I Don't Wanna" where he claimed that Eminem was not real and true to the rap culture. Benzino then made another diss track with "Pull up ya Skirt" which featured on his 2003 album. Redemption. Although Benzino didn't expect Eminem to respond, Eminem did with a track named "The Sauce". After releasing this, Eminem released another diss track
Diss track
A diss track or diss song is a song primarily intended to disparage or insult another person or group. While musical parodies and attacks have always existed, the trend became increasingly common in the hip hop genre as part of the hip hop rivalry phenomenon...
named "Nail in the Coffin". In "Nail in the Coffin" Eminem attacks the heart of The Source by revealing their tactics of "butt kissing, beggin' motherfuckers for guest appearances" and claiming "real lyricists don't even respect you or take you serious". Eminem continues to attack Benzino and his magazine. He mentions the fact that Benzino's older age makes him less competition and that he uses his son to help him financially as he suffers in the hip hop industry. Benzino then replied with the track "Die Another Day," to which Eminem did not respond. According to Eminem, the lyrical feud was no longer worth the effort; popular opinion had already placed him far in the lead. Eminem also felt that backing off would do more damage to his opponent, since Eminem's diss tracks had actually made Benzino more well-known than he had ever been in his rap career.
The Source later unearthed an old tape in which a young Eminem was rapping racial slurs against Black women. The magazine devoted its entire coverage to the discovery of the tapes, and also the (allegedly) negative impact that Eminem has had on the hip-hop industry. For his part, Eminem did not deny making the tapes; he claimed that he made them after a bitter break up with a black girlfriend (a situation upon which he elaborates on "Yellow Brick Road" on his Encore album). He apologized for making the tapes but also exhorted the public to consider the origin of the allegations.
In 2004 Eminem realsed a track called like toy soldiers and because of the song that Benzino said somthing bad about "Hallie" (eminem's daughter) he went crazy !!!!
Nevertheless, Eminem sued The Source for defamation and copyright infringement. The federal courts allowed an injunction to limit the distribution of the tape's lyrics. The Source ignored the injunction and went forth to publish the entire lyrics on its website and in its magazine. By ignoring the injunction, The Source was found in contempt of court and were forced to pay Eminem and his label, Shady Records
Shady Records
Shady Records is an American record label specializing in hip hop music. Eminem and his manager Paul Rosenberg founded the label in 1999 after the release of The Slim Shady LP.Since the formation, the label has signed nine acts...
a considerable sum in compensation. In 2005, lawyers for Eminem were preparing for trial over copyright infringement but abruptly withdrew stating that the rapper no longer has any issue with The Source. Benzino still hasn't officially squashed the beef with Eminem. Mays and Benzino both countered the withdrawal of the lawsuit calling it a "cowardly" move. They both claimed they can finally expose the truth about Eminem and planned to eventually release the "racist tapes" in a future magazine. Nevertheless, The Source was satisfied with the results, and felt that the move was considered a win for both parties.
Solo discography
- 2001: The Benzino ProjectThe Benzino Project- Chart history :AlbumSingles- External links :* at Discogs* at MusicBrainz...
- 2002: The Benzino Remix ProjectThe Benzino Remix ProjectThe Benzino Remix Project is a collection of remixed songs from Boston, Massachusetts rapper Benzino, released June 18, 2002 on Elektra Records...
- 2003: RedemptionRedemption (Benzino album)Redemption is the second solo album by Boston, Massachusetts rapper Benzino, released January 14, 2003 on Elektra Records.-Background:...
- 2005: Arch NemesisArch Nemesis (Benzino album)Arch Nemesis is the third solo album by Boston, Massachusetts rapper Benzino, released February 22, 2005 on ZNO Records.- Background :...
- 2007: The AntidoteThe Antidote (Benzino album)The Antidote is the fourth solo album by Boston, Massachusetts rapper Benzino, released August 21, 2007 on 7th Floor Music.-Background:...
- 2011: Caezar