EMINEM; Not a Commodity
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Published: June 16, 2002

To the Editor:

Re ''Eminem III: Now He's a Franchise'' by Jon Pareles [June 2]:

Eminem's latest album, ''The Eminem Show,'' is not, as Mr. Pareles writes, the emergence of another tired franchise. It is a rap album. What Mr. Pareles calls a shtick is actually an introspection and wonder that have rarely been seen in the genre.

Though his interests may appear to be strictly commercial, no one has done more than Eminem to turn a once-stifled art form into something fresh, alive and limitless. It is Mr. Pareles's article that is a commodity: Eminem as a Sunday afterthought, digestible and unthreatening.

MICHAEL CLARK
Woodstock, Vt.
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WHAT THE FUCK? How many people thought that before eminem came along rappers didnt do anything different? I really must know.

never thought of that. emenim probably affected most newbies and caused those of more experience to be like oh shit this cat elevated to the fullest better get on my lovable job. but i do see as the reason beef occured.

I just don't like how they're acting like rap was absolutely nothing before he came out. It's bullshit to me that they basically disrespected all the great rappers that did so much for the game.