Artist Spotlight: Eminem

As infamous as he is famous, Eminem (a.k. Slim Shady, a.k.a Marshall Mathers) is one of the most influential MCs ever.

Em put Detroit Rock City back on the map in 1999 with the release of the triple platinum The Slim Shady LP. Featuring heavy production by Dr. Dre and singles “Guilty Conscience”, “’97 Bonnie and Clyde”, and “My Name Is”, this album introduced the world to Eminem’s lyrical skill and his controversial style.

The Marshall Mathers LP followed in 2000 and broke records set by Snoop Dogg for fastest selling hip hop album and Britney Spears for fastest selling album by a solo artist. Marshall insulted several celebrities, including Christina Aguilera and NSYNC, in “The Real Slim Shady.” Other songs include “The Way I Am” and “Stan”, featuring a Dido sample and often voted as one of the best rap songs ever.

The Eminem Show became Eminem’s third straight album to win the Grammy for best rap album, driven by singles “White America”, “Without Me”, and “Cleanin’ Out My Closet.”
Encore, another platinum album, dropped in 2004 and features “Mockingbird”, “Just Lose It”, and “Mosh.”

In 2009, Eminem ended his 5 year hiatus from rap and hip hop with the release of new songs “Crack a Bottle” (with Dr. Dre and 50 Cent) and “We Made You,” the video which again parodied several celebrities such as Bret Michaels and Amy Winehouse.
Marshall also is an actor, appearing in 8 Mile and lending his voice to 50 Cent’s video game.

So “Crack A Bottle”, or at least download the ringtone.

March’s Top Artists and Ringtones

Top Artists:

Lil Wayne

1. Lil Wayne – Having been featured on more artists’ records in the last two years than any other artist in the game, Lil Wayne’s been a lil busy. He ain’t so “lil”, though, when you consider that an MTV poll named him Hottest MC, GQ named him one of its Men of the Year, and Blender magazine named him Best Rock Star Alive.

2. Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em – He is among the youngest of the new generation of rap stars, and there is still some debate as to whether he will lead a new movement in rap, or will spiral into obscurity following the wild success of his first single, ‘Crank That,’ which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Eminem

3. Eminem – Some folks are demanding that Marshall Mathers give his “ghetto pass” back, after he parodied Michael Jackson. But c’mon – Eminem very well might be the most prolific and successful atirist we have living today. If you’re famous, just accept the fact that Eminem is going to make fun of you. That, or stop being famous.

Rihanna

4. Rihanna – She brought her own unique musical stylings from her home country of Barbados, and she’s made good use of them here. With a string of hits and a body that would make just about anyone envious, she’s one hot item. As a side note: some idiot called her the “next Britney Spears.” We don’t think so.

Keri Hilson

5. Keri Hilson – Keri Hilson’s first single dropped in ’08, but she’d already been making hits for years. Oh you didn’t know? She’s been writing hits for artists like Ludacris for years, as well as appearing in videos for Ne-Yo and Nelly. Though she had made a name for herself as an arranger and background vocalist, in 2008, Hilson decided to stop creating great songs for others and start doing her own. Her popular singles included “Return the Favor” (with Timbaland), as well as “Energy” and “Turnin’ Me On” (with Lil’ Wayne), both of which charted on Billboard Top 100.

50 Cent

6. 50 Cent - You know his story: Former drug dealer from Jamaica, Queens. Shot 9 times. Discovered by Dr. Dre and Eminem. Recorded the ultimate club banger, “In Da Club.” Got rich and might die trying to spend it all. 50 has built an empire by establishing interests with Reebok, Vitamin Water, movies, video games, Right Guard deodorant, condoms, and even his own book publishing company, G-Unit Books. Mentored by Jam Master J of Run D.M.C. , 50 released his mainstream debut Get Rich or Die Tryin’ in 2003. It debuted at #1 and the lead single, “In Da Club” broke the record for most listened to radio song in its first week. “21 Questions” (with Nate Dogg) and “P.I.M.P. (Remix)” (with G-Unit and Snoop Dogg) followed. The Massacre followed and sold 1.3 million copies in its first four days, one of the fastest selling albums of all time. 50 became the first solo artist to have 3 singles in the Billboard top 5 in the same week, with “Candy Shop”, “Disco Inferno”, and “How We Do.” Curtis was released in 2007 and debuted at #2, behind Kanye West’s Graduation. “Ayo Technology” (with Justin Timberlake) was featured on this album. As famous for his beefs as for his music, 50 has feuded with several hip hip and rap artists including Fat Joe, Rick Ross, Nas, Jadakiss, The Game, Cam’ron, Lil’ Wayne, and many more.

Akon

7. Akon – Raised in Senegal, Africa, R&B sensation Akon rose to fame in 2004 following the release of “Locked Up” from his debut album Trouble. His second album, Konvicted, earned a Grammy Award nomination for the single “Smack That,” but the #1 hit “Don’t Matter”.

Ne-Yo

8. Ne-Yo – This half-African-American, half-Chinese-American, in addition to writing songs for Rihanna, Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and Celine Dion, has also had a string of hits himself.

9. The All-American Rejects -While they may be called The All-American Rejects, they’ve been accepted by most of America. Their first self-titled album is certified platinum, driven by the single, “Swing, Swing” which was heard all over the radio and in film in 2002. The Rejects doubled their success in ’05 with their second album, Move Along, which went double platinum. Songs like “Dirty Little Secret”, “Move Along”, and “It Ends Tonight” were featured in everything from video games to reality shows to sports games. Tyson Ritter and the boys were pop culture staples. Three years later, their third studio album, and one of the most anticipated of the year, When the World Comes Down, was released. “Give You Hell” was the first single released, and the most successful AAR song to date, peaking in the Billboard Top 10. “Mona Lisa (When the World Comes Down)”, “Breakin’”, and “Another Heart Calls” are also featured on the album.

Taylor Swift

10. Taylor Swift – How does one break into the country music scene? Apparently one way is to write a song named after another country music star. That’s what Taylor Swift did with the song ‘Tim McGraw.’ Not to be a one hit wonder, though, Swift has followed up her self-titled debut album with sophomore album, Fearless, that debuted at the number one spot on the Billboard 200.

March Top Ringtones:
1. Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em – Kiss Me Thru The Phone
2. Eminem – Crack A Bottle (feat. Dr. Dre and 50 Cent)
3. Keri Hilson – Turnin Me On [Lil Wayne Verse]
4. The All-American Rejects – Gives You Hell
5. Bobby Valentino feat. Yung Joc – Beep
6. Yung LA – Ain’t I (feat. Young Dro and T.I.)
7. Rihanna – Disturbia
8. Ne-Yo – Mad
9. Lady Gaga – Poker Face
10. The-Dream – Rockin’ That Thang

Flycell Announces Top 10 Ringtone Downloads for November 2008

Top Artists:

Lil Wayne1. Lil Wayne – Having been featured on more artists’ records in the last two years than any other artist in the game, Lil Wayne’s been a lil busy. He ain’t so “lil”, though, when you consider that an MTV poll named him Hottest MC, GQ named him one of its Men of the Year, and Blender magazine named him Best Rock Star Alive.

Akon2. Akon – Raised in Senegal, Africa, R&B sensation Akon rose to fame in 2004 following the release of “Locked Up” from his debut album Trouble. His second album, Konvicted, earned a Grammy Award nomination for the single “Smack That,” but the #1 hit “Don’t Matter”

Jay-Z3. Jay-Z – Grow up with prominent rap artists like Biggie Smalls and Busta Rhymes + master the art of composing lyrics spontaneously + announce that you’re retiring, then release a new album to record-setting sales = PROFIT. And what to do with that profit? Why, buy an NBA team and marry Beyonce. He’s got 99 Problems, but a bitch ain’t one…

Rihanna4. Rihanna – She brought her own unique musical stylings from her home country of Barbados, and she’s made good use of them here. With a string of hits and a body that would make just about anyone envious, she’s one hot item. As a side note: some idiot called her the “next Britney Spears.” We don’t think so.

Ludacris5. Ludacris – According to Ludacris’s buddy Bill O’Reilly, the Illinois-born rap star HAS NOT sold more than 13 million records stateside, so that now he’s the rapper with the most Top 40, Top 25 and Top 10 hits of all time, according to Billboard magazine. Shows why you shouldn’t listen to Bill O’Reilly.

50 Cent6. 50 Cent – This guy’s life was set up to be a violent, dismal failure from the minute he popped out of his 15-year-old drug-dealing mother. But it wasn’t. Sure, he’s been in and out of jail. Sure, he got shot nine times. But despite all the controversy surrounding him, 50 Cent is one the most successful artists in Hip Hop.

Kanye West7. Kanye West – In the span of a few years, from 2001 to 2004, Kanye West went from hip-hop beatmaker to worldwide hitmaker, as his stellar production work for Jay-Z earned him a major-label recording contract as a solo artist. Soon his beats were accompanied by his own witty raps on a number of critically and commercially.

Ne-Yo8. Ne-Yo – This half-African-American, half-Chinese-American, in addition to writing songs for Rihanna, Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and Celine Dion, has also had a string of hits himself.

Kevin Rudolf & Lil Wayne9. Kevin Rudolf & Lil Wayne – At first glance, Kevin Rudolf’s enigmatic anthem “Let It Rock (featuring Lil Wayne)” seems to have air–dropped over radio out of nowhere, becoming a genre–defying game–changer that has put the alluring artist smack in the cross–hairs.

Young Jeezy10. Young Jeezy – Like many of his contemporaries, Young Jeezy started out dealing drugs, and nowadays likes to carry guns around and get into feuds with other rap artists. But Jeezy’s a philanthropist as well, opening his home to victims of Katrina as just an example.

Top Ringtones:

1. “Im So Paid (feat. Lil Wayne)” by Akon

2. “Swagga Like Us [Jay-Z Verse]” by Jay-Z AND T.I.

3. “What Them Girls Like” by Ludacris

4. “Let It Rock” by Kevin Rudolf and Lil Wayne

5. “Got Money” by Lil Wayne

6. “Love Lockdown” by Kayne West

7. “Disturbia” by Rihanna

8. “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” by Darius Rucker

9. “Closer” by Ne-Yo

10. “Krazy feat. Lil Jon” by Pitbull

Battle of Reality Stars Ringtone Giveaway

What can be more fun than turning on the television and finding another celebrity becoming the next big reality TV star? How about when that “celebrity” isn’t a tired old 1970s has-been but is instead one of today’s hottest rappers. Get ready, Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent are da reality TV hizzle with their new shows “Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood” and “50 Cent: The Money and the Power.”

Snoop Dogg“Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood” stars famous rapper Snoop Dogg and his family; wife Shante, sons Cordell and Corde and daughter Cori. And with the second season airing on November 30, viewers are sure to tune-in for more crazy family drama from this wild brood.

50 Cent’s new show, “50 Cent: The Money and the Power”, debuted November 20 on MTV and features business-savvy contestants that compete for a shot at fame and a huge cash prize.

“Immediately when you say a reality show that has a business spin to it, they think ‘The Apprentice,’ and the difference is these people don’t actually want to work for me,” the 32-year-old said in a recent interview. “They have their own business ideas that they created and they’re competing for $100,000 in seed money.”

50 CentBut while Snoop and 50 battle it out for viewers on the small screen, there is a different type of battle going on here at Flycell. As a special perk to our monthly subscribers, Flycell is offering free Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent ringtones for this week’s giveaways.

Who will be chosen the most by Flycell customers to trick out their phones? Will it be “The Doggfather” or Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson? Flycell customers are experts at predicting winners, so we predict the winner of this battle to also win on the small screen.

Stop by the Flycell site and pick your favorite tone from one of these rap celeb-realities today.