Eminem - My Name Is

What this video is

Released January 1999, 'My Name Is' arrived at the precise cultural inflection point where West Coast hip-hop production (Dr. Dre's post-Death Row Aftermath era) collided with the Clinton-era satirical comedy impulse and MTV's TRL-driven teen market. The video's parody format — redneck family watching TV, Eminem costuming as Bill Clinton, a ventriloquist scene, and celebrity imitations — functioned as a Trojan…

Why it matters

A canonical genre-crossing document: 'My Name Is' established the template for Eminem's Slim Shady persona as a commercially viable shock-rap character, while proving that Detroit underground rap could reach mainstream pop audiences via Aftermath's production infrastructure. The video's…

The director

Philip G. Atwell is an American music video director who rose to prominence through his long-running collaboration with Aftermath Entertainment. He co-directed 'My Name Is' alongside Dr. Dre, marking the beginning of a prolific partnership with Eminem.…