Eminem

Calling Emimem 'controversial' is like calling Francium 'unstable' or Johann Sebastian Bach 'good with a harpsichord.' Not many performers get sued by their own mothers, duet with Elton John and endure boos at the MTV Video Music awards all in the space of a few years and still consider themselves at the top of their game. Marshall Mathers, however, is not like other performers and has managed to navigate his rap career through Cape Horn currents of criticism, approbation, love and horror that would sink a lesser performer. From 'Infinite' in 1996 and 'The Slim Shady' under Dr. Dre's tutelage in 1999 to 'The Eminem Show' in 2002, Eminem's albums remain controversial enough to be issued in regular and 'clean' editions and cause mothers to fear for their daughters.