It’s been 20 years since the iconic film 8 Mile hit theaters. The semi-biographical battle rap movie follows the come-up of one Marshall Mathers better known to the world as Eminem. 8 Mile’s storyline essentially focuses on beating the odds to reach your goals and change your life forever. This can be said not only for the legendary rapper but for one gentleman in particular whose life impact and musical influence shaped a national level of motivation.
During an interview with Samson Shulman, host of the Connection is Magic podcast, music producer Jeff Bass shared details about the success of his career, coming from welfare to winning two Grammys and an Oscar.
In the late 80s, Jeff was a new father struggling to survive on nothing but government assistance. “I was on food stamps and government cheese at the very beginning…it got really rough,” he told the Connection is Magic podcast. “I had a kid, he was a baby. And then you have to try and figure out – you want more in life for your family, right? I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth so I had to figure out how I’m going to do this on my own.”
Fast forward to the mid-90s, the Detroit native along with his brother Mark, began their relationship with a young Eminem after signing him to their Bass Brothers production company, F.B.T., pushing out early projects like Infinite and the Slim Shady EP, which would secure a major alliance with Dr. Dre and Interscope Records Jimmy Iovine.
Then, after much success with songs like “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” and “Without Me,” the trio produced Eminem’s first No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Lose Yourself” in 2002. The track instantly became a cult classic worldwide, sparking a new depth of endurance and motivation for athletes, entrepreneurs, and everyone in between.
Lose Yourself would secure an Oscar win in 2003 for Best Original Song as well as two Grammy Awards for Best Rap Song and Best Male Rap Solo Performance. “It’s surreal,” Bass said as he described the anthem’s impact. “You know what that feeling is every year to have that? Just knowing that ‘Wow, you gave the word something totally relatable.’ That’s a legacy right there.”
Jeff’s journey is a true testament to staying determined no matter how hard life gets. “For all the people out there that feel like they have to give up at some point because you gotta go make a living, don’t give up. Keep it going, try to find some balance between making a living to pay for your food, but don’t forget what you’re shooting for.”
Thank you Jeff for your contributions to this industry and the constant reminder to never give up on our dreams!