IN his debut film, 8 Mile, Eminem looks set to blow his critics away with strong box office and critical support.

And while those who have always dismissed the rapper as a controversial, foul mouthed upstart may be surprised by this eventuality, anyone who knows the background of the star will realise that, in playing a young white boy from the wrong side of the tracks trying to make it in a competitive world of hip hop, Eminem couldn't fail to convince.

After all, there is a fair bit of fact in this work of fiction and a quick glance at Eminem's upbringing tells you that his angry, spitting lyrics are not faked for effect - his success has been a struggle against all the odds. He was born Marshall Bruce Mathers III in 1972, in Kansas City, Missouri. Eminem's mother was 15 when he was born - his father left when he was six-months-old.

His had an itinerant childhood, travelling around various states before eventually landing in Detroit when he was 12. Here his interest in rapping began. After dropping out of school due to lack of interest, Mathers became part of ad-hoc outfits such as the New Jacks and D12 where he began to learn his craft.

He changed his name to Eminem and in 1997 released a raw debut effort, Infinite. This was Eminem testing out different styles to see which suited him.

Alas, the release failed to get a positive reaction, a move which ironically might have helped to secure his future. Angered at his failure, Eminem released The Slim Shady EP in 1998, a release based on an alter ego which spat scorn and vitriolic attacks on those who disrespected him as a white rapper and who failed to appreciate his talent.

Several of the tracks became underground hits. Seeing his chance to shine, Eminem secured a spot at the Coalition's 1997 Rap Olympics in Los Angeles. He came second. Taking part in a follow up radio gig on the Wake Up Show Mathers knew he had to go for it - the result was a furious onslaught of biting lyrics in which his talent was laid bare.

From this show Eminem came to the attention of Dr Dre, who signed him to the Aftermath Records label. Dre also featured on The Slim Shady LP in 1999 and effectively became Eminem's mentor.

As for The Slim Shady LP - Eminem's scathing, aggressive attitude, impeccable rhymes and warped sense of humour was hugely appealing, especially to a generation whose notions of white men rapping were firmly linked with Vanilla Ice.

The album went triple platinum. The Eminem machine was now in motion. He followed this up with The Marshall Mathers LP in 2000, The Eminem Show in 2002 and now the 8 Mile soundtrack, which as well as Mather's material contains the work of rappers old and new. And if the reaction to his role in 8 Mile is anything to go by, it won't be long before the film offers start rolling in.

Nicola Mostyn