In the world of music, history is often filled with unexpected crossovers and hidden gems.
One of the more obscure yet fascinating moments occurred in 1998 when Eminem, who was still an unknown rapper, made a brief appearance in Korn’s music video for “Got the Life.” Blink, and you’ll miss him, but this cameo came just before Eminem exploded into mainstream success.
Korn’s “Got the Life” – A Milestone in Nu Metal
Released in 1998, “Got the Life” was one of the defining tracks from Korn’s third studio album, Follow the Leader. The album marked a high point in the nu-metal movement, a genre blending elements of heavy metal with other styles like hip-hop and alternative rock. Korn was at the forefront of this wave, and Follow the Leader not only topped the Billboard 200 but also catapulted the band to mainstream fame. Their music video for “Got the Life” became iconic, so much so that it was retired from MTV’s Total Request Live (TRL) after being requested so many times.
What makes the video even more interesting is the collection of rock star cameos, including members of Limp Bizkit and Orgy. But tucked away in this mix is a figure who, at the time, was just another face in the crowd: a young rapper from Detroit named Marshall Mathers, soon to become known to the world as Eminem.
May I have your attention, please?
May I have your attention, please?
Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?
I repeat
Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?
We’re gonna have a problem here
Eminem’s Cameo: Before Fame Found Him
At the time of Korn’s video shoot, Eminem had yet to sign with Dr. Dre or release any major label records. He had been grinding away in the underground rap scene, releasing his first album, Infinite, in 1996 through a small Detroit-based label, WEB Entertainment. While Infinite didn’t gain much traction, it helped shape his craft, and by 1997, he had introduced his alter ego, Slim Shady, through the Slim Shady EP.
That same year, Eminem found himself on the set of Korn’s “Got the Life” video as an extra, hoping for a big break. He wasn’t there to perform but to network and get his music into the hands of anyone who might listen. Eminem took a chance, handing a demo tape to Korn’s guitarist James “Munky” Shaffer.
“There were some extras on the set of our video ‘Got the Life,’” Shaffer recalled later. “Some kid came up to me and gave me his demo.” That “kid” was Eminem, who introduced himself as a rapper. Shaffer, who admitted he was drunk at the time, was puzzled why a rapper would hand him a demo, given that he was a guitar player. Despite the confusion, that demo marked a pivotal moment in Eminem’s journey to fame.
Slim Shady on the Verge of Stardom
While Shaffer may not have known what to make of the rapper in front of him, Eminem was on the cusp of a career breakthrough. Within a year, he would release The Slim Shady LP, thanks to Dr. Dre, who had heard Eminem’s EP and was impressed by the rapper’s unique style. Dre’s co-sign would be the launching pad that would catapult Eminem to superstardom.
By January 1999, Eminem released his hit single “My Name Is,” and suddenly, the world knew his name. Gone were the days of passing out demos to rock stars. Eminem was now selling records faster than almost any artist of his era. Within a few short years, he would become the best-selling artist of the 2000s in the United States, leaving behind the anonymity he had experienced on the set of Korn’s video.
Korn and Eminem: A Friendly Rivalry
Though they were from different musical worlds—Korn as pioneers of nu metal and Eminem as the face of hip-hop—their paths would cross again in an interesting twist of fate. In 2002, both artists released albums just one month apart. Korn’s Untouchables was expected to reach the top of the Billboard 200, but it was Eminem’s The Eminem Show that kept Korn from securing that coveted No. 1 spot.
It was a fitting full-circle moment. The same artist who had once been an extra in Korn’s video was now outselling them on the charts, solidifying his place as a cultural and musical force to be reckoned with.
The Legacy of “Got the Life” and Eminem’s Rise
While Korn’s “Got the Life” continues to be celebrated as a nu-metal classic, Eminem’s cameo in the video has become a fun trivia piece for fans of both artists. His brief appearance is a reminder of the humble beginnings from which even the biggest stars rise. For Eminem, that cameo represented just one of the many steps on his journey toward becoming one of the most successful and influential rappers of all time.
The video itself remains a nostalgic look back at a time when Korn and the nu-metal movement were dominating the music scene. Meanwhile, Eminem’s rise to fame shows the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry, where today’s extra can be tomorrow’s megastar.
Eminem’s cameo in Korn’s “Got the Life” video may be fleeting, but it’s a testament to his perseverance and determination. In a matter of months, he went from handing out demo tapes on music video sets to releasing one of the most iconic singles of his career. The Detroit rapper would go on to redefine hip-hop, but for those who know where to look, his early hustle is immortalized in the background of a Korn video, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment in music history.
