Monday (May 23) marked the 16-year anniversary of Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP. In commemoration of the classic album, the rap god has given blessings for its re-release along with some pretty treasured collectibles for anyone wishing to acquire them through shop.eminem.com. For prices ranging from $28 to $350 fans have a chance to claim a piece of the Detroit artist's upbringing, literally, as dog tags made from the wood of his childhood home and a limited quantity of the structure's encased bricks have been made available for purchase.

Fans will recall the album cover's imagery showing the rising emcee sitting on the porch of his iconic 19946 Dresden Street house. At immediate glance, those who copped the 2013 MMLP sequel were reminded of Marshall's struggling youth in the impoverished quarters between 7 and 8 Mile, as image of the same living quarters appeared decrepit, surrounded by weeds, with boarded up windows. As history would have it, the timing of the second album's drop would be cryptic as the state of Michigan put out an ordinance to have the abandoned site demolished for structural safety reasons. Eminem's estate was able to collaborate with officials to have materials from the house salvaged, thus providing for the present opportunity.

The MMLP wasn't only an extraordinary musical work, garnering critical acclaim and record sales in its first week; it was a cultural hallmark, particularly for poor and middle class White-Americans who had long identified with Hip Hop but up until the rise of Eminem hadn't felt genuinely represented in it. Tales from Em's childhood home, as much as those of his family and community, played as significant a role as his craftsmanship had in establishing an emotional connection with his base. A portion of the proceeds from sale of the items will go towards the Marshall Mathers Foundation, which funds programs for at-risk youth in such communities throughout the United States.

Source: eminem.com