Esham

Gothom Records (1997–2001) In June 1997, Esham rebranded Reel Life Productions as Gothom Records, and released the album Bruce Wayne: Gothom City 1987, which charted at number 57 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Esham later signed a distribution deal with Overcore, a subsidiary of Overture Music, which later became distributed by TVT Records. In August 2001, Esham and D12 were kicked off the Warped Tour after members of the group allegedly physically attacked Smith over the lyrics of his song "Chemical Imbalance", which contained a reference to the daughter of D12 member Eminem, who was not present during the tour.

Psychopathic Records (2002–2005) In 2002, Esham signed with Psychopathic Records, releasing the compilation Acid Rain. It was announced that Esham would be moving away from the horror themes of his previous efforts. On November 18, 2003, Esham released his ninth studio album, Repentance. It peaked at No. 9 on the Top Heatseekers chart, No. 10 on the Top Independent Albums chart, and No. 71 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Jason Birchmeier wrote that "Repentance is a small step forward for Esham. He seems very confident here, comfortable with himself as an artist [...] when he pulls everything together [...] he makes some of the best music of his long, fruitful, yet largely unacknowledged career."

In 2005 Esham joined forces with Insane Clown Posse and Lavel to release the Soopa Villainz album Furious.

His follow-up album on Psychopathic A-1 Yola, saw Esham achieving his highest consecutive level of charting success, as it peaked at 176 on the Billboard 200, his highest-selling album on that chart to date, as well as peaking at No. 6 on Top Heatseekers, No. 12 on the Independent Albums chart, No. 23 on the Top Rap Albums chart, and No. 48 on the Top R&B chart.

Following this release, Esham left Psychopathic in 2005 to relaunch Reel Life/Gothom. The Documentary was released with a soundtrack entitled the same, the LP would feature Seven the General as well as Poe Whosaine. Smith was interviewed for the documentary The Untold Story of Detroit Hip-Hop, which is being produced by Detroit rapper Champtown. He also attempted a run for mayor of Detroit.

In 2012, MTV published a story detailing Esham's feud with Eminem and Insane Clown Posse. In 2015 Esham and Insane Clown Posse reconciled their differences and Esham performed at the 2016 Juggalo Day "Ringmaster" Show.

Style Esham's lyrical style, which author Sara Cohen says "utilize shocking (and blatantly over the top) narratives to give an over-exaggerated, almost cartoon-like version of urban deprivation in Detroit", was derived from the style of the Geto Boys. Insane Clown Posse has frequently cited Esham as an influence on their music.

Discography

Studio albums Boomin' Words from Hell (1989) Judgement Day (1992) KKKill the Fetus (1993) Closed Casket (1994) Dead Flowerz (1996) Bruce Wayne: Gothom City 1987 (1997) Mail Dominance (1999) Tongues (2001) Repentance (2003) A-1 Yola (2005) Sacrificial Lambz (2008) Suspended Animation (2010) DMT Sessions (2011) Venus Flytrap (2012) Dichotomy (2015) Scribble (2017) Dead of Winter (2018) She Loves Me (2020) She Loves Me Not (2020) Psyops (2021) Purgatory (2023) The Golden Age (2025)