For decades, this hardly seemed like even a remote possibility. Most white rappers were viewed by fans of all races as interlopers, poseurs or jokes (see: Vanilla Ice). Only a few, like 3rd Bass and the Beastie Boys, earned credibility along with their sales. When Eminem exploded 15 years ago, his unquestioned genius brought an unprecedented level of respect for a white rapper. In his wake, labels looked hard for "the next Eminem," and hip-hop fans braced for a flood of white imitators.