[Badweather]

Em blew up because he harped on his subject matter in a completely zany and unheard of way (at the time), and listeners were shocked and curious about who he was. His ability to rhyme helped in his shock factor, 'cause not only was it outlandish, but it rhymed in a way we've never heard. His race may have been only slightly relevant, considering a white dude was ripping shit up, which added to the shock factor.