The marvel of the rapper rapport is a fascination within itself. It’s the golden stuff that propels backstage encounters to amass millions of YouTube views and spur fans’ frenzy for collaborations.
Hip Hop breeds a very special interpersonal relationship because regardless of any generation, gender or subgenre gap, the roads traveled in branding one’s music are often identical.
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While the similarities between Eminem and Mac Miller are apparent (both are heavily tatted white rappers nice with the nouns and verbs; Midwest upbringing; public substance battles; the double-M initials, etc.), the two talents’ music were never mistaken for one another on wax.
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In other words, the late Most Dope General was never accused of trying to ride Eminem’s pre-paved road to success.
Miller (nee McCormick) tragically passed away at the age of 26 on Friday (September 7) due to what is heavily suspected to be a drug overdose. And although he and Eminem never got busy in the studio nor has Marshall Mathers jumped in with the nearly countless famous mourners on social media, it’s come to pass The Real Slim Shady had a real live admiration for the Pittsburgh-bred MC.
Enter Riggs Morales, the Vice President of A&R at Atlantic Records, who served as the Senior Director of A&R for Shady Records during taxing times such as the release and rollout of Get Rich Or Die Tryin’. He tells HipHopDX that Eminem, without a doubt, “respected [Mac] heavy.”
Back in 2012, he and the Shady squad were preparing for the annual Summersonic Festival when Arthur Pitt, the former Vice President of Rostrum Records, and Miller were also in the vicinity.
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“[We] trekked near a mile to the stands, and I encountered this jovial kid enjoying [the fuck out the moment taking place,” Morales remembered on his Instagram page.
“We trooped backstage and bucket-list shit ensued for Mac. His dopeness was still a work in progress, so no one had any idea of how truly talented he was, but he carried himself beyond his years and was an open book soaking in the entire moment beyond the normal meet and greet.”
And wouldn’t you know it, he was able to meet Em’s fabled and longtime manager Paul Rosenberg as well.
Photo: Riggs Morales
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“[He] pow-wow’d with @rosenberg and thankfully avoided any discrepancies with Alchemist — a future collaborator,” Morales continued. “This link was the root of our relationship ever since, cause real ones never forget when someone does something good for them with no catch. I regret not capturing that moment for myself with a flick. I was such a fan but as a music executive, you’re mentally trained and expected to be a professional when meeting an artist, particularly for the first time.
“But I’m a fan first and should have knocked back a flick. Fuck that. Thanks to Mac, I now pose for photos with any artist or person who’s art / music/ drawings/ umbrella/can opener or Bike wheel inspires me in some sort of way. Such a good spirit who wasn’t finished with his path. Truly missed. #RIPMacMiller?? #Summersonic2012 #Shady.”
Pitt also laughingly recalled to DX that Mac’s lifelong right-hand man, Quentin “Q” Cuff, hyperventilated to the point he had to leave the room upon seeing Eminem and credits both Morales and Alchemist for coordinating the now legendary meet and greet.
Miller’s memory is currently being immortalized at the site that birthed his superstardom: Blue Slide Park.
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