Dr. Dre has welcomed his former protégé Eminem into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with a speech that highlighted Em’s impact on the rap game.
The induction ceremony for the Rock Hall’s Class of 2022 was held at the Microsoft Theater on Saturday night (November 5) and also saw Lionel Richie, Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam, Dolly Parton and Harry Belafonte recognized for their contributions to music.
Dr. Dre revisited the beginning of his relationship with Eminem, including the moment he learned from Interscope Records co-founder Jimmy Iovine that Em was white, which “completely fucked [him] up.”
“Over 20 years ago, Jimmy Iovine, who is also one of tonight’s inductees and one of my best friends, played a demo tape for me from a guy who called himself Eminem,” Dre said. “The first thing I said when I heard it was, ‘What the fuck did he just say?’ I loved it so much that I couldn’t stop listening to it.
“A few days later, Jimmy called me and said, ‘You know he’s a White guy, right?’ Fucked me up!” the Aftermath mogul continued. “Looking back, I don’t know why it didn’t cross my mind. He certainly didn’t sound like a Black rapper, especially because of what he was saying. I guess it was my ignorance at the time, thinking that if you’re a really good rapper, you must be Black.”
After acknowledging how the three of them all bet on each other to bring Em’s career to life, Dre went on to praise Eminem for the way his music “brought Hip Hop to middle America” and “forced us to confront our biases.”
The two then shared the stage to perform a medley of hits including “My Name Is” and “Rap God.” Eminem also brought out Steve Tyler to deliver a live rendition of the Aerosmith sample that appears on “Sing For The Moment.”
Additionally, he recruited Ed Sheeran and Elton John to support him in delivering “Stan,” “Forever” and “Not Afraid,” while also sharing the stage with The Alchemist and Denaun Porter.
Following the energetic performance, Slim Shady returned to the stage for his acceptance speech, during which he humbly told the audience that he was “not supposed to be here tonight.”
“One, I’m a rapper; two, I almost died from an overdose; and three, I really had to fight my way through,” he explained. “I’m a high school drop-out with a Hip Hop education.”
Eminem also took the opportunity to thank a list of close to 100 artists who influenced his career, including LL Cool J and Run-DMC, whose Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies he also participated in.
“They say success has many fathers, and that’s definitely true for me,” Eminem said. “So whatever my impact has been on Hip-Hop music, I never would have or could have done this s–t without some of the groundbreaking artists that I’m about to mention right now.”
He continued: “And this is a list man, I put this list together yesterday. And I kept adding to the shit, adding to the shit, and if I forget anybody, I apologize. But these were my teachers right here.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2022 Induction Ceremony is set to air on HBO on November 19. Click here to read Dr. Dre and Eminem’s speeches in full.
Em has more respect for this culture than just about anybody else at his level despite the fact that the culture never really gave him back the respect he deserved in return. Dudes first 3 albums were fire, hasn’t really ever recaptured that magic post-“8 Mile” but you can’t deny the impact he made back in the day.
100% agreed. He was probably the best commercial rapper alive until shortly after 8 Mile.
His hunger has always been visible. Can’t touch his craftsmanship
Harry Belafonte ain’t dead, you damn idiots. This has to be the worst website for people who have “jobs.”
Harry Belafonte ain’t dead, you damn idiots. This has to be the worst website for people who have “jobs.”
He’s so irrelevant he might as well be thou.
Your young ass don’t know who that is, so shut the hell up. The fact that you use the term irrelevant let’s me know you’re a kid. Is your daddy relevant?
The fact that you said irrelevant lets me know you’re a kid. Is your daddy relevant? Was he around? Did your grandma raise you? Because your comment lets me know you’re a young, immature “quote, qoute” tough guy. Wrong one, kid.
No snoop shoutout. The “beef” is back on!
Em did shout out snoop, you have to watch the video
No Jay-Z or Redman?
I mean it clearly says Redman in the list of names
No Jay-Z or Redman? Or Royce?
He constantly shouts them out. And if you listen, he was shouting out who paved they way for him…jay, Royce and red are from the same generation
He shouted out redman.. these quotes not accurate.. You have to watch the video.
He only focused on rappers the came before him as inspiration.
So he can shout out House of Pain and end Everlast’s career at the same time? That’s not right
Congratulations Eminem! Fack the haters!
Next up, King Tekashi.
HITLER
Next up, King Tekashi.
he should take this moment to hang it up in style instead of continuing to tarnish his legacy with mediocre albums.
Kon Artis is getting fat. A well deserved induction
Good for him. I never was a fan at the beginning. But I grew to like him over the years.
where red & meth on the shout outs,,, wheres redman??? wtf em common..