The ability to freestyle ones rhymes for a particular record while in the studio has been adopted by the likes of Jay Z and Lil Wayne, but according to Detroit rapper Eminem, he would much rather write his rhymes. Em’s studio protocol was one of numerous topics discussed during the Motor City lyricist’s appearance on Sirius XM Town Hall with Sway Calloway this week.
“Yeah, I mean I’ve done it where [I] kinda make it up as I go along,” said Em. “And it just don’t usually come out right. Like I need time to think my shit through. Make sure that’s what I want to say. You know, especially if you’re putting it out. So, I’ve recorded like that, but I don’t think anything or at least much has come out like that. I’m sure there’s maybe one or two things, but normally I like to write.”
Eminem Says His Life Experiences Do Influence His Music
Later in the interview, the rapper spoke on his The Marshall Mathers LP 2 record, “Headlights.” On the song, Eminem touches on his troubled relationship with his mother Debbie Mathers and offers an apology to Mathers. While speaking with Sway, Em revealed that everything he wanted to address in regards to his mom is on “Headlights” and he likely won’t speak on the topic outside of that particular song.
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Shortly after speaking on his mother and “Headlights,” Eminem was asked if his life experiences have any influence on his music. The rapper replied with a “definitely” before touching on his bout with addiction and desire to help others who have found themselves in a situation he once fought himself out of.
“Yeah, definitely. Definitely,” said the rapper. “Life is about what you go through. And I guess I’m able to take certain things that have happened or happen or whatever and be able to put it in words and talk about it. Music has always been therapeutic for me. You know what I’m saying? But just going through certain things in my life. Like the addiction thing was one of them things that I think helped me grow as a person like just mentally. And realizing certain things maybe. Anybody who’s ever been in that place I know that it feels so hopeless, you know what I’m saying? When you’re there. But it’s a bitch, man, to walk to that other side. But once you get there—my thing is knowing that it can be done now. So, maybe hopefully I can help some other people who may be going through a similar thing get through that and just know that you can do it.”
Eminem Discusses Top Rapper Lists
Eminem even gave his opinion on the much-discussed “top rapper” lists as he commented on every rapper’s desire to be the best and the inability to ever decipher who the best rapper is since there are so many varied opinions in music.
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“I mean, it depends on whose conversation,” said Eminem, when asked how he feels about his inclusion on the various “top rapper” lists. “And whoever’s conversation, like if I’m in it, then I’m honored. If I’m not, then it just is what it is. The thing about music is everyone has a different opinion. Nobody’s gonna have the same opinion. So, your top five, your top 10 may be completely different than mine…I think that everybody who competitively raps, which is probably most rappers, wants to be that. So, if you don’t then why are you rapping? If you don’t at least try to be the best that you can be. And everybody’s got that dream, man, to be the best. Whether you are or not it’s impossible because it’s just a matter of opinion.”
Eminem Gives Props To Pharoahe Monch
Although Eminem didn’t seem too concerned with where he stands on the various “top rapper” lists, he did give props to fellow emcee Pharoahe Monch and his addition to the Organized Konfusion track, “Bring It On.”
“Yo, that rhyme right now would kill most rappers 99.99 percent,” said Em. “I must be that one little, tiny—nah. Nah, no seriously, Pharoahe Monch is incredible, man. And he has been ahead of his time since he came out.”
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Eminem’s interview with Sway comes on the heels of the release of his latest studio album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2. Released on November 5, The Marshall Mathers LP 2 is currently set to sell between 700,000 and 750,000 units in its first week.
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