Eminem is heralded as one of the most gifted lyricists to ever live. But during his recent three-hour Shade45 radio show special Music To Be Quarantined By, the celebrated MC revealed who he believes is the greatest songwriter of all time — Tupac Shakur.
As Shady was getting ready to play “If I Die Tonight” from ‘Pac’s 1995 classic Me Against The World, he explained how he came to that conclusion. Marshall cites much more than strictly lyrical skill for ‘Pac’s greatness, referencing his ability to make the listener feel his words as one of his greatest skills.
“OK, this next song is from an artist who I feel like might be the greatest songwriter of all time,” he begins. “Debate what you want about MC skills and all that, because he had that too. This is one of them songs by 2Pac that, to me, he was showing you, ‘I can write heartfelt shit and I can write lyrical, crazy shit too.’
‘They say pussy and paper is poetry, power and pistols/Plotting on murdering muthafuckas ‘fore they get you’ — like, the play on the ‘p’ words and all that shit and how he was doing it was so crazy, mixed with the feel that 2Pac could give you, which is constantly why I feel like he was saying, ‘Can you feel me?’ because you felt ‘Pac. You can’t just listen to ‘Pac, you feel ‘Pac. If you listen to him, you gonna feel him.”
Em announced the three-hour special last week. The playlist included some of Shady’s favorite tracks from artists such as Beastie Boys, MC Lyte, Mobb Deep, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Run-DMC, Wu-Tang Clan and — of course — ‘Pac.
“It’s what I wanna hear, basically,” he told Sway Calloway on Thursday (April 29) to which his longtime manager Paul Rosenberg said, “And recommend people to listen to as well.”
Eminem To Host 'Music To Be Quarantined By' 3-Hour Special Playlist On Shade45
‘Pac released four albums during his 25 short years on the planet, including Pacalypse Now (1991), Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. (1993), Me Against the World (1995) and — what proved to be his final album while he was alive — All Eyez On Me (1996).
Seven months after the album’s release, he was gunned down at an intersection in Las Vegas. The murder remains unsolved.
As far as rap goes, yes. He’s right about this in that respect.
This is rarely discussed in Hip Hop but I think I have to agree. When you consider we’re still listening to songs he scribbled in between the jail/Death Row/beef madness, it’s pretty impressive.
Unsolved Murder….No, Orlando Anderson did killed Pac because he was too worried about his street cred as a Southside Crip taking a hit for hip getting stomped out by a rapper. End of Story. As much as I hate to say it, there’s nothing unsolved about it, it’s been all but confirmed by those who are still alive who were involved with the events surround it.
This is facts nobody made u feel them like pac after pac got to be Scarface where it wasn’t about money it’s was about everything
I do not like his music.. but Em is definitely a hip hop legend. Lately he’s stepping up in a leaders capacity.. it’s refreshing.. much respect to him.. he’s keeping other legends names alive
Hes been in the leader category but alot of black ppl are to blinded by hate to see..hes been great.
It’s not just black people… I’m white, and here’s what I’ll say… I give Eminem top 5, all day long. He’s extremely talented, and likely the most talented emcee to live as an entire package. With that said, I really really dislike his music tjr past decade, and cannot stand his voice change anymore. I still think his music from 1999 to 2005 or so is absolutely amazing. It’s not always my cup of tea, but talent wise, Eminem was on another level. Him and Tupac, in my eyes, made the strongest diss tracks ever… Not necessarily the most lyrical or such, but they were fun to listen to, and had a huge impact on real life careers. I think I give eminem the crown for best overall diss tracks. They were just such good songs, hilarious, dirty, fun, and just plain good. Then Tupac diss tracks were hardcore, angry, and full of raw emotion. They gave you a satanic type feeling.
Why do y’all want to be hated so bad???
Respect ✊?
EM A CRACKA ASS CRACKA CRACKIN AROUND. RITZ MUFUKA
And you’re a RETARDED, A MOTHAFUKIN STOOPIN CLOROX BLEACH DRINKING SPECIAL HELMET WEARING RETARD
keyboard warrior
I agree. As 2 PAC was a big influence in my writing, aside Eminem. Two different eras at best. Both inspiring, in my world. As expressive as ones can be and have that flow to make it into music. I fully respect and honor. Hands down.
I don’t think Pac was the best song writer, but I do think he had the best presence on the mic. He had raw emotion, and charisma that pulled you in. Dmx in his prime had the aggressive part of Pac in him, which is why Pac and DMX were both such amazing live artists in their primes. I don’t refer to Pac as a lyricist, but he was so talented, and he was honestly just very different and unique. His flow and pronunciation was his own.
No DMX was the most aggressive crackheads of our time. He was talented but he couldn’t stay away from the drugs and completely self destructed. Yeah at the beginning before when he wasn’t using as much sure he had it but once the crack took over it just because a downward spiral. Pac kept had so many different layers of emotions, connections to the people, personal struggles that regardless of what happened to him, you always got the real version of him. He was able to not only paint picture because of the personal pains if himself and others but also had a unnatural talent for foreshadowing things that were happening socially that people were either not aware of or too afraid to talk about. I’m sorry but 2pac will always be superior to DMX in the lyrical realm because of that reason.
NO LIES THERE.
I agree Tupac was very versatile with his songwriting skills. Pac let out every type of emotion and feeling he experienced while he was alive .He did it in a short period of time as well, and you felt him.That’s what Im inspired to do as a songwriter myself… ?
Eminem, God sent. Best. I’m 22 years in with this guy. Illest with the whole craft.
22 years in huh? You know he talks a lot about what’s in his head…voices…he’s friends with the monsters under his bed…then he flips it and starts talkin God and politics and flips it yet again with music to be murdered by. Depending on ur perspective u could say he’s all over the place…yet all of it connects dots and puts pieces together like a puzzle in my head. You see the world has labeled me a bipolar schizophrenic…yet to a degree I have seen success all my life…so where’s the logic in that? I have a couple breakdowns cuz life happens to me…life which Marshall calls out in his songs and on top of that creates videos that align also. Weird shit huh? It’s like Lauryn Hill’s Killing Me Softly breathed to life. If nothing else he’s obviously been through similar situations…you’ve been down for 22 years? Would he be willing to talk to a nobody like me?
He is correct. Nothing but respect for Shady..
That’s true slim, we did have a black president as the prophet raps in America. Tupac was real with raps and things.
Em gave a Very honest statement you felt Tupac, his attention & expression to music, conversations to the struggles of his people connected him to all those who struggled. His connections Stemmed from his positive influences from his father, step father, mother & other Muslims on being community minded of every neighborhood issues. A very wise witted King Tupac Amaru Shakur who named himself again Makaveli cause he knew what he had created would make him live Forever. Natalac our.
I absolutely hear what M is saying but I have to disagree. There are absolutely many wonderful, talented artists out there that should get the respect they deserve…obviously Tupac made a lasting impression on M and that’s good. What I’d love to see is for M not to be so humble all the time because in my opinion he’s the best we’ve had and got…at least 4 now…until he chooses to lay the mic down. Will the real Marshall please stand up? Marshall this is just for you….Voices in ur head screamin, yellin all the time…are they comin from God or is it just in ur mind? God has a plan for you and all the world WILL see but are u holdin back? Cuz I only see the seed…Ur a modern day farmer, out there a fisher of men…but what else is out there that God told you he’d send? Ahh shit, loves true first kiss, true you’ve known love in your life…but have you found that love that ur willin to wife? Tried with Kim but as far as I know that’s the past…so where is that love God told you would last? You know what you want and yea, true so does He…but where oh where could that special woman be? Shit I could have this all fucked up, I don’t follow ur life, but I know what I think you’d be doin if u found u that wife…I’ma end this right here cuz God giveth and taketh away…so follow that white rabbit if u want to hear more of what I got to say…??✌️
Greatest songwriter of all time? He’s not even the greatest rapper of all time. Sorry groupies, it’s the truth.
Eminem* is the greatest songwriter of all time.
Em and Tupac are two of the most overrated dudes to ever get on the mic. They are both mass appealing and talented, but all this greatest this and that needs to rest. Both of them share another thing in common that wouldn’t know what a real hip hop beat was even if it bit them. Let Tupac rest in peace and Em keep making corny ass songs with no dope drums.
What’s a real hip hop beat then
You obviously don’t know what you are talking about. Overrated? You are one of those heads who rate the beats over lyrics
WHAT U SMOKINH PASS OT OVER PAC OVERRATED UR COMMENT AND U PERIOD WASTE SOACE N AIR QHAT U ACCOMPLISH BY 25 BESIDE TGIS COMMENT IF NOT 15 YET STILL THIS COMMEBT BE BIGGEST THINK U DONE LOL GTFOH
FUKING RIGHTS GOAT OF ALL TIME HIP HOP ICON WORLDWIDE OFTEN IMITATED NEVER DUPLICATED!!!!!!
Eminem =Tom Green.
2pac =Akil the mc
Biggie=Fullee love aka soup
Easy-E =Marc 7
THE TRUTH IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU .
LIKE KANYE SAID YOU HAVE BEEN LIED TOO!!