Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, has consistently been a subject of admiration among his peers in the hip-hop community. His technical prowess, lyrical depth, and influential presence have elicited commendations from numerous prominent artists. Below are insights from various rappers reflecting on Eminem’s impact:
The Game
The Game has acknowledged Eminem’s formidable skills, noting that during his feud with 50 Cent, he consciously avoided targeting Eminem, recognizing his ability to “shred rappers” and labeling him as “dangerous.”
Kanye West
Kanye West has expressed high regard for Eminem, referring to him as “the biggest rapper of all time” and affirming his belief that Eminem is “the greatest rapper of all time.”
Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne has openly admitted that encountering Eminem’s work challenged his own perception of his abilities, stating, “I thought I was the best rapper in the world until I heard Eminem rap.”
Rakim
Hip-hop pioneer Rakim has commented on the racial dynamics of Eminem’s career, suggesting that if Eminem were Black, he would be regarded as “the Muhammad Ali of rap,” highlighting the profound respect he holds for Eminem’s artistry.
J. Cole
J. Cole has cited Eminem as a significant influence, mentioning that listeners can detect Eminem’s impact on his debut album, where he attempted to emulate Eminem’s flow.
Drake
Drake has succinctly expressed his admiration by stating that Eminem is “the greatest rapper of all time.”
Nas
Nas has praised Eminem’s lyrical capabilities, referring to him as a “lyrical genius” and acknowledging that Eminem “murdered” Jay-Z on their collaborative track “Renegade.”
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar considers Eminem one of his primary inspirations, crediting him as a reason for his own pursuit of a rap career and deeming him “the best.”
Logic
Logic has expressed a desire to collaborate with Eminem, stating that he believes Eminem surpasses both Jay-Z and Nas in skill.
Jay-Z
Jay-Z has addressed attempts to attribute Eminem’s success to his race, asserting that such claims are unfounded and that Eminem’s greatness is independent of his skin color.
Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg has remarked on Eminem’s exceptional performance on their collaboration with Jay-Z, “Renegade,” admitting that Eminem “destroyed” the track, which led Snoop to reconsider featuring Eminem on his own projects.
50 Cent
50 Cent has highlighted Eminem’s unparalleled status, stating that comparisons between Jay-Z and Eminem are unwarranted, as Eminem’s influence and reach surpass those of Jay-Z. He also shared his initial disbelief upon meeting Eminem, thinking he was being pranked, and emphasized their strong bond, noting Eminem’s insistence on 50 Cent’s presence at the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
These testimonials from some of hip-hop’s most influential figures underscore Eminem’s profound impact on the genre and his peers.
For a visual compilation of rappers discussing Eminem, you might find the following video insightful:
