Brief Summary
In this interview, Eminem discusses the creative process and inspiration behind his album "Kamikaze", his thoughts on the music industry and the criticism he has faced, as well as his relationships with other artists like Tyler, the Creator and Joe Budden. He also reflects on the history and importance of hip-hop in his life, and shares insights into his personal growth and evolution as an artist.
- Eminem explains why he decided to surprise-release "Kamikaze" without warning, to avoid pre-formed negative opinions about the album.
- He discusses the backlash he faced for his album "Revival" and how that motivated him to make "Kamikaze".
- Eminem talks about his relationships with other artists like Tyler, the Creator and Joe Budden, and how he has navigated criticism from within the hip-hop community.
- He reflects on the significance of hip-hop in his life and how it empowered him as a young artist.
- Eminem shares his perspective on the Grammys and his frustrations with the award show's perceived biases.
- He discusses the history and breakup of the group D12, and how he hopes to support the solo careers of the members moving forward.
Eminem's Creative Process and the Inspiration Behind "Kamikaze"
Eminem explains that he decided to surprise-release "Kamikaze" without warning to avoid giving people time to form negative opinions about the album before it was even released. He felt that the backlash against his previous album, "Revival," was unfair, as people had already made up their minds about it before even listening. Eminem wanted to avoid that kind of pre-judgment with "Kamikaze," so he opted to drop it unexpectedly. He believes that this approach was the best way to present the album, as it didn't give people time to develop preconceived notions about it.
Eminem's Relationships with Other Artists
Eminem discusses his relationships with other artists, particularly Tyler, the Creator and Joe Budden. He explains that he had a mutual respect for Tyler's work, but was disappointed when Tyler publicly criticized Eminem's music. Eminem says he understands that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but he felt that Tyler's comments were unfair, especially given Eminem's past support for him.
Regarding Joe Budden, Eminem expresses frustration that Budden has used his platform to criticize Eminem, despite Eminem's efforts to promote Budden's group Slaughterhouse. Eminem feels that Budden's comments were disloyal, and he wanted to address them on "Kamikaze."
The Significance of Hip-Hop in Eminem's Life
Eminem reflects on the profound impact that hip-hop has had on his life, describing it as a source of empowerment and confidence during his formative years. He explains that the ability to write and perform his own lyrics was transformative, giving him a sense of strength and identity that he didn't have otherwise. Eminem emphasizes the importance of lyrical skill and wordplay in hip-hop, and how it has always been a crucial aspect of the genre for him.
Eminem's Perspective on the Grammys
Eminem expresses his frustrations with the Grammys, feeling that the award show often fails to recognize the most impactful and deserving artists. He cites examples of albums and artists he believes should have won Grammys but were overlooked, and argues that the Grammys are more concerned with ratings and spectacle than honoring true artistic merit. Eminem states that he has no desire to attend the Grammys in the future, as he believes the voting process is flawed and the show does not align with his values.
The History and Breakup of D12
Eminem discusses the history of the group D12, of which he was a member. He explains that the group's co-founder, Proof, was the glue that held them together, and that after Proof's passing, the members began to drift apart as they pursued solo projects. Eminem expresses a desire to support the individual members of D12 and help them with their future endeavors, as he still considers them close friends and values their creative partnership.
