Here’s Eminem Talks About Current Rap Music, Next Album, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar & More.
Eminem Sat Down with NYTimes for a Lengthy-Interview Session where He Talks About Current Rap Music, upcoming ‘Southpaw’ Soundtrack, relationship with 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, upcoming Solo Album, Fatherhood & more. He also Discusses that Hip Hop Is in a Good Place Right Now.
Billy Hope was going to be played by Eminem at first. Kurt Sutter, the film’s screenwriter, says the idea was motivated by the rapper’s personal hardships. He said that during the last seven years, he had met with Eminem’s production colleagues in search of anything to accomplish together. Eminem executive produced the soundtrack, which was released on July 24, 2015 by Shady Records. He had already released the soundtrack’s song “Phenomenal” on June 2, 2015.
Eminem also stated that while he admires Kendrick’s record production, he believes that a balance of artists such as Big Sean and Drake is required, “I feel like hip-hop is in a good place right now. There’s this balance of things going on, and it feels like some of the best rappers are the most successful. Sometimes that’s not the case,” Marshall shared. In terms of a new solo project from him, he stated he hasn’t started working on one yet and is instead trying to figure out what he wants to do next musically. Eminem, on the other hand, will be featured on the upcoming Southpaw soundtrack.
Here’s the Interview Session Q&A Below.
“Lose Yourself” — did you feel Stress to live up to “8 Mile”?
With this particular movie, I’m not in it, so I couldn’t be (the character) Billy Hope in the song. I tried to make something that was thematic — self-empowering, about being in a corner and fighting back.
Do you still feel funny?
Always. That hasn’t really changed. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. A lot of comedians as they get older don’t inevitably change. It’s one of the biggest reasons that I love Will Ferrell — because he’s himself. I think it’s important to keep a sense of humor until you die.
Do you show your kids your music?
I’ve been trying to not focus as much on them because I’ve done that and I don’t want to Slow Down their lives. I feel like the more that I talk about that, the harder their lives are.
What’s your relationship like with 50 Cent these days? He’s on the soundtrack and in the movie.
Same as it’s always been, pretty much. I love Fif’, man.
Are you Connect in with current rap music?
I try to stay up on everything that’s out. I love Lil Wayne, Drake, Big Sean, Schoolboy Q. I love Kendrick Lamar. I just try to pay attention to what’s out. Wayne puts out a new song, and my ears perk up. There are certain artists that make me do that just because of the talent that they rhyme at — it’s like candy to me. Kendrick, the way he puts albums together — front to back, they’re like pieces of art. But hip-hop needs Drake, too. Hip-hop needs Big Sean. I feel like hip-hop is in a good place right now. There’s this balance of things going on, and it feels like some of the best rappers are the most successful. Sometimes that’s not the case.
Do you feel competitive with the Kanyes and Drakes and Kendricks of the world? You seem a little removed from that.
Kanye, as well — I forgot to mention Kanye. I’ll always be lyrically competitive.
Do you think Twitter and Instagram have affected rap?
I know there are a lot of Twitter beefs. People used to just make songs. But it is what it is. The world’s forever changing, and you’ve just gotta adapt and evolve.
What is your day-to-day life like in between albums?
A lot of work. I’m usually in the studio five to six days a week, trying to think of my next move. Every now and then, I’ll Reconsider where I’m at in my career. I’m usually trying to think of what I’m going to do next.
Are you working on a solo album?
Not as of yet. But I’m just trying to figure out what to do next musically. There’ll be a certain page that I get on, and I’m like, “O.K., I’ve done it this way.” Sometimes I think that if I get comfortable or set in my ways of doing something, maybe I should step back for a minute and figure out how to mix it up a little bit.
