“I realize what an honor it is right now for me to be up here tonight and what a privilege it is to do the music that I love,” noted Eminem on Saturday night. This is how he started his speech for his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. From 8 Mile to the Hall of Fame, the Detroit rapper’s journey has been a long one - and Saturday night was a reflection on every step along the way.
Legendary producer Dr. Dre had the honor to induct his longtime friend and collaborator, Eminem. During his speech, Dre took us all the way back to the beginning, before Slim was one of the best-selling artists in history, back when he was just a guy from Detroit, Michigan, trying to figure it all out. When Dre got Em’s music, he had no idea that he was a white guy. Dre confessed, “I guess it was my ignorance at the time, thinking that, ‘Ok, if you’re a good rapper, you must be black.’” He went on to describe how they met for the first time and hit it off right away. Then, they got to the studio together, and Dre recalled, “The first time I put on a beat, he got on the mic, and said, ‘Hi, my name is…’”
Eminem’s credits and contributions to music could go on for days, but we’ll try to summarize just how much the man has done. He is an Academy Award winner, a Grammy Award winner, a Billboard Music Award winner, an MTV Video Music Award winner, and a Guinness World Record holder for things such as the most words in a hit single and most consecutive albums to debut at number 1. This is just scratching the surface. The man is a Rap God. The nearly six-hour-long ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, honored Shady and other music legends like Duran Duran, Lionel Richie, Dolly Parton, and more.
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Slim Shady sang a medley of his greatest hits with help from Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and recording artist Ed Sheeran. The ceremony is set to air on November 19 on HBO. In his speech, Eminem said, “And I’m so honored, and I’m so grateful that I’m able to be up here doing hip-hop music, man, because I love it so much.” We think it is safe to say that we are also happy that he is making his music. Until next time, stay tuned.
