50 Cent believes Eminem doesn’t get enough credit for his impact on hip-hop culture.
While the genre might be known for its high-profile rivalries, it's nice to see Em receive praise from another hip-hop mogul.
During an interview on the podcast Ebro In The Morning, the ‘In da Club’ rapper reflected on Em’s career in the wake of his 50th birthday.
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He said: “I don’t think that they give Em the credit that he deserves.
“Because, in order for people to embrace something, they have to see where they fit in.”
While many white rappers have broken into the mainstream today, the 47-year-old noted how Eminem was initially perceived as an outsider when he emerged onto the music scene,
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Fiddy, who also shared the stage with Eminem during this year's Super Bowl halftime show, continued: “I think part of Eminem’s legacy is the growth of our culture.
"People wouldn’t buy it if they didn’t see where they fit into it.
"And he’s there and he’s a legitimate artist because of his journey.
“When you look at 8 Mile, you’re seeing a Black story with a white lead. You seeing poverty, you’re seeing [similar] circumstances. Look at his friends Proof and D-12 and everybody: these are real hip hop guys. Which is why he’s a real hip hop guy.”
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Earlier this year, Eminem sat down with XXL Magazine to celebrate the outlet's 25th anniversary and addressed the criticism he's faced in the genre.
The artist said he was merely a ‘guest coming into the house’ at the beginning of his career.
He said: “I understood, at the same time, everybody’s perception of a white guy coming into hip hop and all of a sudden things start happening for him… Obviously, I was upset, and it wasn’t just magazines.”
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The musician added that fellow rappers he climbed the ranks with proceeded to ‘take shots’ at him during the early days.
However, Eminem’s legacy can’t be denied as he is among the best-selling artists of all time, with a whopping estimated worldwide sales of over 220 million records.
The musician has also earned 15 Grammy awards, an Academy Award for ‘Best Original Song’ and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year.
Not bad for 50.
Charisa Bossinakis