Eminem at the Launch of "The Slim Shady LP": Tupac Was the Greatest Songwriter

In late February 1999, the album The Slim Shady LP arrived in US stores, and even before it had truly reached the streets, critics were arguing over lyrics they considered misogynistic and homophobic. Eminem responded not with an apology, but with a name. MTV News reported on February 23 that already on his single prior to “My Name Is,” he had invoked Tupac, a rapper who had himself often come under attack because of his lyrics.

Words You Can Feel

In a conversation with MTV, the rapper explained why Tupac was a hero to him. Tupac was “definitely the greatest songwriter that ever lived.” As a pure rapper, he did not necessarily rate him highest, because he viewed rapping as a craft of its own. But with Tupac, you could feel his words.

That was precisely how Eminem wanted to be understood himself: what he said, he did not say just for the sake of saying it, but because he meant it. Shortly before, he had performed at the House of Blues in West Hollywood.

The Beginning of a Long Connection

Four years later, Eminem got to work with Tupac’s voice. In 2003, he produced the single “Runnin’ (Dying to Live)” and in 2004 the album Loyal to the Game.