S. Samuel
Rap pioneer DJ Premier has voiced his support of hip-hop newcomer Yelawolf and notes the Southern emcee's content and character diversity.
Preemo credited Yela’s respect for rap legend Ice Cube as one of the reasons he supports him.
“Yelawolf has a style all of his own,” Premier said in an interview. “He’s kind of spooky and weird and stuff from left field but he’s doing what he’s doing and coming with his own style. And when I asked him who inspired him, he said Ice Cube…I’m glad that Ice Cube was his influence. He didn’t name somebody I didn’t respect. He named Ice Cube. Ice Cube is one of the illest lyricists. He’s definitely in my top 10. Ice Cube is a problem. He’s a lyricist extraordinaire.” (Hip Hop Game)
Last week, Yela talked to SOHH and explained what his music delivers to fans.
“I’m just honest when it comes to what you hear from me. I grew up around rock stars. My mom was 15 when I was born. It’s something that’s a part of my life. Rebellion, growing up as a skateboarder. When I would do shows in ATL, people would wear helmets. I love the energy of rebel music.” (Buy My Record)
Recently, NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal listed Yelawolf as one of his favorite lyricists.
SI.com: Top five favorite rappers? O’Neal: Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Clipse, The Game. And off the bench is this cat from Alabama called Yelawolf. He’s f*cking nasty. (Rap Radar)
Earlier this year, producer Jim Jonsin said Eminem praised the burgeoning star’s talent.
“I’m really excited about Yelawolf, he just signed to Interscope and I actually played [his video] for Eminem, ‘Pop The Trunk,’ and he really liked it,” Jonsin revealed in an interview. “It was really cool because I’ve been a fan of him for a long time, he’s like a little brother, I really have love for that dude. And seeing him come through, struggle and all, I played him the video — he watched and was really impressed. I told Yela about it and he was like, ‘Get the f*ck out of here!’ and I was like, ‘No, no, he watched the video and loved it.’ It’s cool that he signed to Interscope because Em’s on Interscope…I played him the video and played him [another] video after and he was like, ‘Wow, that’s the sh*t.’ He really liked it, he was honest with his opinion on it and I like that…he was like, ‘Yo, this dude’s serious.'” (Rap-Up TV)
Check out producer Jim Jonsin speaking on Yelawolf below:
