Eminem Co-Signs Lil Wayne, ScHoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar & Big Sean: “Hip-Hop Needs Drake, Too”

Grammy-winning rapper Eminem recently shed some light on his stance toward hip-hop in 2015 including what rap superstars he digs.

Asked about today’s rap game, Em wasted no time dishing on which hip-hop artists have won him over.

“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 caliber 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.” (New York Times)

Check out what other rap superstar Eminem co-signed on the next page…

Shady also co-signed G.O.O.D. Music head Kanye West and revealed how he finds out about new tunes.

“Kanye, as well — I forgot to mention Kanye. I’ll always be lyrically competitive,” Em added before answering how he finds out about new music. “Other people tell me about it and pull it up for me. I wait for other people to show it to me. I don’t particularly go on the Internet, because the experiences that I’ve had are not good. It’s not productive for me.” (New York Times)

Em’s Shady Records is behind the new hip-hop-heavy soundtrack for new big screen flick Southpaw.

Despite early talks for Southpaw to star Slim Shady, Hollywood star Jake Gyllenhaal ultimately landed the big role previously reserved for Em.

Eminem was once attached to star in the movie, which serves as proof that Hollywood can’t keep a good project down. A fighter of a film, “Southpaw” was originally sold as a pitch to DreamWorks. The studio hired “Sons of Anarchy” creator Kurt Sutter to write the script. When DreamWorks tapped out, MGM swooped in planning to distribute through Sony, though the film was eventually put into turnaround, which is where the Weinstein Company rescued it. If the deal gets signed, Gyllenhaal will play a left-handed prizefighter who wins a title but suffers a tragedy soon after and must put his life back together to earn the respect of his young daughter. (TheWrap)