S. Samuel
With Eminem's new "Total Slaughter" battle rap series building anticipation, the rap star's manager Paul Rosenberg and Slim Shady have dished on what fans can expect.
Headed for a July 12 inaugural event at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom, Em said he expected the UFC-style competition to embody the essence of lyrical battling.
“I’m a passionate battle fan, so this is something I’ve always thought about doing,” adds Eminem, whose Shady Films is co-producing the event. “I came up battling at the same time I was making records and learning my way around the studio. It’s a little bit different in terms of the kinds of tools you need, but the competitiveness is the same. The times I didn’t win gave me just as much light in the past as when I did. It’s all about your performance.” (Rolling Stone)
Rosenberg also addressed the possibility of Em returning back to the battle ring.
“I don’t think at this point it would make any sense. They know eeeeverything about him. Everything,” says Rosenberg.” So, he’s kind of an easy target. Plus, lets be honest, you gotta be in shape for this. This isn’t something that you just go do on a whim. You gotta in shape, your brain’s gotta be ready for it, you gotta be in that mode. And Marshall hasn’t done stuff like for a really long time.” (Rolling Stone)
Back in January, Slaughterhouse’s Royce Da 5’9 admitted viewers could expect some serious battle raps to go down.
The Shady Records crew explained that the new show will pit eight battle rappers against one another, in a bracket style competition, with four rappers on each side. Slaughterhouse will both judge and produce the show. “The winner of each side will co-headline the main event, [with] two legends in the battle game,” Royce said. “It’s probably the biggest battle you can put on right now, on behalf of Shady Records, Shady TV and Slaughterhouse.” (MTV)
Fellow group member Joe Budden also spoke on the unexpected project.
Joe Budden added that the concept came about organically. “Battle rap is the talk in every street and every barber shop. People are really engulfed and seem to be in tune with what these young brothers have to say in the lyrics they’re putting out there.” (MTV)
Check out the “Total Slaughter” teaser:
