Rap-Up.com || Eminem Speaks Out on His Mother, Gay Marriage, and New Rappers

The New York Times grabbed some of Eminem’s precious time for a new interview in Sunday’s magazine. A more tolerant Marshall Mathers talks about his broken relationship with his mother, his support for gay marriage, the current state of hip-hop, and why he doesn’t want to go back to rehab. Read the excerpts below.

Does Slim Shady, your raping and killing alter ego, still exist? Or have you split with him?
Shady still exists. But I don’t think the subjects on this record call for, you know, bring the chainsaws and axes out and murder everyone on this record. There was so much stuff like that off the last record that I felt like I was starting to run it into the ground. I think consciously I went in a different direction with this record.

Even your mother sued you for defamation. Is she still in Detroit, where she raised you as a single mom?
I’m not sure, to be honest. It’d be very hard to repair that relationship.

You’ve been accused of writing gay-bashing lyrics in the past. Would you like to see gay marriage approved in Michigan, where you live?
I think if two people love each other, then what the hell? I think that everyone should have the chance to be equally miserable, if they want.

Is this the new, 37-year-old tolerant you?
It’s the new tolerant me!

Compared with other rappers, you are often praised for your complex rhyme schemes. Do you read poetry?
I don’t think I’ve ever read poetry, ever. I’m not really book-smart.

Where did you go to rehab?
The first time I went it was in Brighton, Mich. The second time I didn’t go to rehab. I just went to a regular hospital. I detoxed in the hospital, and then I came home. I couldn’t go back to rehab. I felt like I was Bugs Bunny in rehab.

What does that mean?
When Bugs Bunny walks into rehab, people are going to turn and look. People at rehab were stealing my hats and pens and notebooks and asking for autographs. I couldn’t concentrate on my problem.

Billboard magazine has ranked you as the best-selling artist of the past decade. What do you do with all your money?
Save it. I save a lot of money by not buying drugs anymore. I invest. I always try to be smart. I try to treat all the money I’m making like it’s the last time I’m going to make it.

Do you think rap has peaked creatively?
No. Hip-hop right now—there are certain artists who put hip-hop in a good state. There are a lot of talented people, and there’s a lot of young talent coming up, like B.o.B, Jay Electronica, Lupe Fiasco, and Drake.

How do you stay sober?
My kids, and also I see a rehab counselor once a week. I’ve been clean for two years.

Read the full interview at NYTimes.com.

Posted in Eminem | Permalink

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

38 Comments

Pinoy
June 17th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Nice read.
Eminem is a changed person and that’s good.

[Reply]
Giselle
June 17th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Proud of him. June 21st!

[Reply]
Bella
June 17th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
That marriage quote is priceless especially coming from him. So glad to see him in what seems to be a better place. I’ve been a fan since 2002 & I can’t wait to pick up Recovery on the 21st!

[Reply]
...
June 17th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
good for him. i hope he ditches the shady persona for good. love him supporting gay marriage.

[Reply]
queen beyonce
June 17th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
sounds like the hip hop great has recovered!

[Reply]
Jamie
June 17th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
That sucks that he couldn’t get the help he needed in rehab, what’s wrong with people?

[Reply]
chelsea
June 17th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Im Soo Glad Eminem’s Clean And Made It Thru That Night Of Almost Seeing Proof Again. He’s An Amazing Person N The Best RAPPER ALIVE!!! My Dream Is Too One Day Get His Autograph And Meet Him!!!! :) When I Listen To His Music It Puts Me In Fabulous Mood!!! Every Song On His New Album Is Meaning Full And Inspiring!!! So If You Ever Think You Cant Do Something Think Of EMINEM’S STORY!!!

[Reply]
chelsea
June 17th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Go to youtube.com and type in “youre never over” by eminem with lyrics i wanted to cry! R.I.P. Proof…

[Reply]
JD
June 17th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Looks like he FINALLY changed. at least he’s healthy

[Reply]
Joyams
June 17th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Not really fan of his music, but glad to see he changed in good as a person. And that’s good that he’s more tolerant and open minded now.

[Reply]
Toya
June 17th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
I can’t believe the interviewer had the guts to ask about his mother. I love his reply to the gay marriage question. He’s made the same statement many times before (including in his book) but for some reason people can’t seperate the man from his work.

[Reply]
j
June 17th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
He sounds enlightened.

[Reply]
Robbie
June 17th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
well done

[Reply]
J.ce
June 17th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
I dont thing u want em’s autgraph if u r a real fan

[Reply]
JayMarlin
June 17th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Ur right if u a real em fan ur don’t want a auto graph he’ll u rather wanna talk 2 da guy also I’ve been his fan since his first album

[Reply]
Dave
June 17th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
YASSS, LUPE FIASCO & B.O.B. >>. I kinda laughed @ the response he had to the gay marriage thing, lol

[Reply]
Mike
June 17th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Wow, he definitely has changed. I’ve been a fan of his for years and it’s amazing to see how far he has come. One of the things about him that i alway disliked what his ignorance towards certain things but it seems that he’s matured.

[Reply]
Ronja
June 18th, 2010 at 3:04 am
He definitely has changed.. In a good way. And wtf? Reads poetry? Nah, dude, hahah! Eminem reading poetry.. Lol
Anyways, @JayMarilin is so right ’bout that autograph thing.. It could be cool to get a autograph, but I’d rather talk to Marshall like he was my friend, he probably don’t even see your face if he’s writing a autograph, and he’ll forget you again..

[Reply]
sineP
June 18th, 2010 at 3:15 am
Eminem is Poetry.

[Reply]
XXX
June 18th, 2010 at 10:00 am
love him.

goat,enough said

[Reply]
davidf
June 18th, 2010 at 11:05 am
I’VE NEVER SEEN A PICTURE OF HIS FACIAL EXPRESSIONS OTHER THAN BEING BITTER LIKE HE’S ALWAYS SAD, UNHAPPY,MAYBE FRUSTATED PERHAPS HE STILL LOVES MARIAH UNTIL THE END. AND BY THE GAY QUESTION HE CAN’T BRING A GOOD RESPONSE OUT OF HIM SINCE ALL HE’S BEEN IN HIS PERSONA IS CRAZYNESS A MAKE FUN OUT OF OTHERS PERSON. AND WITH ALL THE MONEY HE’S EARNED HE CAN’T BUY HIMSELF A SMILE PLEASE.

[Reply]
davidf
June 18th, 2010 at 11:07 am
CAN’T BUY YOU SOME LOVE OR A SMILE . AND RAP-UP PLEASE DON’T ERASE MY COMMENTS AGAIN.WHY HE PAYS YOU FOR THE GOOD COME ON

[Reply]
Carolyn
June 18th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Glad to hear Marshall has been clean for two years now. Very proud of him. I’m from Michigan also. I’m over 50 and love your music. I’m trying to get my 17 year old son clean and not having to much luck. He goes to N. A., but can’t stay clean.Can’t wait to hear the new album. Best of luck with sobriety.

[Reply]
taamiiaa
June 18th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
@davidf i hope ur not a dude..

[Reply]
ken
June 19th, 2010 at 3:55 am
eminem has become a lyrical miracle.he has become a rap mecenary.a tyrant.and a blessing to the music world.drugs or no grugs we all have our highs and lows
great men recover from their.i see the name RECOVERY.hail the greatest rapper alive.eminem

[Reply]
LJJ
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:25 am
阿姆

[Reply]
Heather
August 5th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
It’s amazing to see how far he has got since way back at Infinite, and even though he dropped for a while and produced what he felt was not his best work with Relapse i have to say that Relapse was still a tight album, lyrical madness that no’one could think up, and Encore was amazing just as much too. Recovery is deffinitaly Marshall recovered, his lyrical genious continues to grab me and make me think about day to day situations in a new light! Keep it up Em, you killed it :)

[Reply]
katy
December 21st, 2010 at 1:34 pm
eminemm is f*cking amazing :D

love his music soo much if you ask me
hes the gratest artist off all time!

keep it up, you’v done amazing :)

[Reply]
amy
December 26th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
good for him his been through so much in his life,im so sure all his fans including me are so very proud him.he a good person and deserves good things.

[Reply]
eminemlover
February 18th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
I LOVE EMINEM and im glad he is clean now!!!

[Reply]
craxy
August 8th, 2011 at 2:50 am
hez one of a kind

[Reply]
Peggy
August 13th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
I’m 62 and love Eminem!!!!

If I could meet one person… it would be him.

[Reply]
MOUHAMMED TADJINE
October 19th, 2011 at 4:03 am
im 18 old and Emineme love and love to save all his songs

[Reply]
jamila
October 19th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Hes had a tough life, but hes managed to get thru it and survive only because hes a libra. been there done that.
happy birthday mines two days b4. love ur music. yr songs are special to you and yr experiences in life thats why they are the best.Keep it coming.

[Reply]
Bettina Page
March 12th, 2012 at 6:26 am
Most people have the luxury of privacy when dealing with trauma,tragedy and internal demons. Mr Mathers did not and yet he came out better for it. His honesty and openness regarding his struggle is amazing. He seems at peace with who he is now and appreciative of how he once was. There must be conscious balance in challenging ourselves to be better and do better.Mr.Mathers isn’t the spokesperson for drug rehabilitation. He’s just a man who wanted more for himself despite the odds that were against him.Although not a fan,I do respect and greatly admire his perseverance and heart.He could’ve not cared enough to fight for his own self or for his children. He chose wisely and came thru with flying colors.He is an unparalleled lyrical force but also just a man with the moxy to turn his lemons into lemonade! Drink up Mr Mathers enjoy each glass and savor the fruit of being your own personal success! Thank you

[Reply]
mirluv
November 13th, 2012 at 11:12 am
I think Eminem has matured a lot. I do believe however that some of his statements are just to keep the public a minimum.. His non violence calm approach as so he doesn’t offend anyone.. I’m sure all the lawsuits made him realize that freedom of speech isn’t always free. I believe that the lyrics to his raps obviously says it all.. Him supporting gay marriage is a little far fetched, especially after the multitude of bashing the homosexual community thru out his career as a successful rap artist.

[Reply]
ALIX
March 20th, 2013 at 4:39 am
eminem I love you a lot and I hope to be a friend to you

[Reply]
RebeccaIsSoSad
April 8th, 2013 at 2:25 pm
I want cry for EMINEM. The stuff he’s been through, good Lord. I thought my life was difficult but compared to his life I am so lucky. He was bullied so badly at school he was actually hospitalized at times. He suffered brain damage from when he was bullied at school. He didn’t know his dad and his mom beat him up, told him he was useless and forced him to eat these pills. He practically raised his brother by himself and adopted so many daughters who were somehow related to Kim. Everyone he ever trusted Or knew has sued him or betrayed him. Yet he still hasn’t killed himself and loves his daughter Hailie and he cares for Whitney, Amanda and Nathan. He makes rap songs for them. I can’t believe he has the will to live with everything that’s going on, they’re all eyeing him for every penny he’s got and there’s so much competition. Many people don’t like his reformed character. That is why EMINEM’s life makes me cry. He has it so bad.

[Reply]