Crook’s Corner: Eminem Review

2.24.20

Image from @HitmakerMusicPlaylists

Crook’s Corner is a podcast discussing rap, hip-hop culture and new music releases, hosted by Crooked I, or KXNG Crooked, widely known from Slaughterhouse. First of all, if you don’t follow him on Twitter, you have too. I love every time I see a #CrooksCorner tweet. Crook will ask Twitter, whose the best rapper of today, what’s the last rap song that made you cry, all kinds of interesting topics, and then the thread just goes off! I’m a big fan of Slaughterhouse, but I overall use social media as a way to skip the actual podcast. Like following the hashtags on Twitter, watching the 60 second clip on Instagram, etc. However, I know how big podcasts are becoming, and I am trying to get into them. I just think for me, why would I listen to people talking when I can listen to music? I suppose if the podcast is about music, and I’m learning more about it, it can be interesting to me. I would say that was definitely the case when I decided to listen to the entire Eminem interview. To be completely honest, this was one of the fastest hour and two minutes of my life.

Obviously Slaughterhouse is signed to Shady Records. Not only is it a perfect place for Eminem to go talk about his latest album in safety, but I’m sure this was really big for Crooked I and his podcast. Everyone’s going to want to see this interview, and after how smooth and interesting it was, I am sure Crook will get more pickup on his other episodes, as well. Eminem said he watches Crook’s Corner, and thinks it is a great thing that Crook is doing for hip-hop. Giving a platform for artists to talk about their projects, what is happening in the industry and spread knowledge to the listeners. Eminem continued to praise Crook throughout the interview, complimenting his craft and stating that he doesn’t take a Top 50 Rapper list if Crooked I and Royce Da 5’9“ are not on it. I almost wished he would stop saying it, because I feel like Crook was getting nervous and overwhelmed with the compliments. Like how much can I continue to ask my idol questions before he changes his mind about how great I am? At the end, I think he made a joke that Em didn’t crack and, and he awkwardly moved forward acting as if it didn’t happen. He sat leaning all the way back with his chin on his palm the entire time, trying to keep it as calm and cool as humanly possible, and you could tell. Besides me nit-picking the nervous vibe, it went really well.

The overall motive for this interview was the recent release of “Music to be Murdered By.” I got the answers to a lot of my questions. Like how the hell did Young MA get on there!? Em said that he had actually been watching Young MA since she came out with “Ooh.” He thought she was dope, watched all her videos and listened to her songs, thought she had bars and he reached out to her to be on the track! Eminem also said that he typically spends his Saturdays when he’s not working, listening up on all the latest music releases. What’s happening in today’s music, etc. I think this is something that make him so incredible. His passion and love for music is so strong, he spends his off days studying what is happening around him, getting familiar with the new kids. It is apparent that he is able to work with this and adapt as he’s now had several songs with Ed Sheeran, and has Young MA and Juice WRLD on the album. He seemed a bit distraught when Juice WRLD came up, calling what happened a tragedy and just wishing that the new kids would stick around to adhere to their full potential. Eminem also said that YBN Cordae was the next up, when talking about the new kids and what he’s been hearing. I think in my album review, I said this feature was what the album was missing. Cordae and Dre have already been in the studio together, so I just feel like Em knew this and that collab would have really been everything to this old head - new school match up thing.

On top of all these great things we learn throughout the interview, we learn how real and supportive Eminem is. The first thing we hear, is Eminem saying certain bars from Young MA and Crooked I verses on his album went over his head the first time listening. He mentions that when he hears other artists lay a crazy verse, he wonders why didn’t he think of that first. At one point in time, he wanted to quit rapping because he heard a verse so dope, he didn’t think he’d be able to top it. Over and over again, he praises Crooked I and Royce Da 5”9’. He gets nervous getting on a track with them, because he knows he has to out bar them. When discussing the “Top 50” lists going around, Em says he can never take them seriously if Crook and Royce aren’t present on the list. Overall, I think it’s super cool. He’s humble to know that he isn’t invincible, determined to continue to do better, extremely knowledgable about his craft, and he is motivating to his peers.

Overall, great interview. I am definitely going to start watching the podcast, and I’m sure it will spike views beyond as well.