Rapper Kurupt has come to the defence of Eminem after Melle Mel claimed that he is only in many people’s Top 5 MC lists because he is white. Kurupt joins a number of rappers who have defended Eminem, including his good friend 50 Cent.
Kurupt said in a statement, “That’s his opinion. That’s not our opinion, though. The way Dr. Dre took Eminem subject matter-wise is one thing. The way Eminem rocks [is another]. He’s a battle rapper, and he is hip-hop, no matter what colour he is. Dr. Dre took him in this way. That has no bearing on his skill. His skill is renowned.”
He added, “That’s Melle Mel’s feel on it. Melle Mel is an icon of hip-hop. Melle Mel is speaking from his perspective, from hip hop’s perspective. That’s what Melle Mel is. Billboard is speaking from Billboard’s perspective, which is a hit perspective. If you can make the Billboard, you are successful. So that’s a successful list. There is no bearing of skill.”
Still, there was time for Kurupt to pay his respects to Melle Mel too. “Now, Melle Mel has his opinion, but remember, he is hip hop, the original hip hop, so Melle speaks from that standpoint,” he said. “For my generation, Eminem is OUR monster. His colour is irrelevant. [Melle Mel] does have a point. Eminem being white, he might have got away with a lot of things, like, him talking about all these different artists. And not having the backlash to where he’s blackballed. But not from his skill. White has nothing to do with his skills.”
Kurupt also noted the finer points of Melle Mel’s argument. “But yeah, he got away with a lot of things, shit, we got away with a lot of things once we became successful,” he added. “Once you’re successful, you can do whatever you want, and the game accepts it because they make money off what you’re doing, so they give you that pass. So, Melle Mel speaks from his perspective, but my generation, we really don’t agree. But hey, it’s good to agree or disagree, you know.”
