TDE rapper shares early influence as Eminem scores unexpected wins over Lamar at the AMAs
Ab-Soul has revealed that his first-ever CD purchase was from none other than Eminem — a defining influence on his early love of hip hop. In a recent appearance on Uproxx’s Sound Check, the Top Dawg Entertainment rapper shared, “Eminem is the first CD that I bought. It’s interesting because I grew up in a record shop… but my mama would always give me the clean version.”
He continued, “I can’t remember if it was The Slim Shady LP or The Marshall Mathers LP, but I know it was Eminem. It was the first one I snuck in and bought.”
The timing of the revelation comes as Eminem recently pulled off a surprise victory over Ab-Soul’s longtime friend and labelmate Kendrick Lamar at the American Music Awards, winning Favorite Hip Hop Artist and Favorite Hip Hop Album. Lamar, despite multiple nominations, only secured one win — Favorite Hip Hop Song for his chart-topping diss track “Not Like Us.”
The decision drew criticism online, including from streamer Kai Cenat, who livestreamed his disbelief: “Let’s be real… Eminem is tough but come on, gang.”
Lamar later redeemed himself at the BET Awards, sweeping several top honors and reinforcing his status as a cultural force.