Big Sean is giving major props to Eminem, calling out his unmatched dedication to the craft of rap. In a recent interview on The Zach Sang Show, the Detroit rapper opened up about how much Eminem’s work ethic has inspired him—and how a simple moment in the studio taught him a powerful life lesson.
Eminem’s Work Ethic Is Next-Level
Big Sean compared Eminem’s passion for rap to Goku’s obsession with training in Dragon Ball Z.
“Eminem is the biggest rapper in the world, and he’s in the studio every day. He cares about rapping like Goku cares about fighting. He’s in that mug, in that studio, every single day.”
Sean said it’s this kind of consistency and discipline that sets Eminem apart from the rest, no matter how successful he gets.
The Day Eminem Asked Big Sean for an Autograph
Sean also shared a story from their first studio session together—something he’ll never forget.
They were eating Jet’s Pizza, watching South Park, and working on a song when Eminem wrapped up for the night. Sean, a huge Eminem fan, had planned to bring his old CDs of The Slim Shady LP, The Marshall Mathers LP, and The Eminem Show to get signed but decided not to, thinking it might be “lame.”
But then, Eminem flipped the script:
“At the end of the session, he pulls out my CDs and says, ‘Yo, can you sign these?’ He said they weren’t for him, but still, I was blown away.”
Sean called it a valuable lesson:
“Never be too cool to be a fan of who you’re a fan of.”
Eminem’s 9-to-5 Approach to Music
Big Sean’s story mirrors what Akon once said about Eminem’s commitment—describing how Eminem treats rap like a 9-to-5 job, showing up on time and putting in the work like any dedicated professional.
A Role Model for the Industry
With stories like these, it’s no surprise Eminem continues to inspire artists across all genres. His passion, humility, and relentless grind are what keep him at the top—even decades into his career.
Watch Big Sean’s interview to hear more about what he learned from working with Eminem.
