Eminem is widely known as one of the most skilled and lyrical rappers of all time. His writing ability and wordplay are unmatched. But even he admits that one artist stands above the rest — Tupac Shakur.
For Eminem, Tupac isn’t just a legendary rapper — he’s the greatest songwriter of all time.
Why Eminem Believes Tupac Was the Greatest
Eminem has long admired Tupac’s ability to connect deeply with listeners. Even though Tupac’s lyrics weren’t always the most complex, it was his powerful delivery, emotion, and message that made every word hit hard.
“Tupac had this unmatched charisma,” Eminem once said. “You didn’t just hear him — you felt him.”
Despite having a short career, Tupac left a massive impact on the world of music. In just a few years, he accomplished more than most artists do in decades — and many agree with Eminem that he’s one of the greatest to ever touch a mic.
Eminem Praises Tupac on His Radio Show
During the 2020 pandemic, Eminem hosted a radio show called Music to Be Quarantined By on his Shade45 channel on Sirius XM. In one episode, he played Tupac’s powerful track If I Die Tonight from the Me Against The World album.
Before playing the song, Eminem made a heartfelt statement:
“This next song is from an artist that I feel like might be the greatest songwriter of all time… Debate what you want about MC skills, but Tupac had that, too.”
He continued by highlighting Tupac’s writing style and ability to combine heartfelt lyrics with poetic flow:
“‘They say pussy and paper is poetry, power and pistols, plotting on murdering motherfuckers before they get you.’ That play on the ‘P’ words and how he delivered it was crazy. But it was more than just wordplay — it was the emotion. That’s why Tupac always said, ‘Can you feel me?’ Because you really felt him.”
Tupac’s Legacy Lives On
Even decades after his passing, Tupac’s music still resonates deeply with fans and artists alike. Eminem’s words are a strong reminder of just how influential Tupac was — not just as a rapper, but as a true poet and storyteller.
In a world full of incredible lyricists, being called the greatest songwriter of all time by someone like Eminem is the highest form of respect.
