At first glance, Ed Sheeran and Eminem couldn’t be more different—one is a soft-spoken, heartfelt singer, while the other is a raw, unapologetic rap icon. But as it turns out, the British pop star credits Eminem with helping him overcome a childhood stutter.
Ed Sheeran’s Speech Struggles and Eminem’s Unexpected Role
During a recent appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Sheeran opened up about his severe childhood stammer and how listening to Eminem’s music unexpectedly helped him.
Sheeran first spoke about his condition in 2015, revealing that a botched anaesthetic during infant surgery led to his speech struggles. Despite trying speech therapy, nothing seemed to work—until his uncle gifted him Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP at age nine.
“When I was nine, I was going through all sorts of speech therapy, and my uncle bought me The Marshall Mathers LP.… By learning that record and rapping it back to back, it cured my stutter!”
From Fan to Collaborator: Sheeran and Eminem’s Friendship
Years later, Sheeran had the opportunity to collaborate with Eminem, creating three songs together and even performing “Stan” at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Recalling the moment he got the call to join Eminem on stage, Sheeran said:
“I was shooting a music video, got a plane straight after, flew there for the song, and then flew back that night. It was really worth it.”
Sheeran also reflected on their rare friendship, explaining that Eminem is a private person who doesn’t meet many people.
“I think it’s different with Eminem because he is quite reclusive. I’ve known him for six years, we’ve done three songs together, and I’ve played with him twice on stage. He’s another person I really relate to, as he still lives in his hometown and has his ecosystem around him.”
An Unlikely Bond That Changed Sheeran’s Life
From overcoming a stutter through rap to performing alongside his idol, Sheeran’s journey proves the power of music and unexpected friendships. His story is a testament to how hip-hop’s influence reaches far beyond its genre, even changing lives in ways no one could predict.
