Eminem was recently inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as part of the 2022 class. “I know that I’m a rapper, and this is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and there’s only a few of us right now who have been inducted in already,” he said during his speech as he paid tribute to those who paved the way in rap and hip-hop.
This list of rappers that are currently in the Hall Of Fame includes Jay-Z, Run-DMC, Biggie Smalls, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, N.W.A., Tupac, Public Enemy, and Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five. During Eminem’s acceptance, he rattled off a giant list of his biggest influences — some of which were prior rappers in the Rock Hall Of Fame.
He also took the time to recognize some other notable artists who deserve a future spot, from Wu-Tang Clan, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Queen Latifah, Outkast, and at least a hundred in total.
“Those were my rock stars, man,” Eminem said after finishing his list. “And I just want to say those are just a few of the names that I hope will be considered in the future for induction. Because without them, a lot of us wouldn’t be here. I know I wouldn’t.”
“So, that’s all I have to say, man. I know this induction is supposed to be me talking about myself and sh*t, man, but f*ck that,” he continued. “I would not be here without them. I’m a high school dropout, man, with a hip-hop education, and these were my teachers. And it’s their night, just as much as it is mine. So thank you.”
View Eminem’s full induction speech here.
