‘Eminem Is Only A Top 5 Best Rapper Because He’s White’ – Melle Mel

Legendary rapper Melle Mel recently appeared on The Art of Dialogue podcast where he discussed the recently released Billboard & Vibe’s Top 50 greatest rappers list. During the conversation, the Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five icon shared his thoughts on Eminem’s place on the list and argued that the rapper is only at number 5 because he’s white.

Melle Mel acknowledged that Eminem is a capable rapper and has achieved massive sales in the industry. However, he stated that if Eminem were a Black artist, he may not have made it to the top 5 on the list.

He went on to suggest that Black rappers with comparable rhyme styles to Eminem are often overlooked and do not receive the same level of recognition.

“Obviously he’s a capable rapper. If you were talking about rhyme style, okay he got a rhyme style. But he’s white. He’s white,” Melle Mel said. “So now if Eminem was another nia like all the rest of us, would he be Top 5 on that list when a nia that could rhyme just as good as him is 35? That had records and all that? He’s 35. He’s white.”

Melle Mel also pointed out that race plays a significant role in the music industry and argued that Black artists are often overlooked or undervalued compared to their white counterparts. He cited Royce Da 5’9”, a rapper who is often compared to Eminem, as an example of a Black artist who has not achieved the same level of success as Eminem.

“I heard he’s just as good as Eminem. Why he ain’t as big as Eminem? Because he’s Black. Ain’t none of that sh*t hard to figure out. Eminem gets a top spot because he’s white,” Melle Mel stated.

Melle Mel’s comments have sparked a conversation about race in the music industry and the ways in which white artists may receive advantages over their Black counterparts.

While Eminem is widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, Melle Mel’s comments have raised important questions about the role of race in shaping our perceptions of talent and success in the music industry.

As the music industry continues to grapple with issues of race and representation, it is crucial that we remain mindful of the ways in which race impacts our perceptions of talent and success.

Melle Mel’s comments serve as a powerful reminder that there is still much work to be done to create a more equitable and just music industry for all.