UPDATE: Eminem originally recorded “Diamonds” before Rihanna

Rihanna’s  one of the biggest hits, “Diamonds” from “Unapologetic” album, almost went to Eminem. While speaking with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, the song’s producer, Benny Blanco, reflected on the origins of the the track which he wrote with Stargate and Sia. Blanco admits that he originally wanted the song to go to Kanye West or Lana Del Rey. However, his collaborators had other ideas: EMINEM.

“Stargate’s like, ‘Yo, we’re giving this song to Rihanna. It’s going to go. And I was like, ‘I don’t know, man. Should we keep the beat for Kanye? I don’t know about it.’”

“I remember, at the same time, I had given a beat CD like a month earlier to Paul Rosenberg to give to Eminem. And apparently, Eminem had done a song to it, too. And I didn’t even know. And I’m sitting there… Dude, so when it happened, Paul was like, ‘Man, Em had that beat on hold.’ I was like, ‘What? I didn’t even know.’”

“I’m sitting there, and then I finally am like, ‘You know what, Stargate?’ I let go. I said, ‘You guys know better. Let’s do it. She cut the song. First of all, the second she cut the song, they were completely right. I was like, ‘This is the best song I’ve ever done.’” said Blanco.

Watch interview below: