will.i.am talks Eminem influence

During his recent appearance on 3rd Verse podcast, will.i.am talked how much influence Eminem has in Interscope over other artists’ careers.

“They told me Eminem is the person who keeps the lights on in here. I’m like ‘what you mean the keeps the lights on?’ I never heard that terminology. They told me, he keeps this whole thing running. He sold so many records that everyone’s able to have a career. And I learned that in Interscope.” said will.i.am.

Then he continued: “There was a time when everybody was dropping. J5, The Roots, Slum Village and MOJO was like ‘the reason why you are able to make a record is because Eminem keeps the lights on in here. You got what it takes to keep the lights on.’ I’m like, ‘wait, say that again MOJO.’ And that information “Eminem keeps the lights on” and you should be able to keep the lights on too. You write, you produce. That’s all I needed to hear. Not like ‘you gotta make a hit! I need a hit song!’ Just ‘you should be a part of the fabric how all these lights are on.”

Watch the interview below:

“Eminem keeps the lights on” – https://t.co/6ypBcFrgED on how Eminem is Interscope’s biggest artist. pic.twitter.com/NA83KAeriQ
— Sona (@SonaShady8) February 4, 2026