Kurupt Says Praise From Eminem “Brings Tears to Your Eyes”

Legendary West Coast lyricist Kurupt recently reflected on the deep respect he receives from hip-hop’s top tier during an appearance on the CUHMUNITY podcast. When asked about being immortalized by Eminem on the iconic 2002 track “Till I Collapse“—where Slim Shady famously ranked Kurupt among his all-time favorite emcees—the Tha Dogg Pound veteran opened up about what that level of recognition truly feels like away from the cameras.

Expressing his gratitude for both Eminem and Kendrick Lamar acknowledging his direct influence on their styles, Kurupt shared the full depth of his emotions: “Eminem, Kendrick, to hear love from the MCs this caliber, this type s–t bring tears to your eyes when you are behind the closed doors. Em was the first one to let him know Kurupt was his influence, then Kendrick came and let him know. I appreciate that so much from both of them, it’s priceless. It’s nothing I can do to even give back to them the joy they brought to me from that. I can tell you that.”

For Kurupt, whose razor-sharp delivery and complex multi-syllabic flows helped define the ’90s West Coast sound, seeing giants of the genre carry his influence forward is the ultimate validation. Eminem’s legendary shoutout placed Kurupt alongside icons like Redman, Jay-Z, Tupac, Biggie, Andre 3000, Jadakiss, and Nas, solidifying Young Gotti’s permanent spot in the rap canon.

Ultimately, Kurupt’s reaction serves as a powerful reminder of hip-hop’s generational lineage and mutual reverence. While fans endlessly debate top-five lists, receiving genuine appreciation from two of the highest-selling and most critically acclaimed lyricists in history remains an irreplaceable honor that no award can replicate.

Eminem Kurupt