Joe Budden podcast host says Eminem can’t sell out stadiums without pop star

During a recent episode of the The Joe Budden Podcast, the hosts discussed Kanye West’s announcement that he plans to embark on a stadium tour, sparking debate about whether the controversial rapper could realistically sell out venues of that size today.

While the panel weighed Ye’s drawing power, co-host Ice argued that filling stadiums is a massive challenge for most hip-hop artists without additional crossover appeal. According to Ice, rap alone rarely moves enough tickets at that scale.

“Most rappers need a pop act to help fill arenas,” he explained, pointing out that stadium and arena tours often rely on broader mainstream audiences. Ice even used Eminem as an example, noting that during parts of his career the Detroit legend still collaborated with major pop stars to expand the reach of his tours and records.

The conversation ultimately centered on whether Kanye’s name alone — despite his historic success and loyal fanbase — is still powerful enough in the current climate to consistently pack stadiums around the world. The hosts questioned if Ye would need major supporting acts or special production elements to guarantee those massive venues are filled night after night.

Parks Vallely and Marc Lamont Hill instantly disagreed Ice and said Eminem can easily sell out any stadium tour anywhere. You can watch the segment of the podcast below:

Joe Budden Podcast reacting to Kanye West announcing a stadium tour and will Ye actually sell those seats out? Ice chimes in: Most rappers need a pop act to fill arenas… even someone on Eminem’s level needed that pop help pic.twitter.com/lb8JNOj7Qj
— joebuddenclips/fanpage (@chatnigga101) March 11, 2026