On social networks, users share their reactions after civil activist Dr. Umar Johnson’s explanation about why he does not consider Eminem one of the best rappers of all time. Johnson participated in a Patreon-exclusive episode of Joe Budden’s podcast, released on December 25.
During the conversation, Joe Budden asked Dr. Umar if he thought Eminem was one of the best rappers. The activist’s response focused on his “African fundamentalism,” arguing that no non-African can be the best at something African, considering it an insult to ancestors and the black race.
According to Johnson, entering another culture and standing out as the best would be impossible, and he emphasized that non-Africans must stop being named as the best in aspects of African cultural prowess. He compared the situation to the impossibility of standing out in Palestinian or Israeli culture if you do not belong to those communities.
Dr. Umar argued that putting a non-black person at the top of hip hop, a genre created by black people, is an act of white supremacy. He reinforced his point by mentioning DJ Khaled, of Palestinian descent, and DJ Vlad, a Ukrainian.
During the talk, Johnson suggested that Eminem, unlike other artists, does not contribute to social welfare by not being involved in building schools or hospitals, and exemplified DJ Khaled and DJ Vlad before being interrupted.
Eminem’s Impact on Hip-Hop and Sneaker Culture
Eminem, the iconic Detroit rapper, played a crucial role not only in the music industry but also in the realm of fashion and sneakers., long before Travis Scott stood out in collaborations with Air Jordan. With more than 220 million records sold, Eminem left an indelible mark on hip-hop culture.
During his golden years, Eminem didn’t just limit himself to music; He became a product sales phenomenon, among them sneakers. His favorite brand was, without a doubt, Jordan, with which he made numerous collaborations. One of his highlights was the dark model of the Air Jordan 4 x Carhartt, which commemorated the 15th anniversary of his album ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’. These sneakers, of which only 10 units were produced, were auctioned and the proceeds went to a foundation that helped troubled youth in Detroit.
Even though Eminem no longer has the same presence on the scene, his influence is still powerful. Recently, an ultra-rare Air Jordan signed by him went up for auction. This is the AJ 4 “Encore” model, an edition produced in 2005 and highly coveted by collectors, since it is rumored that only 50 original pairs were distributed among friends and family.
Sotheby’s, the prestigious auction house, announced that one of these coveted pairs will be available for bidding. The current offer exceeds $30,000, and it is estimated that it could reach $60,000. With a size of 10.5 inches, these sneakers are a treasure for lovers of rarities and attractive colors. What further elevates its value is the Slim Shady signature on the midfoot, along with the year of release, a key detail that will appeal to sneakerheads and hardcore Eminem fans alike.
Sotheby’s has been hosting intriguing auctions this year, from a Lamborghini from The Wolf of Wall Street to personal items from celebrities like Freddie Mercury and Paul Newman. With a letter of authentication from James Spence to back up the signature, it looks like this Eminem relic will continue Sotheby’s successful auction streak.
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