Ab-Soul has revealed that the first CD he ever bought was an Eminem album.
Speaking to Uproxx on Sound Check, the TDE rapper discussed the influence the rap legend had on him.
Ab-Soul said: “Eminem is the first CD that I bought. It’s interesting because I grew up in a record shop. So I had everything but my mama would always give me the clean version.
“I can’t remember if it was The Slim Shady LP or The Marshall Mathers LP that I bought but I know it was Eminem. It was the first one I snuck in and bought.”
Eminem recently beat out Ab-Soul’s longtime friend and former TDE stablemate Kendrick Lamar at the American Music Awards.
Em caused something of an upset when he took home Favorite Hip Hop Artist and Favorite Hip Hop Album ahead of wide favorite Lamar.
While the Compton superstar did pick up a win for Favorite Hip Hop Song with “Not Like Us”, he was otherwise shut out at the ceremony.
Lamar was nominated across five other categories including Artist of the Year but was beaten by Billie Eilish.
Eilish also triumphed over Lamar in Album of the Year and Song of the Year.
Lamar and SZA were also nominated for Collaboration of the Year but beaten by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga with their smash hit “Die With A Smile”.
“Die With A Smile” also beat “Not Like Us” to Favorite Music Video.
Eminem’s win was later called in to question by Kai Cenat who attended the awards in person.
Livestreaming his reaction, Cenat said: “Let’s be real. I fuck with Slim Shady but let’s be real.”
He added: “Eminem is tough but let’s be real though, gang.”
Kendrick would later bounce back at the BET Awards where he won Album of the Year, Best Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration Video of the Year and Video Director of the Year, the latter two of which he shared with longtime creative partner Dave Free.
Lamar appeared on the TV broadcast to collect the award for Album of the Year and gave a brief speech to the crowd in attendance.
He said: “I ain’t been here in a long time but I always kept my heart BET. I always made sure they representing the culture right and they put me in the midst of the cycle we represent and that’s real, true, down to earth music that people can feel so I always give my heart to BET.”
