The long-standing tension between Tyler, the Creator and Eminem appears to be easing, as Tyler has publicly apologized for his past criticisms of Eminem’s 2010 album Recovery. This revelation came during Tyler’s appearance on the August 14 episode of Maverick Carter’s show, Mavericks.
In their conversation, Tyler reflected on his previous disdain for Eminem’s Recovery, an album that was both commercially successful and critically acclaimed for its introspective approach. Tyler had been outspoken about his dislike for the album, famously posting tweets that criticized its quality. However, it seems that Tyler has had a change of heart, particularly after watching the Netflix miniseries Painkiller.
“I feel so bad about saying that stuff because my perspective was so limited,” Tyler admitted on the show. His comments were a stark reversal from his earlier stance, where he had bluntly expressed his discontent with the album. Tyler’s remarks were not merely a critique of the music but, as he now realizes, were likely perceived as a personal attack on Eminem, who was in a vulnerable stage of his life.
Tyler recounted that watching Painkiller, which explores themes of addiction and recovery, gave him a new perspective on Eminem’s journey. “I felt so bad about those tweets and things like that because, thinking from his perspective, someone like me publicly saying that stuff, and him getting off drugs and being clean and getting to a point in life where that’s behind him, and me implying, ‘Nah, this s—t is wack,’” Tyler reflected. “He probably felt like I was attacking him.”
Tyler’s apology highlights a deeper understanding of Eminem’s personal battles during the era of Recovery. He revealed that Eminem’s work had a significant impact on his own development as a rapper, stating, “I love Eminem. That dude taught me how to rap. I learned how to put words together in rhythm because of some of the Eminem stuff I was hearing, and his storytelling.”
The feud between the two rappers had been marked by public exchanges, including a sharp retort from Eminem in his 2017 track “Fall,” which was later apologized for in an interview. Eminem admitted regret over his reaction, acknowledging that his intent to hurt Tyler had broader repercussions, impacting not just Tyler but others in the LGBTQ community.
In 2014, Eminem had invited Odd Future, Tyler’s collective, to support him at a Wembley Stadium show, which made the criticism feel like a betrayal. Tyler had previously downplayed the impact of Eminem’s derogatory lyrics, noting that he and his friends took it in stride. However, his recent reflection shows a significant shift in how he perceives those past events.
As Tyler expressed his regret, he left the door open for potential reconciliation. “I felt terrible. If I ever see him, I want to tell him that in person,” he said. It appears that the animosity between two of hip-hop’s influential figures might be on the path to healing, thanks in part to Tyler’s newfound empathy and understanding.
The apology underscores the importance of perspective and growth, particularly in the public eye. Tyler’s journey from criticism to understanding offers a poignant reminder of how personal experiences and media portrayals can shape and shift our views.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story and the latest from the world of music and entertainment.