When an artist has been in the game as long as Lil Wayne and Eminem, it can sometimes be challenging to come up with fresh material. The hip-hop heavyweights discussed this issue during Friday's episode of Young Money Radio, admitting they Google their own lyrics to ensure they aren't repeating bars.
"When we first start out, it's just like a blank canvas. We paint on that shit and keeping painting until every area is full," Em said, when asked about his primary source of inspiration. "When you made so many songs about everything, it gets a little tricky ... You start getting to the point where you've rapped about everything, you've rhymed every word there is to rhyme."
Wayne agreed: "If you go through my phone history, my Google history and you press L, first thing that will come up is 'Lil Wayne lyrics. I literally have to Google my lyrics to make sure I didn’t say certain stuff before."
Eminem, one of the most revered lyricists in hip-hop, admitted he also employs this tactic.
"Yo, I swear to god I do that too," Em said. "That’s funny as hell because I’ve been doing that for like the past five years, man. You be like, 'I knew I flipped this.'"
Wayne and Em also spoke on a wide range of topics, including Michael Jordan's Last Dance docu-series, some of their favorite rappers from the new generation, how they're getting through the COVID-19 lockdowns, Em's 2020 Academy Awards performance, and keeping old fans pleased while reaching new ones.
"You know what your core wants from you—I mean for the most part, I think we do," Em said. "You know what I'm saying? You could shoot for that core audience, but at the same time, it's gotta feel right to you. So I know you don't put music out until it feels right to you."
You can listen to Young Money Radio episode 3 on the Young Money Entertainment's YouTube channel. Other guests included Kevin Durant, Swizz Beatz, Nav, and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. During the episode, the latter announced he would follow in Em's footsteps and donate six figures to COVID-19 relief efforts in Detroit. The two have collective pledged $1 million toward the Motor City.
