In an exclusive clip taken from a documentary focused on early rap pioneer The D.O.C., Eminem is singing the praises of the legendary rapper.
The DOC is set to premiere this week at the Tribeca Festival. The Dave Caplan-directed feature promises to tell the story of D.O.C. from his work in the Fila Fresh Crew to grappling with his legacy in the world of hip-hop. In the clip seen above, Eminem offers some high praise for one of D.O.C.’s best solo songs and highlights how he really pioneered the West-Coast sound in the late ‘80s.
“He was doing things that nobody had done yet, like just lyrically,” he said, before going reciting the song verse from “Mind Blowin’,” which appeared on the 1989 album No One Can Do It Better. “I would’ve been down with Rock but I’d be broke / By the punk, I’m openin’ up my trunk / To reveal, death, livin’ it up, my life is like a story / Yellin’ it, ‘cause nobody else is tellin’ it / Checkin’ it, always gettin’ paid ‘cause the rap is sort of a twist.”
He then called over D.O.C. to hear him rap the verse, for a clarification on one of the track’s lines. “What the fuck… What was that right there?” he said after interrupting himself. “Never a segment in negative / ‘Cause I’m employin’ what you’ve been missin,’” he replied.
“How the fuck did you do that shit, goddamn,” Em added.
After releasing the influential No One Can Do It Better, the D.O.C. was involved in a near-fatal crash that damaged his larynx and left him with a much raspier voice. “The DOC is a film about redemption. It’s a story about achieving your greatest dream only to have it ripped away, then to eventually find peace in an unexpected place,” said director Dave Caplan. “I can’t express how honored and grateful I am that D.O.C. allowed me to help bring his story to life and I hope that you love it as much as I do.”
Other rappers set to appear in the documentary include Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Erykah Badu, Ice Cube, Xzibit, Kurupt, and Too Short among others. Watch the clip above.
For tickets to watch a screening in New York, head here.
