"The new kids don't even know about him" — 42 Dugg suggests an explanation for Skilla Baby's comment about Eminem

42 Dugg recently attempted to explain Skilla Baby's comment about Eminem not being regarded as the best rapper by the younger generation in Detroit. During an appearance on The Breakfast Club on Thursday, July 11, the 29-year-old rapper admitted he was unaware of Skilla Baby's statement before the interview.

However, he offered insight into why he possibly said that younger rap enthusiasts might not consider Eminem the greatest of all time (GOAT).

"That’s probably how they feel. The new kids don’t even know about him. How would they? You have to really be a music person to go back… I know. That’s always my card when somebody brings up somebody from somewhere else, I’m like, ‘We got Eminem.’ I feel like he is the GOAT," Dugg remarked.

When questioned about the potential disconnect between Eminem's music and fans of street music, 42 Dugg elaborated on the significant impact Slim Shady has had on his own artistry and said:

"He made deep music. I go listen to Toy Soldiers or Stan, those are my favorite songs. So when it’s my turn to make real songs, I already damn near know how to channel it. Because I already know what I’m looking for: I’m looking for a Stan type of song."

---

Skilla Baby earlier questioned Eminem's status as Detroit's best rapper on Baby, This Is Keke Palmer podcast

Earlier this month, Skilla Baby questioned the Houdini rapper's status as the best rapper from Detroit during his appearance on the Baby, This Is Keke Palmer podcast. At around the 45-minute mark, during the "But the Gag Is" segment, host Keke Palmer asked the Bae artist, a native of the Motor City, his opinion on whether the Mockingbird artist is the best rapper from Detroit.

"Numbers wise, Eminem is the best Detroit rapper but the gag is nobody would say that in Detroit," Skilla Baby responded.

Surprised by his statement, Palmer replied:

"Now that’s tea, boo"

She then prompted Skilla Baby to name his top Detroit rappers. He elaborated on the dynamic nature of the city's rap scene, explaining that everyone has had their turn being Detroit's favorite rapper. He mentioned that Sada Baby, Tee Grizzley, [42] Dugg, Babyface Ray, Baby Smoove, Big Kizz, and Rocaine each "had a turn" and said, "Veeze is one of Detroit's best rappers now."

However, he noted that the city lacks consistency, as no one has consistently been Detroit's best rapper.

"Everybody had their turn being the best in the city, but what we lack is consistency. Nobody’s consistently been Detroit’s best rapper," he added.

Skilla Baby then said, "Nobody in Detroit plays Eminem right now." However, he mentioned that while he is a fan of the artist, he does not think Detroit considers him its best rapper.

"I’m a fan of Eminem but do we consider him our best rapper? I don’t think Detroit does," he said.

As per HipHopDX, Skilla took to Instagram to acknowledge other notable Detroit rappers such as Kash Doll, Big Sean, and more. He emphasized that he did not intend to throw shade at any artists he might have overlooked, acknowledging Detroit's abundance of talented rappers.

Eminem has also seemingly weighed in on the "best rapper" discourse in his new single Tobey, featuring Big Sean and BabyTron.

"Way beyond crazy, Shady gone, but hey, maybe, I am the GOAT/ With Big Sean and BabyTron, and that's why they be on the sh*t they be on, 'cause (Ugh)," he raps.

In light of his 12th studio album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), which released on July 12, the debate around his legacy continues. The album's lead single, Houdini, has already become the artist's highest-charting Billboard Hot 100 entry of the decade, debuting at No. 2 on the chart.