In the late 1990s hip-hop did not know the force that was about to totally take over the game, but a Marshall Mathers from Detroit was gearing up to unleash one of the most dominant eras in rap history. History has been written, millions of albums sold and Eminem's name elevated into the status of the greats, but every once in a while old footage is unearthed from various archives by DJs and old collaborators. Now DJ Eclipse has unearthed an unreleased freestyle from 1998 by the Rap God and his frequent collaborator Royce Da 5'9".
The two hour and 30 minute show has a great mix of old-school rap for all of the hip-hop heads out there. Before they start freestyling at 85:53, there is a very brief and informal interview with Em about his recent single and the tour he is on with Royce Da 5'9".
Some rappers today only are able to freestyle 16 or 32 bars and they always seem to be second rate, while Em probably could have put this on a track on an official release. After Mathers wraps up his own bars, his fellow Detroit rapper comes in to clean up with potent rhymes of his own.
The freestyle was just a teaser of what was to come the following year on Eminem's second studio album The Slim Shady LP that helped vault him to stardom.
"Merry Christmas everyone! Here goes another Halftime show from '98 with guests Eminem and Royce Da 5'9" (85:53). Short interview right into the freestyle session (if only cats today were as hungry as the 90s generation). As usual, Riz sets off the show lovely and then half way through I get on to finish up," says DJ Eclipse about the show. "Always good listening to the mic breaks to see what was going on during that time (i.e. Tramps shows, Fat Beats in-stores, new mixer...thanks Fat Beats!) (52:25). So much good music played."
