Akon Did Not Expect Eminem's Daily Structure While Working In The Studio
Eminem is a rap legend, who is no stranger to the limelight. Be it his personal baggage, the money that he makes, or how he handles things on stage, Eminem has had all areas of his life covered. This tends to happen when someone has been famous for nearly 30 years.
Eminem has collaborated with a number of artists, including Akon. In an interview, Akon opened up about what it was like to work with Eminem in the studio. The singer was stunned when he saw that Eminem approached his studio time like a normal job.
Let's hear what Akon had to say, and learn how the two came together to drop a song that was a massive radio hit.
Akon And Eminem Have Had Wildly Successful Careers
In the vast symphony of the music industry, two names reverberate with an undying resonance: Akon and Eminem. These musical maestros have left an indelible mark, not just on the charts but on the very soul of the music world.
Akon, born Aliaune Thiam, emerged from the crucible of musical obscurity in St. Louis, Missouri. His ascendancy to the zenith of the music industry was not meteoric but measured. His debut album, Trouble, released in 2004, was a veritable sensation. It spawned hits like "Locked Up" and "Lonely," each a testament to Akon's emotive vocal prowess.
Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, hails from Detroit, Michigan. His journey into the rap pantheon is one of grit and resilience, marked by a tumultuous personal life. His debut album, Infinite, barely made a ripple in the industry, but it was just the first chapter of his storied career.
Eminem's lyrical prowess and storytelling abilities have earned him a throne in the pantheon of rap legends, influencing a generation of artists. His willingness to tackle personal demons, addiction, and societal issues in his music has made him a voice for those grappling with similar challenges.
These two giants have collaborated, and in an interview, Akon opened up about how Eminem tackles things in the studio.
Akon Described Eminem's Process In The Studio As 9 To 5
According to Hot New Hip Hop, Akon described Eminem treating his studio time like a normal job.
"He was the first artist I worked with who treated the business like a real job," Akon said.
The singer continued, shedding some light on how the two approached things differently.
"He comes in at 9 Am every day to the studio, takes his lunch break at 1, and is out of there by 5 PM. It’s like a schedule. I didn’t expect that from him. The first day I come, I come around 6. Like we going to do an evening session. I get to the studio, they said ‘Em just left!’ He said ‘I’m out of here!’ I said ‘I just got to the studio, you coming back here?’ He said, ‘yeah, I’ll be back there at 9 AM," Akon continued.
As Akon's story continued, he talked about how the legendary rapper even took a normal lunch break.
"Plays some beats, we vibing. Em’s like, ‘yo I’m about to go out for lunch.’ I said I’ll meet you after…He goes takes his lunch, after an hour comes back. I play him the record, play him the chorus. He’s like oh, this is it!”
It's such a stark contrast to the way other people approach studio time, but to Eminem's credit, he understands that his studio time should not dominate his entire life.
As this portion of the interview winded down, Akon admitted that Eminem has a great way of doing things.
"I was like ‘damn, he’s right. Some days I’m in the studio three, four days. I don’t come out. Don’t see my kids, don’t call my wife, none of that. I’m sitting here like, [Em’s way] makes a lot of sense. Ain’t nothing gon’ change between today and tomorrow, the singer said.
Despite their schedule differences, their collab was a major hit.
Akon And Eminem's Collab Was A Major Hit
"Smack That" made its grand entrance into the music scene in 2006, immediately striking a chord with listeners of all ages. It wasn't long before it stormed the Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it became a fixture for longer than most were anticipating. The song's staying power speaks volumes about its mass appeal and infectious vibe, which had listeners hitting the repeat button again and again.
In an era where digital downloads were becoming increasingly popular, "Smack That" set a new benchmark. It achieved multi-platinum status, signifying not only its widespread popularity but also the evolving way in which people consumed music. The song's digital success was a precursor to the digital revolution that would soon reshape the music industry.
Akon and Eminem had wildly different studio approaches, but they made it work to the tune of a smash hit.
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