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FROM OUR
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Dear friends The pandemic has changed many
aspects of our life with the impact
In these difficult times when everyone especially noticeable in show business:
has to completely change their lives all scheduled shows are rescheduled
and habits in order to survive and or cancelled, all plans are disrupted,
keep safe those around us, ePro turns organisers and fans both losing their
self-isolation into positive action. We money. Yelawolf, Shady-family mem-
are used to working remotely and ber, had to cancel his European tour.
we work on keeping you entertained
while you are home-bound. This is why we decide to make this
special issue for you, to write articles
We present this EJ special issue in sup- you can enjoy reading at home. We
port of “Together at Home”, the cam- have a gift for the fans who had to miss
paign launched by Global Citizen and cancelled Yelawolf’s shows – a special
World Health Organization to encour- review that will transport you to his
age people to practice social distancing show and will give you a taste of its
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many magic.
artists join the campaign playing inti-
mate “home” sets, entertaining their Please, stay at home. If you feel sad
fans and helping us stay at home. and lonely you can find us on social
media, we are always ready to talk.

Take care of yourself. With love, ePro.

— Igor Basenko &

Katerina Malik

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 INTERVIEW REQUEST
Hello Marshall!
We’re the Eminem.Pro team, which is the biggest fan-base project dedicated to
Eminem and Shady Recodrds’ artists. Our project started as a hobby and grew into
a media platform. We have created a unique and convenient resource for your fans
(both Russian and English speaking), where people can read accumulated news from
various hip-hop portals, watch videos, interviews, performances, discuss them. Along
with translation of news from American and European media, we also create our
own material such as reviews, articles, magazine and video digest (all our content is
available in both languages). We have developed apps for iOS and Android. Our daily
audience counts dozens of thousands of people. We represent a community of millions
of Russian fans, and we ask for an interview because we believe that the Russian
— speaking part of your fan base deserves to be heard and to ask their questions.
Our project is 100% non-profit and every person working with us is a volunteer,
we do not benefit from it, on the contrary — for 8 years we have been investing
our own resources to support it. We kindly ask you to find an opportunity to have a
conversation with us using any platform or messaging service convenient for you.

Sincerely yours, ePro team.

support@eminem.pro
 P I R E D
INS STER
BY M A CLE FR
OM K AT ERINA
MALIK

SIVE ARTI
EXCLU
 een
o m m o n betw
nc ut
e d much i ncle Alfred. B l see
n U l
a t h a s span E m and r a n d you wi er-
eer t h e clos e t
In a car r s , M arshal c o m e m u l tiple in
25 yea ce ere ar n them ive
, and
nearly more than on - that th e t w e e
s in ns b creat
Mather d those who im as sectio ly Eminem’s ays,
ne h en lw
mentio m and served ames sudd p p e a rs, as a and
i t of n a
spired
h
. The lis l e design ted, intricate y
p l e n c ce he
m
an exa sive: his own him
u multifa So, what do t l
es x. ha
is impr ho introduce of
d comple mmon, Mars ho
,w rs in c o dw
Ronnie p, the pionee ctiv- have s, a Detroit ki egend,
ho a er pl
to hip- , social rights erse, Math out to be a ra he
re iv t
the gen e this list is d turned d Hitchcock,
hil erson w
h o r e night
ists. W f t h e p and Alf f suspense, K r of
eo st er o rde
the nam enced his late e for mast nder of the O
lu is a
had inf me as a surpr nce, Comm h Empire?
a a tis
album
c
e d , a t first g
l the Bri
nd e ot
many. I ike there is n
s l
it seem
The most obvious is that both of
them symbolise the genres they
work in. Even people who do not
like hip-hop or suspense know their
names. Both of them were pioneers
and to some extent set the standards
in their field. Also, both of them are
extremely productive creators with
impressive artistic longevity. Hitch-
cock is one of the most influential di-
rectors in history, who released over
50 films in the 60 years of his career,
46 of which were nominated for an
Oscar and were awarded 6 times. In
his turn, Eminem over 25 years in
business has got so many awards and
accolades that even the most patient
of our readers will be exhausted to
read the full list. There are record
sales, a Guinness record for the most
words in a hit single, the first Oscar
for a rapper, fifteen Grammy awards
and many many more. However, it is
most likely that not these overlaps
inspired Marshall but rather some
resemblance in their personal traits.
Here is how actress Ingrid Bergman
described Alfred Hitchcock:
“His humour and his sharp wit are a
delight. He likes, I think, very real people.
If someone on the set was a phoney, he
was liable to start a sort of a double-talk,
which sounded like an absolutely normal
conversation but turned out to be non-
sense. That is how he got rid of visitors”.
This description fits Eminem nicely: the
wit, the twisted humour, infinite inter-
pretations. Marlene Dietrich recalled
Hitchcock as a man who was charming
and shy at the same time. Does it ring
any bells? The more you learn about
Alfred Hitchcock, the more you realise
that he is a perfect role model for Emi-
nem. A person with multiple anxieties
(Hitchcock was scared of the police, his
own films and round objects) put fear
in generations. Maybe Hitchcock’s life
and legacy helped Eminem with his own
self-discovery. “Music To Be Murdered
By” is a perfect fusion of two Marshall’s
alter-egos: Eminem and Slim Shady. It’s
like the war is over, daddy doesn’t have
to choose who is his favourite child, ap-
parently, both sides of his personality
can peacefully co-exist presenting a new
strong and complex artist to the fans. Em
is inspired by giants, only it seems that
he is not interested in perfection, while
such figures as Hitchcock provide him
with a standing point for his constant
creative growth and attempts to under-
stand and, who knows, heal himself.
The unlikely collaboration of the genius-
es made the album interesting, sincere
and stylistically striking. Having listened
to it many times I ask myself, what else
Eminem can do to surprise us? Where
else can Marshall find inspiration? Here
is Top 5 of my suggestions:
1. Nero, “the bloody poet”.
This Roman emperor
doesn’t seem to be a good
example, but the blood-
thirsty ruler who murdered
half of his family in a very
sophisticated manner can
show Slim Shady s a trick
or two. Nero ordered his
teacher, philosopher Sen-
eca, to commit suicide, and
while his was slowly bleed-
ing his life out, slaves were
documenting his last words.
It is believed that Nero set
Rome on fire to admire the
view and that his garden
was illuminated with the
burning bodies of slaves
who disobeyed his orders.
At the same time, the arts,
theatre, music, architec-
ture were his true passion.
Nero loved reciting his own
poems from stage, and his
performances were obliga-
tory to watch with a death
penalty to anyone who
decided to leave early. A
treasure trove of pinspira-
tion for Slim, is it not?
2. Oscar Wilde, the most
controversial English
writer. Flamboyant, defi-
ant, he once proclaimed at
customs control: “I have
nothing to declare but my
genius”. Wilde was an easy
target for journalists who
pulled no punches attack-
ing the writer. Not once did
he have to stand up to his
critics, many of his writings
were banned from publish-
ing or production because
of their alleged immoral-
ity and cynicism. A smart
dandy with lethally sharp
wit might provide inspira-
tion to Em, don’t you think?
3. Were he alive today, Russian poet
Sergei Yesenin, a rowdy reveller, would
look very organic in Eminem’s friends
circle. He was stubborn, tough, hot-
blooded. He was perceived as intoler-
ant - the same way as Eminem was. He
constantly got involved in brawls, he did
not like neither fellow poets nor author-
ity figures, and they reciprocated. Add
to the mix his complicated relationship
with alcohol and toxic relationships with
women. The resemblance is obvious. I
don’t even have to mention that he was a
poetic genius and insanely popular with
a fairer sex.

4. This list would not be complete with-

out Salvador Dali, a genius madman,
master of controversy, the symbol of sur-
realism. In his early years, his multiple
anxieties made him a loner, he could not
fit with other kids and chose the role of
a jester, a freak, weird and eccentric. The
misunderstood and excluded kid had
grown up to be an epically productive
artist with over 1500 creations in his
catalogue. There are paintings, sculp-
tures, stage designs, marketing design
(for instance, he designed Chupa Chups
logo), jewellery, films and even an ani-
mated film for Disney Studios. Dali was
industrious and indisputably talented.
His biography, his legacy, his diaries, the
story of his complicated relationship eagerly waiting for it. And who else do
with his wife are inspiring, especially you think can inspire Em?
for the talented artist with an equally
difficult childhood. This description fits Eminem nicely:
the wit, the twisted humour, infinite
5. Marshall’s compatriot O. Henry (Wil- interpretations. Marlene Dietrich
liam Sydney Porter) deserves special recalled Hitchcock as a man who was
mention. The short story writer, who charming and shy at the same time.
made plot twist endings his signature Does it ring any bells? The more you
feature, was not too boring himself. He learn about Alfred Hitchcock, the
was a good storyteller, had a knack for more you realise that he is a perfect
music and theatre. He eloped his first role model for Eminem. A person with
wife, flew to South America to escape multiple anxieties (Hitchcock was
the charges of embezzlement and years scared of the police, his own films
after surrendered himself to authori- and round objects) put fear in gen-
ties to reunite with his beloved wife erations. Maybe Hitchcock’s life and
who was dying from tuberculosis. His legacy helped Eminem with his own
writing career took off when he was self-discovery. “Music To Be Murdered
imprisoned. This charming trickster By” is a perfect fusion of two Marshall’s
became one of the favourite American alter-egos: Eminem and Slim Shady. It’s
writers but despite his popularity he like the war is over, daddy doesn’t have
did not like publicity and was very to choose who is his favourite child,
private. The self-deprecating genius apparently, both sides of his personal-
did not trust public praise and deemed ity can peacefully co-exist presenting
himself a failure who was still to write a new strong and complex artist to the
his main book. fans. Em is inspired by giants, only it
seems that he is not interested in per-
I choose to finish this list with his fection, while such figures as Hitchcock
name because I believe that Eminem’s provide him with a standing point for
main work is still to come. It does his constant creative growth and at-
not matter whether it will be inspired tempts to understand and, who knows,
by someone or will reflect Marshall’s heal himself.
psyche, fans around the world are
YELAWOLF X
EMINEM.PRO:
A CONVERSATION
WITH A WILD
WOLF

February 14th. Moscow-Rostov-

Nashwill. Instead of going all roman-
tic we got comfortable in our arm-
chairs and had the interview with
Yelawolf. We had talked with him
before and we knew that Yelawolf
is an open and outgoing person and
interviews with him are always inter-
esting. A lot has happened since our
last conversation in summer 2015,
before his previous Moscow show.
Yelawolf is an independent artist
now and he has something to share
with his fans.
 AN EXCLUSIVE
INTERVIEW
ABOUT MAGIC,
LEAVING EMINEM’S
LABEL AND THE
LIFE OF AN
INDEPENDENT
ARTIST
[ *** A dial tone *** ]

Concert promoter: So, we are ready to start. Please, wel-

come, Wolf – and Ekaterina

Katerina Malik (“Eminem.Pro”): Yeah, you can call me

just Katrina or Kate, it’s easier…

Yelawolf: Okay.

Eminem.Pro: Hi Wolf!

Yelawolf: Hi, how are you?

Eminem.Pro: Oh, I’m good, how about you?

Yelawolf: Not bad.

Eminem.Pro: You hear me ok? The sound’s good?

Yelawolf: Yeah.
Eminem.Pro: My name is
Katrina? And I’m the editor
of the “Eminem.Pro” proj-
ect. And also Igor’s here, his
speechless ‘cause he has a
really great problem with his
throat. So I’m gonna be the
voice, but he’s here. We met
before, during the first Rus-
sian tour, we did an interview
with you, my colleague did an
interview with you and gave
you a yellow Russian doll. Do
you remember it? Did you
manage to bring it home with
you?
Yelawolf: Yeah, yeah. I got, I
bring everything I get back to
the house. Yeah, it’s up in, uh,
up in my collection of stuff.
Thank you for that again.
Eminem.Pro: Oh, it’s, it’s, it’s
great. Um, I’m, I’m here today
as a E-Pro reporter and we
also run one of your biggest
fan clubs, “Yelavision”. So all
the questions that I’m going
to ask today, uh, were sent to
us by your fans, from Russia,
and from the US, from ev-
erywhere. From people who
really love your music.
Yelawolf: Okay.
Eminem.Pro: So, I
hope that you will
feel comfortable
answering this, but if you
don’t, uh, you can just men-
tion it and it’s going to be off
the record. It’s not going to
be published anywhere with-
out your permission. Okay?
Yelawolf: Okay.
Eminem.Pro: Okay. So let’s
roll. Last year you released
two studio albums. It’s
“Trunk Muzik 3” on Shady
Records and “Ghetto Cow-
boy” on your own Slumerican
records. It’s unusual, because
you used to work in a slower
pace. We were waiting for
“Love Story” and “Trial By
Fire” for years. Does it mean
that fans can expect you to
work a bit faster now? More
dynamic?
Yelawolf: Uh, yeah. Yeah,
for sure. I think that, um,
that was a happenstance of
… I would sitting on to the
“Ghetto Cowboy” record …
so I, I had some of them in
the bag already and um, you
know, I was just, I was ready
to drop, we all were ready to
drop it. So, uh, yeah, I mean
there, there could be, you
know, more, uh, dissonance
in between record releases,
but it’s definitely not going
to be … just won’t be anyone
else’s decision, so to speak.
You know what I mean? If I
choose not to drop a record
[inaudible years] times, it’ll
just be because that’s what
I want to do. A lot of times,
you know, if I feel like I’m,
you know, feeling creative
and want to jump in the
studio and keep dropping
records, then that’s what I’ll
do.
Eminem.Pro: Oh, that, that’s
great news. Fans were happy
to hear this seventh track
from “Box Chevy” on your
new album. Can you speak a
little bit about it?
Yelawolf: Yeah. “Box Chevy”
is, you know, series of re-
cords that I do for the fans.
Eminem.Pro: Yeah. We ap-
preciate it.
Yelawolf: Hell yeah, I’m glad.
I’m glad that you guys like
it. Um, yeah. So yeah, I’ve
just become tradi-
tional at this point
with what the
“Trunk Muzik” releases that
I would do a Box Chevy, and
then I kinda bled over into
love story. So now I just,
you know, start putting Box
Chevies, you know, in proj-
ects whenever I feel inspired
to do it. So one day you guys
will have a huge collection of
Box Chevy records.
Eminem.Pro: We don’t mind
it actually. Also I get a lot of
questions from fans about
what would you choose
between bikes and Chevro-
let Chevy 1979. If you were
to choose, what would your
decision be?
Yelawolf: Uh, 79 Caprice
‘cause it’s a great classic
Chevrolet all day. If I had to
choose one or the other, she
was in a Box Chevy.
Eminem.Pro: Great. Okay.
Um, so your European tour,
“Ghetto Cowboy Tour” is
coming, uh, and the fans are
excited, but can you, uh, just
describe your album, your
new album? In couple of
sentences, what do you think
about it, what you feel about
it? And what do you want
your listener to feel after
they listen to your music?
Yelawolf: Um, yeah, “Ghetto
Cowboy” was the piece and
of “Trunk Muzik” and a piece
of “Love Story”, basically. I
sprinkled in some “Trial By
Fire” a little bit, but I made
“Ghetto Cowboy” in a really
good place. And uh, I was and
still like just moving around a
lot. And I was running actu-
ally back and forth to the
studio around five miles and
I would come to the studio
just energized. So I think that
the record’s just a reflec-
tion of, you know, where I’m
at right now. And I’m just
excited about the next phase
of my career and I’m excited
to make new music. So I was
hoping that even though
there’s pieces of some of our
earlier stuff that it, it still
felt new and it still felt like a
polished version of my music
so far. You know, I tried to
create like the best of styles.
And at this record especially,
I had the fans in mind the
whole time, um, all the way
down to especially “You And
Me”. But I was thinking about
the fans making this entire
record more than any before
because, uh, just listening to
what I felt that they like the
most of all of the music. So…
Eminem.Pro: When did you
get the idea of that you want
to release the record with
this motto, with this mes-
sage, with this dedication to
fans or something in mind
when did you have the idea?
Yelawolf: Um, well I knew
that, you know, my indepen-
dence was right around the
corner, you know, and I knew
that the last record, my last
record from Shay was going
to be “Trunk Muzik 3”. So I, I
wanted my first ND project to
be a statement.
Eminem.Pro: Oh, that was
my next question. Right?
Yup. So, I wanted to ask that,
uh, you releaseв this album
just immediately after leav-
ing Shady Records and many
fans felt that it was like a
statement that you can work
without a major label, that
you feel that you are mature
enough to become an inde-
pendent artist to create your
own label. So was it a
statement, was this album re-
corded to let fans feel it?
Yelawolf: What what was the
specific question? I’m sorry.
Eminem.Pro: I mean was
your “Ghetto Cowboy” album
a statement to let your fan
base know that you can work
as an independent artist and
you can work fast and you
can do something just three
months after you leave the
big label? So you wanted to
show fans that you’re ready
to become an independent
artist.
Yelawolf: That wasn’t a pre-
meditated move, so I didn’t
do that based on some sort
of plan that I make music
quickly usually. Аnd when it’s
done, it’s done. At this point
I don’t have to wait. I didn’t
have to wait. There was noth-
ing holding me back from
releasing a record. There was
no one that said, “no, you
can’t do it today, no, you can’t
do it next month”. Uh, we
put it out when we wanted
to put it out, you know? Uh,
and I think it was a statement
creatively for the fan.
Eminem.Pro: Yeah. That’s
what I meant.
Yelawolf: I didn’t intend on
it being a statement busi-
nesswise. I’ve got nothing to
that, but it ended up being
that, you know, but it wasn’t
intentional. It’s just, that’s
the pace that I work. If I do,
it’s like the freestyle. Have
you ever seen any of my free-
styles?
Eminem.Pro: Yeah, I have. I
understand what you’re talk-
ing about.
Yelawolf: Those freestyles
were recorded in one day,
shot one day, released the
next day. So yeah, it can hap-
pen as quickly as you want
it to. Um, and I think that
that kind of strategy was not
unique to being independent.
You know, you see major art-
ists these days dropping shit
out of nowhere.
Eminem.Pro: Yeah.
Yelawolf: Because that’s the
flow of the listener. And to-
day, the fans really determine
the flow of music, the turn
of music. I just happened to
make music. When I make it,
I usually do it pretty quickly
and I know roundabout what
I want out of the project be-
fore I step into the studio. So
in the past where you haven’t
heard a record, you know,
“Love Story”, you waited for
years for it, and then you
waited for the next project.
It wasn’t because the project
wasn’t done, the project had
already been done and the
project was sitting there like
a car waiting for someone to
get in it and drive it. So it’s
just when you’re a part of
a system, sometimes, espe-
cially a major label system,
they’re old school and they
don’t understand or they
hadn’t quite yet grasped the
concept of the new way to re-
lease music. So now they are,
now they’re, you know, fully
paying attention. So I think
the line between indepen-
dent majors great right now,
because I think majors are
more, more and more acting
like independent…
Eminem.Pro: It’s true.
Yelawolf: …The way they
release music, the way they
shoot videos, the way that
they surprise releases. And
then also the pace of releas-
es. It’s all changing. They’re
just following what fans tell
them to do. Y’all fans are all
really in control.
Eminem.Pro: Yeah. It’s so
symbiotic. Very symbiotic
connection between fans
and artists. Um, can we talk
a little bit about your living
Shady Records, because it’s
been a huge part of your life
you’ve been signed for al-
most nine years, right? And
you’ve become…
Yelawolf: I heard six, I heard
seven, I heard eight. I heard
nine. When did we find the
Shady Records? I mean, when
officially.
Eminem.Pro: ‘11. I have the
information, but I’m not sure
it’s correct. If you’re doubt-
ing, you make me doubt.
Yelawolf: Uh, let it be, no, I
don’t. What are you looking
up on … anyway, what was
the question about it?
Eminem.Pro: I mean it’s a
great amount of time and
you’ve become a part of
Shady family. And you’ve
shared the fan base with
… many fans of Shady fam-
ily became your fans and
otherwise, and how do you
feel leaving the label? And
how did the conversation
between you, Paul Rosenberg
and Eminem went when
you told them that you’re
living the label, how did
they react? Did you expect
them to react in the way
that they reacted, or did
they surprise you by their
reaction? Was it peace-
ful?…

Yelawolf: Wow, you made up a

whole movie in your head.

Eminem.Pro: No, I’m just curious

how did you go!

Yelawolf: Well, you’re assuming

that I sat down with Paul and Emi-
nem and had a conversation.

Eminem.Pro: Yeah. It’s St. Valen-

tine’s day and I’m here with you
in Skype. I had to make a movie in
my head. I’m sorry.

Yelawolf: Yeah. Uh, well there was

no formal conversation. We
didn’t go to a dinner and say,
hey, it’s going to be a rap, you
know? Uh, and I haven’t spoken
to Marshall since, I think, well, the
last conversation I had with him
was right after the MGK diss. And
then, you know, we’re homies and
it was cordial, but I didn’t believe
Shady and Shady didn’t drop
me, the contract is up, you
know. It was time for me to
do my own thing, you know,
something that I earned and
it’s something I wanted to do.
And it’s a natural progression
for any artists, you know. Um, I
mean, look at Marshall himself
going off to do Shady Records.
I think it’s a natural progres-
sion for artists to do that. And,
yeah, it was this time, it’s time,
but at the end of the day, after I
filled my agreement with Shady,
which is a major accomplish-
ment, you know, so, um, yeah, it
was amazing time. Superb time
of my life, but you know, today
is today.

Eminem.Pro: Yeah, and

that brings us to your label,
SLUMERICAN Records. So, you
focus on it right now. Is there
anybody who’s helping you
with the label and what are
your plans? Do you plan to sign
anyone, any new exciting names
that you can mention? Maybe.

Yelawolf: Hey, man. Will you

look up SLUMERICAN Records
or SLUMERICAN label? I’m like,
where are y’all getting this?
Look up, look up, SLUMERICAN
Records right now and see if it
exists. Record, record label.

Eminem.Pro: These are the

questions that fans are sending
us. So I don’t know.

Yelawolf: Hang on. Nothing on

Google. I’m looking it up.

Eminem.Pro: It’s like a second,

a third party.

Yelawolf: Like, okay. All right.

We will just make this offi-
cial. SLUMERICAN, it’s like the
fourth or fifth time I’ve heard
that today. So when I started
SLUMERICAN as a culture
brand, I brought in artists that
were friends of mine. Struggle
Jennings. I got Bubba Sparxxx
upon me and Cook Up Boss and
a few other friends of mine who
I came up with, who I would
bring on tour and help out un-
der the SLUMERICAN umbrella.
We do not have the infrastruc-
ture of a record label, you know,
nor do we want to be a record
label. If I end up signing some-
one to SLUMERICAN, you know,
and want to operate as a label,
I think that that would be more
than clear. But, you know, we’re
production company. We pro-
duce music, you know, we make
clothes, we sell vintage apparel
and we have a barbershop, you
know, we’ve got a number of
artists that roll in our team,
photographers, builders, and
our SLUMERICAN Instagram
page shows the inspiration
and the birth of our brand. And
SLUMERICAN has an LLC of
which I put my music out of,
because I have no LLC for my
brand. My distribution com-
pany is 1RPM. They distribute
my music as far as the team that
runs my music, it’s myself, my
manager and my distribution
team. I have a radio rep, you
know, I’ve got a publicist and
it’s a very small team of people
that work my music. Any artists
with SLUMERICAN, Struggle
Jennings, they have their man-
agers and their crew also. So,
SLUMERICAN is a culture brand
that provides an umbrella for
artists, you know, but artists
just like I did, they’ll go on to
do their own thing. You know,
when we first started there was
Ric and Big Crit. That was the
first small crew. Rittz when to
do his own thing, Big Crit went
to do his own thing. And you
know, moving on to recent, it
was Bubba and Struggle, then
Cook Up, Big Henri, you know,
Big has to do his own big things.
… But a label – I’m just not
interested. That’s a nightmare.
I don’t want to be a label. Not at
this point. Maybe in years…
Eminem.Pro: Well, the way you
describe it sounds even better
like lifestyle, community.
Yelawolf: It’s definitely a life-
style brand. I mean, we’re defi-
nitely slaying more shirts than
we do CDs.
Eminem.Pro: Well, it’s not that
either. Many of your friends
think and they discuss it, that
“Love Story” is one of your
brightest best works. Do you
agree with that and do you
think that there can be a “Love
Story 2”, maybe some kind of a
sequel?
Yelawolf: Mmm, I definitely
think “Love Story” was the best
record release on Shady, 100%.
I think as of now I definitely set
a bar, but you know, there’s a
lot of things that come into play
when you’re making a record
and, you know, you can’t re-
peat certain processes. I mean,
“Trunk Muzik” in the back of
my house, you know, with no
heat with a fucking pregnant
dog and, you know, like no
power. Like I spray painted
shit all over my walls. I was
obsessed and you know, this
album will be the greatest of all
time, you know, in the middle
of the fucking hood in Alabama
and out of that environment
came out the “Trunk” and out
of that environment came some
music title song and the Box
Chevy and it created a vibe and
energy and that can never be
recreated ever. With the “Love
Story”, it’s the same thing and
never ever be recreated. Will I
bring another album as impact-
ful? That’s what we have to
see. You know, I think “Ghetto
Cowboy” is definitely taking
steps toward that, but the envi-
ronment for a hugely impacted
record, it’s very unique and it’s
like, that magic doesn’t come
around every once in a while.
You have to grab it while it’s
floating around. And a lot of
that is just timing. I don’t think
that without the introduction or
“Till It’s Gone” and the success
of that record, people may not
have never known about “Love
Story”. Um, and then came
along “Best Friend” and “Johnny
Cash”. So sometimes it takes an
awakening, so to speak, to get
people to even notice the re-
cord. And, you know, it’s taken
a long time for that record to
grow, to be honest. I mean, how
many years ago was it when the
“Love Story” drops, right? Six
years ago, seven, something like
that, 13? Five years ago “Love
Story” came out and it just
went gold this last year. And so,
I mean, that’s a fucking huge
accomplishment, you know?
Uh, and I’m very proud of that,
but at the same time, you know,
that’s the slow crawl for such a
big record.
Eminem.Pro: But I think that
fans are going to be equally
happy if you create something
completely different, but equal-
ly talented. Thank you for this
conversation, we are looking
forward to your shows in Mos-
cow and Saint-Petersburg.
YELAWOLF
RUSSIAN
SHOWS:
SYMBIOSIS
BETWEEN
THE ARTIST
AND HIS
FANS
 EMINEM.PRO
REPORT FROM
MOSCOW &
PETERSBURG
EXCLUSIVE ARTICLE
FROM IGOR BASENKO
February 29. A train first row, no fuss, no job, speaks to all his fans
Saint Petersburg – Mos- just to enjoy the show. I — those who have been
cow. Our small “Emi- could not do it properly with him from the very
nem.Pro” delegation for years, something start, those who found
going back from the always got in the way: him when he became
shows that kicked off I was either busy with part of the Shady fam-
Yelawolf’s European ePro/MHQ business, or ily, those who follow his
tour in support of his focused on an interview, life-style brand Slumeri-
album “Ghetto Cowboy”. or late… It was my sixth can, speaks to his biker
Two incredible shows in attempt not to just be community and many
Moscow and Saint Pe- there and watch what I more. Yelawolf’s fanbase
tersburg, both remark- can from the back row. is a layered cake, and so
able in their own ways. I told myself, that’s is his music. Some songs
Here is Eminem.Pro enough, I should make it might not resonate with
review of two unforget- happen! And I did. you immediately, but a
table Yelawolf’s Russian live performance can
shows, the review that If you want to feel emo- bring something new
was written on the go tions, to feel high of a out of them.
when still on high from live performance, then
the shows. you should get to a As per usual, Yelawolf
fan-zone, as close to the started his show with
Yelawolf show in Mos- stage as possible. The a significant delay. Oh
cow was excellent, there first-row centre would well, he is a star, we can-
were no other options. be ideal. This is where not argue now. When
On stage he is in his the magic happens. This the stage was filled
element and he always is where you feel the with smoke to the point
commits in full. How- connection to the artist. when it was not possible
ever, his performance to see anything, people
in Saint Pete was much I will never stop saying started chanting “Yela-
more than just a show. that any song sounds wolf-Yelawolf-Yelawolf”.
It was truly special. It better from the stage. After a little while a pink
was an hour and a half The song on an album light lighted the stage
of genuine symbiosis can leave you unim- and Yelawolf entered to
between the artist and pressed until you hear it the roaring cheer of the
his fans. That Saint Pete live and it hits you right crowd, rapping his first
show was an example in the guts. It happened number: “Trunk Music
of the pure magic about to me more than once. 3” from his last Shady
which I often write in It is the magic of live records album.
my show reviews for music. I don’t know how
ePro. it works, it just happens. Damn, his live perfor-
And it happened again mance is so dope! Mi-
I’ve ticked a big box off. at this Yelawolf show. chael is a badass and a
For a while now I want- real pro on stage. He can
ed to get to Yelawolf Michael’s music is spe- do everything at once:
show in style: to the cial and versatile, it he demolishes the stage
and at the same time
notices what is go-
ing on in the crowd
and shares it with his
team. He simultane-
ously spits his bars as
fast as a machine gun,
dances all over the
stage, controls every-
thing and even shows
a photographer a good
shooting point. It was
a pleasure to see.

Having finished TM3,

Yelawolf hit the stage
with my favourite
track from that album
— “Trailer Park Hol-
lywood”. It had been
on repeat for a while
on my playlist. Its live
version did not disap-
point, and its cool in-
tro sounded live even
better.

Mind you, since his

last show in Russia in
2015 Yelawolf released
a lot of new material.
So it was nice to see a
well-balanced set-list
that included not only
his classic hits such
as “Daddy’s Lambo”,
“Growin’ Up in the
Gutter”, “Catfish Billy”
and “Pop the Trunk”,
but also new tracks
from his three recent
albums that were not
performed live before
in front of Russian or
European audience.
Yelawolf also performed “Till It’s Gone” — you wolf backstage: “You
several hit songs from surely know it or at should have told me that
“Love Story”, the album least heard it at least you would come with no
that is adored by fans once. guitarist this time — I
and has become his could have learn the
most successful al- Yelawolf Russian shows riffs!”, and Michael re-
bum so far. There were were full of special mo- sponded with “Let’s play
his signature “Outer ments. “Opie Tailor” together
Space”, especially good tonight!”. So Noize MC
in live version, “Empty Take, for instance, the learned the riff just
Bottles”, where Yelawolf last part of his Moscow hours before the gig —
switched flow several show, where Yelawolf to the utter joy of both
times showcasing his invited Russian artists artists and the public.
skills, referring to his Noize MC to join him
idol “Johnny Cash”, his for “Opie Taylor” and There was a memorable
classic mix of hip-hop they just vaporised the moment when Yela-
and country “American club. Noize MC later wolf decided to record
You” and, of course, the explained on his Insta- a birthday message to
main Yealowolf’s single gram that he told Yela- his wife Fefe Dobson,
singing Happy Birth- with him. It was an ly and with 101% com-
day together with two incredible experience, mitment. Yelawolf gave
thousands of his fans. not just a show but a his best and performed
This song transitioned symbiotic connection so many live tracks from
into “Tennessee Love”, between the artist and his recent albums, giv-
the song dedicated to the audience, fans and ing his audience emo-
his wife, and it was very guests, the connection tions and memories that
symbolic and moving. that fed both ways. I was will stay with us for a
reminded once again long time.
Another special moment that Saint Pete has the
of the Saint Pete show best music crowd. We recorded for you
happened when Michael some special moments
performed “Best Friend” All in all, applause, from this show, you can
and became so emo- cheers and chanting watch them on our Ins-
tional that he even shed carried on through the tagram page.
a tear. This performance entire show, and Yela-
was so powerful that the wolf could not stop Respect to everyone
crowd started chanting smiling. That night was who was involved in
“Yelawolf - Yelawolf - filled with an atmo- organising this show!
Yelawolf - Yelawolf”. sphere of unity with the ГЛАВCLUB and A2
Michael took a moment artist, filled with emo- GREEN CONCERT —
to cool down his emo- tions. Yelawolf saved excellent job, nothing
tions, said thank you the moving and melodic to fault. Thank you for
and rapped the last “You and Me” to the end bringing this incred-
verse a capella. of the show, addressing ible artist to Russia. We
his fans: would like to see him
I have always liked more often. He has lots
Yelawolf not only for his “Saint Petersburg. I was of fans here who are
ability to rap fast but here in 2015. Who was always happy to meet
also for his musicality here in 2015? My first him.
— his vocals in refrains trip to Russia. Hold up,
are great. He proved it if this is your very first About the fans, by the
again during his Russian Yelawolf concert, let me way. I don’t know about
shows. see your hands to the other countries, but
sky. This last song I play Russian Yelawolf fans
He also performed for y’alls, for the fans. I are extremely loyal. In
“Johnny Cash”, “Ameri- love you so much. Thank Moscow they presented
can You” and “Daylight” you” him with his portrait
a capella. Whether he on a big wooden panel.
did it to emphasise the A2 was shaking that He took it to the stage
meaning or to flaunt his night. Everybody, not and later it appeared in
technique, he opened only his fans or music his Instagram stories
up to his fans and they fans, would like this from the Oslo airport. It
in return supported him show. Because it is done seems like another item
and joined their voices artistically, professional- from Russia will take
place in his collec-
tion next to our
Yela-Russian doll.
They also waited for
him at the club until
midnight to
have a word,
take a photo
or ask for an
autograph. The
most patient
were rewarded.

Fans from Saint Pete

did not fail as well.
Apparently, I took the
same train to Saint
Petersburg with Mi-
chael and his crew.
Peacefully sleeping all
the way, I only realised
that when was awaken
by a knock on the win-
dow. This was when I
noticed Yelawolf, who
was quietly sitting
at the same window
behind me. Saint Pete
fans organised him a
warm welcome at the
platform, rapping one
of his tracks.

That’s all from me.

Peace.

Our photographers had

a field day, check out
their photo trophies on
Eminem.pro website
 CREDITS:
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Igor Basenko
EXECUTIVE EDITORS
Katerina Malik
NK
COVER DESIGN
Olga Olegovna
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Alexandra Popova
PHOTOS:
Danny Clinch: MTBMB Album
Shot (p.: 3-4, 6-10, 12-13, 30)
Jeremy Deputat: Eminem Abu
Dabi Live Shot (p.: 5)
Zaur Tedeev: Harper’s Bazaar
Shot (p.: 14-29)Shot (p.: 5, 58-59)

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