Tim Westwood: Early Eminem Was the Best Because He Was at His Craziest

In VladTV's interview with UK radio legend Tim Westwood, Vlad gets the story of how hip-hop took hold in the UK, starting with pirate radio and the club scene. Tim Westwood explains how he got his start on pirate radio, and worked his way to the BBC's Radio 1. Tim tells stories from the early days of hip hop, interviewing and partying with icons like Jay Z, Lil Kim, Busta Rhymes, and more.

[@tommy6533]

9:05 is when they start talking about Eminem btw

[@PelicansBlokk]

Tommy THANK YOU!!! I WAS LOOKING FOR THIS COMMENT.

[@bossof210]

Tommy Real MVP

[@KewlDude123]

san q

[@texaswinter4297]

Tommy wears a cape

[@hubhub27]

Tommy biznitch

[@TrapLoreRoss]

The fact Vlad knew who Rodney P was just blew my mind.

[@slum4510]

This is TLR, you better put some likes on this comment

[@capitalg5460]

Aren't you more surprised that Vlad knew?

[@jeremycope7459]

Ross is my favorite out of these three lol

[@EastAfricanSniper]

I think this is the first time I've heard him use his regular voice for more than a minute

[@irunthestreets]

NOTHING could stop Eminem when he was on drugs, that's where all the magic albums happened. He's burnt out now. Still happy he's clean tho.

[@jvnbbbs]

john doe Truth. Back then he was unfuckwitable

[@Jonlarm]

john doe he just grew up

[@mirshia5248]

oh yeah>? put him against anyone in a battle,i dare you , i double dare you,em would shred anybody ,anytime,anywhere,that is a fact.

[@StrictlyBusiness000]

john doe out his prime

[@Santiago-ln5pd]

john doe a burnt out em is still better then most of the rappers out now

[@AkyovNorthWest]

tim westwood is a uk legend now. had a lot of stick over the years by a lot people, but the guy is THE uk urban music pioneer. i could sit and listen to stories by him all day. remember this dude been around since the late 80's. he was there through the whole evolution of hip hop, in both the US and UK. he had both biggie and tupac on his show back in the day, and has pretty much interviewed every big UK/US hip hop star since then.

[@TwistedSoulTV]

Cocaine Rain the big dog Pitt bull

[@Wally-H]

Westwood played a very important role in the 1990's but the myth that he brought hip hop to the UK in the 80's is just that - a myth, largely built by him to enhance his own reputation. In truth, the real pioneers were a). Morgan Khan and his 'Hip Hop Electro' series of albums that started out around 1984, b). DJ Mike Allen and his hip hop radio show on Capital FM from 1984, and Dave Pearce's 'A Fresh Start to the Week' Monday night show on Radio 1, which also started in the late 80's. Westwood knows all of this but he never mentions any of those guys in interviews because he would hate to detract from the idea that he was some sort of hip hop God.

[@for111]

5 years later, he's a nonce.

[@for111]

5 years later, he's a nonce.

[@kingray7734]

He's a UK pedo. Do ya still love him?

[@SDoGx54]

Man Westwood interviewed Will Smith when he was just a fucking rapper. He been around and anyone that really fucks with hip hop knows hes a legend. Always been the same too never switched up

[@OfficialElljay]

Straight up g💯

[@LuxioV2]

Still hold high ratings for Westwood, he's done a lot obviously but the fact he got Big L to spit over Who Shot Ya is legendary to say the least, what a don

[@4th_Lensman_of_the_apocalypse]

What do you think of Timmy Savile now?

[@jamiecloughgaming25387]

@@4th_Lensman_of_the_apocalypse Timmy Savile? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@CallMeMicahT]

Officer Vlad everytime he talks about Em: "I had the Slim Shady EP before Dre signed him"

[@gunnyo50]

Westwood was very instrumental on exposing hip hop music to the uk audience which at that time was a niche genre here. If It wasn't him I wouldn't be a hip hop fan at all. His shows at the time were extremely legendary on breaking the biggest hip-hop acts we see today.

[@jaydee4988]

He done the same with grime pushing it to his audience, been to a many a westwood night with a sick grime set going down

[@Wally-H]

@@Nevinhattle Nonsense. in the 80's he played a role alongside other DJ's and record companies but this myth that he brought hip hop to the UK is just that - a load of nonsense. I was there, I know the truth.

[@CasterShellz]

People saying Em fell off He's 40 & off the drugs lol of course he's not as energetic he was in his 20s

[@chaseanderson1689]

VMelt Eminem is not 60

[@chaelmavik]

Yung Shonen everyone "falls off" eventually. no one is ever as good as when they just come out. artists are hungriest when they first come out

[@chaseanderson1689]

Michael Havas artist can definitely get better

[@octm1]

Gary Johnson exactly

[@Riggersa]

chattin shit, he was absolutely off his face for years

[@jbduke23]

Westwood said, "Em was at his best".....not "Em was the best"..... lying for views!

[@SDoGx54]

Joshua Bellamy he lowkey the best tho lol

[@smanetagen4164]

what lol, that just about makes sense lol stop being so sensitive he just talking

[@glonavytray3728]

+SDoGx54 Tupac, Biggie did exist. Eminem a dope ass white boy and killed the game but never overlook what Tupac and Biggie did for the culture

[@SDoGx54]

GloNavy Tray If anyones better then em at rapping its Big L, only other guy id put above him as far as skill, music can't really be judged in my opinion everyone has different taste

[@ccmccm6489]

Joshua Bellamy lhfh did you read what you said, did you mean *is because you just said the same thing twice

[@warrenlondon2426]

The Slim Shady LP that came out in 1999 is STILL one of the greatest albums ever made! 💯#Facts!

[@keemoify]

Facts

[@lowerthetone]

Nobody can argue with this statement!

[@jwood8769]

Not facts lol what?!?, it’s a good album and a great debut, but far from being great. His sophomore “ Marshal Mathers LP “ is a masterpiece. There’s only a few masterpieces you got 1. Illmatic 2. Doggystyle 3. Blueprint 4. Madvilliany 5. Enter the 36 Chambers 5. To Pimp A Butterfly 6. The Low End Theory 7. Marshal Mathers LP 8. Amerikkkaz Most Wanted 9. The Chronic 10. Ready to Die Don’t get me wrong I love the Slim Shady LP. It’s him at his purest. I have a lot of nostalgic love for that album. But being objective it’s far from being great. And I’m saying that as the album being one of my favorites

[@KhunShawn]

It's hard for Eminem to rap about being broke with Diamond albums.

[@CesarSanchezfool]

Can't believe he's nearly 60. Looks 40

[@rmx39]

Mr Fix he sounds like 80 though

[@AllThingsKen]

lol

[@Betoven81]

Mr Fix white don't crack

[@justdoit.86yearsago]

This guys looks 90! You should have gone to specsavers

[@Kevin-pp9br]

justme the fuck is specsavers? British lenscrafter?

[@SlapBoxCity]

westwood is a legend

[@Tylerpratt24]

Tim westwood a legend! We goin in baby!

[@bensullivan5562]

Blasting off right now!

[@keemoify]

Blasting off right now..

[@FreeAgent797]

I can't even front, when I first heard em I was mind blown by his wittiness, wordplay and ridiculous flow. He was just something so different not because he was so much more lyrical than everybody who were really lyrical at the time, but his creativity and shock value just made you instantly hooked.

[@HipHopUniverse]

You can drive-by shoot me for saying this but I would exchange a 100 new EMINEM's (After his hiatus from 2005-2009) against the old EMINEM (1996-2005). One of the greatest fall offs of all time.

[@kurtpullen7806]

Hip-Hop Universe nas? He fell off.. Jay-z?... Mase?... Man stop hating on eminem

[@y2jfan1998]

Hip-Hop Universe He's still got it lyrically. If we're talking technique he's 10 times the rapper he was in 99. But unfortunately, he did lose his edge when he got off drugs. Still really happy for him that he got off them and didn't die tho, and I still think that, till this day, he's still one of the best in the world.

[@y2jfan1998]

Kurt Pullen Nas fell off hard, but his rep as one of the greatest still stands strong. Jayz is just disappointing nowadays.

[@blogfirstlast]

Hip-Hop Universe why are you acting like Encore was any good?

[@HipHopUniverse]

Well Toy Soldiers and Mockingbird were good songs. Other than that...garbage (18 Songs). And the Greatest Hits 2005 had "When I'm Gone". But you are right ENCORE was awful.

[@JMMJ94]

this interview was very well needed because there are many people (myself included) who don't know tim's story. I never understood who he was or why every celebrity would travel to see him

[@ericfisher2819]

slipping on my swag juice my swag juice .

[@InstrumentalsBeats]

The best of Eminem was the Slim Shady LP (1999) and Marshall Mathers LP (2000)

[@goodtimestv9690]

InstrumentalsBeats facts!!!! the only ones i fucked with

[@goodtimestv9690]

InstrumentalsBeats i also liked the song toy soldiers from a diff album

[@randynguzman5251]

InstrumentalsBeats Eminem Show?

[@tonythesicilianguy7031]

InstrumentalsBeats Every album was 🔥Except Encore and maybe MMLP2 Real talk!

[@AnonomousDr1p]

why yall be sleepin on Infinite? Classic 90's LP

[@emmettlester739]

They should've kept the pirate conversation and the eminem stuff separate. Like their own videos. Pretty weird to over shadow a really good subject that contains things that's relevant to the UK. Like UK pirate radio, eminem and UK artists getting pushed. I'm not from the UK but even i know that deserves the recognition it could've gotten with it's own video.

[@DaRevoolver]

The slim shady LP, Marshall Mathers EP and Eminem show is not only Em's best albums, but some of the best albums in the Hip Hop world. Insane energy on the mic when he rhymed. Infinite is also a really good album!

[@hsk8671]

You will never heard them played in a hip hop club so no they are not the best albums

[@tyrone-dh6iy]

@@hsk8671 weak troll attempt

[@te4500]

Tim Westwood is the GOAT! And he's parties are always crazy lit🔥🔥🔥

[@cooldizzle93]

everybody is better in their prime/youth.

[@vaasmontenegro3993]

this guy gets it

[@arete7884]

pac would of been trash in couple of years if he lived noone would say legend

[@DeterminedFC]

not true there are several archetypes

[@ruthless4659]

Areté no idiot

[@ruthless4659]

Areté how'd he lose his talent?

[@100streetteam]

New em is better lyrically....old em made better music...

[@jvnbbbs]

100 TV Nah, son.. Old Em was all around better (rapper, music, whatever - just better)

[@JamalW239]

Having more complex words in your bars doesn't mean you are better lyrically. Cohesion and less ambiguity is far better to me. E.g. his verse on Renegade

[@y2jfan1998]

Jamal Williams If you think his verse on renegade wasn't complex, there's this guy that does lyrical breakdowns that has just the video for you. That verse was about as complex as they come.

[@JamalW239]

I didn't say that... but know that you say it, there are far more complex stuff out there. Listen to Chester P's Fire in the streets

[@vaasmontenegro3993]

Yup Renegade was an expection. Otherwise, his lyrics are far more complex now

[@jh1986100]

Tim has been around such a long time he should write a book you know hes got story's for days

[@DAVEBEEE]

Music keeps you looking young. Thats why ppl in their 40s who have worked in the music industry for a lot of years look so young.

[@FidoeFTW]

DAVEBEEE huh???

[@robertlund5694]

Hanging with young dudes without common interest helps you feel young .

[@tronxcat001yt9]

i can listen to the mmlp 1 all day that's how classic it is

[@liamjackal8158]

I wouldn't be surprised if Vlad asks Tim about the incident where he got shot at from a drive-by. Vlad loves his "UK gun culture"

[@liamjackal8158]

k weez you know brudda 😂😂

[@blqcreativeb9461]

Interesting that he didn't ask though. If he was interviewing a black DJ / artist that question would've been 2 minutes into the interview....uummmm

[@robertlund5694]

He does , westwoods car got shot up by 2 guys on a motorcycle. Its another section.

[@keysersoze7264]

what i hate the most is when white people (im white btw) who only listen to Eminem (White Rapper) calling him the goat...man if u dont know about HipHop just shut the fuck up. Thast so disrespecful to other great artist like: Nas,JayZ,2pac,Big,Dmx,Rakim etc... Eminem is definitly one of the best on the mic but he is not the best.

[@JamalW239]

That's what the majority of Em's fan base is. The bulk of them would of never heard of Phonte, Vinnie Paz, Black Thought etc. I think a lot of black hip-hop fans downplay Em's skill because they can't stand his fans and want to 'balance it out' so to speak

[@anon9363]

Keyser Soze Eminem ain't even the best white rapper ever, Slim Jesus shits on Eminem.. Slim Jesus = 🐐

[@jvnbbbs]

babypls You commented.. So you care 🙄.. Troll

[@TheS0VA]

Tupac, Biggie, Nas, JayZ, Rakim.

[@opticadriansantiago5384]

Keyser Soze It's ones thoughts on a raper, I don't see how it's disrespect.

[@TheMrg798]

Westwood deserves nothing but respect from the uk. his selection is on point his mixing is on point. 9 - 12 radio one Fri and sat nite... jeez... I want that shit back!

[@mikerees1982]

do mad respect for Westwood he's had a pretty sick career

[@robertlund5694]

He's earned a fortune compared to your lay man.

[@dirty3102]

Eminem could come back and make 3 songs that has more lyrical content then all these new wack ass rappers

[@JamalW239]

Em would come back, make 3 songs littered with long words which he rhymes in multis, spit faster or louder as the song went on, have a pop singer on the chorus, and it have no cohesion and make no sense what so ever. Plus it would more than likely have a shit beat. Just like Kanye, Snoop, 50 etc he needs to stop making music and maybe just do features as he is tarnishing his legacy.

[@dirty3102]

Jamal Williams he will still be better than these wack rappers

[@JamalW239]

Well yeah, that is redundant haha. But it isn't better than the best of the new school now

[@stevec5885]

You don't listain to Hip Hop very often.

[@user-xv8fk8ok8y]

you're wack tbh

[@justincarr8178]

The first Westwood show I heard was the 1st time I heard Shook 1s Part 2.

[@jvnbbbs]

Early Em WAS a better rapper AND made better music - just all around ill. Em of now is still coo. He has flashes of greatness(like Kobe did in the end of his career), just inconsistent. He's still in my top 5 g.o a.t., though. You think he raps better now, you have your ears on backwards.

[@PelicansBlokk]

Vonja Bibbs His lyrical skills are at his highest now. I see what Tim is saying tho. Eminem's music was better then but he is at his lyrical best right at this point in his career.

[@jvnbbbs]

RadicILL I can't agree with you there. To me he doesn't have wow* moments anymore, and just rambles. MMLP was a masterpiece rhyming wise and musically - MMLP2 rhyming wise was AIGH and musically was forced trash. I'm sure Em probably wasn't even satisfied with it. To me Em is Michael Jordan with the Wizards - still good, but past his prime

[@PelicansBlokk]

Vonja Bibbs I think that the MMLP2 just didn't meet the expectations of the fans, It didn't feel like the MMLP. But if he would've named it something else it would've been a great album. Don't get me wrong, The MMLP2 was still fire, even though the MMLP is better. He is most definitely the most "Lyrical" as he's ever been. He made better songs back then, but he is literally a god at lyricism right now.

[@jimmysmith8663]

Vonja Bibbs read the lyrics to Groundhog day, dont front, wicked ways, beautiful pain, asshole, survival, love game, and bad guy.. and tell me that album was "aight" i think the bonus tracks are the best ones. you must of not had them. but to me if you count the bonus tracks that album is better than mmlp1. the lyrics are mind blowing. mmlp1 is catchier tho

[@jimmysmith8663]

Vonja Bibbs also songs and verses he put out after mmlp2 i think are some of his best and to me some of the best rap music iv ever heard. did you listen to phenomenal, kings never die, all i think about, best friend, speedom, Detroit vs everybody, campain speech, the hills remix, medicine man, right for me, fine line, and Calm down... i listen to these songs way more than mmlp1 their insane. i think you and a lot of other people are sleepin on eminem right now.

[@oneil2233]

THE MOST OVERRATED RAPPER OF ALL TIME y'all just ride him cause he's white point blank

[@bossof210]

O'neil King Fuck nigga

[@rmx39]

O'neil King nah tupac and biggie are the most overated. people think they're gods when in reality they only had a few hits whey were alive. if nas/jay z died people would treat them as the best.

[@SDoGx54]

And you just dont show respect because hes white and your black point blank BITCH

[@oneil2233]

Joe rip

[@oneil2233]

SDoGx54 first of all I said he's overrated not shit nice flip tho PUSSY BOI

[@karinakay4686]

Love Westwood, love hearing about the good old days and all he did for UK hip hop and RNB

[@chukdotm]

Vlad why dont u interview everyone like this instead of asking about criminal past. Maybe if u asked these sorts of questions to giggs then he would open up abit more

[@telepathy90]

I love hearing Westwood tell stories. Definitely dropping knowledge

[@theo6298]

dj akademiks the type of..... oh shit wrong channel

[@adrianp.2978]

Eminem is still my favorite rapper, that will never change.. I fuck with his new shit heavy and I'm excited for his next solo album. Fire marshal 🔥

[@DuckAlertBeats]

Mike Allen deserved more than a quick mention tbh

[@bubz75]

Mike Allen's the originator of the UK Rap Scene, but you need to be over 40yrs to know this tbf!

[@robertlund5694]

Yep

[@robertlund5694]

@@bubz75 that was who we listened to. Im 42.

[@cdawg5104]

Respect to this man, hes been holding it down for so long. Fuck Radio 1 for dropping the legend.

[@vaasmontenegro3993]

People saying Eminem fell off, its just that he is not as good as he was in his prime. Does Ice Cube or Dre rap as good as NWA days, or even rap at all? Where is Nas now? Snoop Dog is a rapper, now he is everything but a rapper. Tupac and Biggie died at their prime, that's why they are considered the best, if they were alive, they would be making mediocre records or nothing at all. Ofcourse one can't be the best of him always. And Eminem is definitely not bad now too. His later works still win grammys' and personally better than all of the rap today, and even if i m a fanboy, there's no denying he is not in the top 5 whenever he releases anything

[@lpepa1224]

Vaas Montenegro Nas is going to drop an album and its going to be probably best of the year. Tupac sold 80 mill albums in 5 years,he is one of the best songwriter and most influential and Biggie is considered best because he had best flow a noone comes closer to this day,his all songs was freestyle,he didnt wrote tracks. and so on For Example if Big L if he would be alive now,hed be considered GOAT Eminem fell off and you cant say he didnt Listen to Eminem - Soldier. and listen to Eminem - Kings never Die youll notice he is better maybe lyrically but otherwise he isnt that good.

[@gurdipbanwait2131]

The hip hop culture is best when man are clashing, and the SSLP has so many bars from his clashes. Now no one dare send for Em, This is why grime is the music rn.

[@kyle06davies]

Westwood =legend

[@bubz75]

Grew up on this dudes music .Remember Vauxhall Arches 1991. #Legend

[@erennazir646]

Y'all act like Em is trash now smh if y'all actually listen to his lyrics and wordplay the man is still insane...

[@lebronshairline4768]

I agree, the old Em was explosive. The first album is classic fasho!

[@justinmccall95]

Westwood a Legend!

[@elyjah6380]

You can hate tim Westwood for being white and middle class and trying to talk "urban" but really no one can deny the insane amount of work he put in for hip hop in the U.K. He's been promoting and exposing hip hop in the U.K. For nearly 30 years, he's annoying but he's a legend

[@ryantheradical]

We all know the world is way too damn sensitive for the old Eminem. He could rap that style if he wants but nowadays people can't even handle the slightest of insults smh

[@JamalW239]

How so? The world now could handle Tyler, the Creator. Plus, what Troy Ave said about Capital Steeze last year is worse than anything I can think of Em saying ever

[@ryantheradical]

Jamal Williams Tyler hasn't been reported saying anything deemed offensive though

[@Scoobay]

Ryan TheRadical Tyler's banned from entering the UK for some shit he said. Idk what he did. Besides, Em stopped rapping the way he used to when Proof died. He didn't seem to have the passion and creativity anymore. I'm sure he'd still be making things like the old Em/D12 if that hadn't happened.

[@ryantheradical]

Scoobay and the drugs

[@alexb5351]

Ryan TheRadical def true

[@WoolyFridgeFish]

Westwood really got me into hip hop, it was the only way I could listen to it back in the day in London

[@thisisnotmyid_]

So, the problem with Eminem now and how people see him is 1. 'He was better on drugs' but what about the bullshit accents and dumbass subject matters 2. He ironically became what he made fun of (even though he knows it). He made fun of pop artists, and when he got off of drugs, he became a pop artist 3. After shite like not afraid, em decided to go to be a lyricist again, however he tries to drum up controversy with the shit rhymes about killing some forgotten actor that no one cares about. Not gonna lie, Eminem fans say tracks like that are heat, but put it next to something like Royce Da 5'9 (or any real lyricist) and the points of lyricism aren't really there. Em now just tries to get through with callbacks to his old shit. No doubt he's a huge influence and he was good, and at a time I was a Stan, but then I listened to hip hop deeper (as Eminem is virtually entry level) and I you realise that artists are much better than em is, not in terms of sales or any of that bullshit, but in actual skill and substance Side note: respect to Westwood

[@patrickconnors4602]

opinions.

[@Martyboy84]

His radio show back in the day was absolute fire. Partially why I love hip hop.

[@stakkalyrics9875]

most important point was the end when he admits to sleeping on a talented generation of uk rap.

[@wagooairlines]

He didn't sleep on them he shout out task force but that music doesn't tear down a club!

[@robertlund5694]

I think he's been in it so long he forgets stuff.

[@GameoverUK-YouTube]

Eminem freestyle of Cubba Cubba was one of the greatest moments on Radio. Big respect to Westwood

[@apjmeredith]

I wonder if vlad will ask Tim about how he got shot in the 90s

[@hoggybhoy1967]

Acer -A that will be in part 12

[@apjmeredith]

davidhogg1967 looool all this useless shit but he doesn't bother to ask Tim what it was like to be shot

[@liamspivey5106]

Acer -A Vlad will be like oh really , you got shot ? I got shot too.

[@apjmeredith]

Liam Spivey looool probably

[@keyyes12321]

ha he did lol

[@aldanielfrancis5190]

5:33 he ain't lyin, I use to love the capital rap show, that is where I got introduced to NWA , I had my tape on record and pause just waiting from 10pm or 11pm til like 1am. "100 miles and running" baby

[@jewzflexible3830]

Team west wood TV Vlad TV Zack TV

[@chrispruett81]

This is AWESOME!!!!!I have come to love westwood....but NEVER knew his story....now I really love AND RESPECT HIM even more!!Thx for this video!!

[@KeirBo]

Westwood did not say he was the best.

[@MyBoom88]

Keir Bo click bait 😂😂

[@supersaumon1631]

What I've been saying for a decade. Modern-day stans go amok when you confront them with the truth. The 8 Mile OST was is last great moment. Maybe a "Beautiful" here, a "You Don't Know" there. His BFF passing away, psychiatric drugs and the weight of fame fucked him up as a man. Poor artistic choices made of lackluster production + Rihanna and Pink collabs fucked him up musically. Of course he'll remain a commercial juggernaut forever.

[@justdoit.86yearsago]

He doesn't suit his voice and at 60 years old isn't it time to drop the "urban" act. His dad was the bishop of Peterborough stop the foolishness

[@Doer231]

justme get educated

[@LuxioV2]

justme you can here the 'posh' / upper middle class in his voice but his lingo is definitely urban, trying to say he is fake for that is bullshit for the work he's put in and the artists he's been around Tim is as ghetto as it comes

[@G-Man78]

i dont think ghetto is the word you are looking for....

[@LuxioV2]

FukcKKKBNP fam he's had Big L on the show rapping over Who Shot Ya, if that isn't ghetto then idk what is

[@G-Man78]

Lamont Coleman​ that isn't what _ghetto_ means tho (in any sense of the word). Love the first name. Obviously u's a big L fan

[@CaliTrapLord]

not gonna lie tim westwood deserves that respect, he been around puttin in work

[@uncensored6177]

he's right

[@leepalmer4986]

i can remember taking a super pill an screaming at westwest to play 50 cent wangster an he played it legend

[@matthewtamer2458]

now eminem just wants to rap fast and rhyme. I miss the songs

[@robertmiller5425]

Matthew Tamer eminem doesnt know what the fuck yall want anymore.

[@keemoify]

Slim shady lp Marshall mathers lp Eminem show 8 mile Re-up Curtain call Relapse Recovery Mostly all great records and songs.

[@samchop7494]

16:21 I respect what he's saying. He was showcasing US hip hop club bangers. It was a movement in its own right and a fascinating one at that. Taking nothing away from the amazing artists in the UK, it would have sunk Westwood if he'd tried to stand behind something when he was so clearly caught up in the phenomenon that was millennial hip hop.

[@aqx1545]

Urban uk music in the 90s didn’t stand a chance against us 90s hip hop

[@vangie2sing39]

What's going on with the crispy video?

[@londonmaths1557]

lool

[@vangie2sing39]

ThotKill My skin is brown not ashy. And yes, I'm in my 40s and glad to see it, you better hope you make it, you young folks are dropping like flies.

[@grafikfade923]

vangie 2sing did you really just bring up death to someone as if that was relevant to what he said about you addressing Tommy as "Crispy"? We all know it doesn't mean ashy stop it, that puppet Tariq has is dark skin nothing about it says ashy stop the madness.

[@jamescorbett5729]

Respect for mentioning Mike Allen because he was the man in the early days of UK hip hop.

[@jammadamma]

Dude's 60.

[@robthesamplist]

So glad i saw Eminem at Milton Keynes in 03, wish I could be 17 again and go back to those days the whole scene and world seemed so exciting as it does when your that age.

[@Breaksnbeats]

The Alan Partridge of hip hop.

[@mattsanders3623]

Those Electro compilation albums back in the 80s were how most of us in the UK got our rap music

[@naihoque]

get chipmunk vlad

[@Scoobay]

Shack Music lies

[@robertlund5694]

There's enough of that.

[@markbell2050]

I had a debate with a guy at work about westwood and his status, the other dude said hes corny etc etc etc but regardless how you feel about him as a personality nobody can take away from his importance of exposing a lot of hip hop to the UK and he had more or less every big star and upcoming artist imagined. If he stopped being a dj, radio guy tomorrow hes done more than enough to have his place in the history books. He's seen almost every era of hip hop and is a student of the game.

[@bubbles12356]

His KRS interview was legendary

[@FineAsDesign1]

i was at dat carnival with lil kim and busta rhymes, EPMD was there too. one of the best carnivals ever

[@sacred1827]

Too many focus on hating Westwood to remember this is a man who has DJ'd on Hip Hop across FOUR decades. Much respect

[@GeopoliticsDaily538]

5 decades now brother

[@bendervelosoc.r.f8456]

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE AN INTERVIEW WITH STRETCH AND BOBBITO, THEIR RADIO SHOW WAS THE BEST IN TERMS OF HIP HOP, AND STILL REMAINS THE BEST THAT EVER EXISTED!!

[@Rossboe1]

Slim shady Lp has always been my favourite Em album, the rhymes were like nothing anyone had done before, funny, crazy and complex. The beats on that album by the bass brothers was dope as shit.

[@loyallfc7239]

People take Westwood as a mug, but this guy is a legend who has interviewed the greats of Hip Hop, guy deserves much more respect and praise especially after that shooting in 1999 when he could've easily died.

[@kingray7734]

He shud have. He's a predator

[@chrisb6296]

Mike Allen laid the foundation for you. Show some respect.

[@TenjiBenji]

congratulations glad you actually had an interview about music e

[@SuperALBSURE]

Derek b said .. "Westwood with his ... hip hop"! That was from the 80s man.. how anyone can question the integrity of someone who has pretty much given his whole life to the culture I do not know. "It ain't where your from its where you're at" - Rakim

[@AO-LetsGo-]

I fucking loved the Westwood show, and Em and d12 visits are legendary.

[@biffmuncher2319]

Westwood is the best dj hands down no one even comes close

[@rondayvoo2537]

Really interesting interview. Westwood must be one of the most knowlagable people in the game.

[@DJAUDIO1]

Westwood in his prime was as big as Flex was at his prime. I would trade my homie Jepi in the UK Capital Rap/Westwood tapes for Wake up Show tapes. mailing packs of cassettes every month. a lot of people dismiss Westwood. He definitely made American Hip-Hop more relevant in the UK and overseas. At the time, DJs around the world were fucking with anything Flex or West were pushing. also, Early Eminem will always be the greatest of all time.

[@Scubanaut420]

Anyone noticing how much Tim blinking? I can't look away lmao

[@VAPSPRESENTS]

Scubanaut Q_Q he looks like he hardly gets sleep.

[@ringstarrproductions2084]

the stuff westwood did for the uk scene is incredible...

[@matthewmann8969]

Em was at his best On The Eminem Show

[@keemoify]

Agree man

[@mlb22460]

i been saying the same thing for years, glad to see that westwood feels the same

[@Bristolmeth]

Hope em reads this: obvs he not as crazy as he used to b he's grown up....... I'm 30 and I'm not as crazy as I used to b I can feel it, it's just what happens as we get older, I'm kinda glad he's not as crazy I feel like I've grown up with him you know, and what happened to proof, I think that shifted him completely, I'm just glad you still here and keeping it moving....love you em x

[@lungzie]

legend westwoods dun so much more than he gets credited for in the uk when it comes to hip hop u.s and u.k for real

[@calvingudgeon1322]

When I was in jail back in the late 1990s,every Friday night the whole wing would be pumping out Westwood 1 fm rap show. That intro would shake the place. I had one of them jvc boom boxes that looked like a rocket launcher. That thing was loud as fuck. Hmp Bullingdon, reading young offenders, and Hmp onley. 1 fm rap show was the high light of the week. Big up Westwood.

[@rorz999]

Got any good prison stories?

[@juanmasday2896]

I agree the slimshady,marshall mathers lp and Eminemshow was the best back then but now Eminems flows and ryhmes are good than then. Thats the differ.

[@Tenchu003]

Westwood drinking game folks, take a drink every time you hear "Popping, ripping it down, tearing it down"!!!!