Yelawolf on How He Got Signed to Eminem & Shady Records: I Never Saw a Contract (Part 4)

Watch Full Interview: • Yelawolf Tells His Lif...
Part 5: • Yelawolf on Meeting Em...
Part 3: • Yelawolf on Getting Dr...
Part 1: • Yelawolf on Thinking H...
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Yelawolf reflected on his transition from a struggling independent artist to signing with Interscope Records and ultimately joining Eminem at Shady Records. He clarified he never saw a contract, stating the deal was agreed upon between Interscope and Shady Records, and he consented to it. After his music started gaining traction, Yelawolf was approached by A&R Todd Parker, who passionately pursued him for Interscope. The rapper appreciated the assurance from Interscope’s then-head, Jimmy Iovine that the label wouldn't interfere with his creative process but would refuel his progress. Yelawolf also spoke about his first meeting with Eminem, being utterly shocked that Eminem knew every word of one of his songs. He praised Eminem for kicking down doors for White artists in the hip-hop scene and admits he aspired to be an ally alongside the seminal rapper.

[@JohnDoe-cd6ro]

My cousin (from Brick City, ghetto, and ignorant as allhell) was the least likely person you'd ever think would like Yelawolf. He used to play "Pop The Trunk" on a loop when it came out and I became a huge Wolf fan because of him. Yela is my favorite artist and I owe it all to my cousin. He has since passed away but I owe it to him. RIP bro. Miss you.

[@unkown312]

Rip

[@17-.-]

long live ur cousin fam

[@kyrellavallee7783]

Condolences

[@keivesmcgaugh2678]

Yelawolf was always authentic to me cause he stayed true to himself as a rapper. He didn't try to fit in or be something he wasnt

[@nawfsidemoe9858]

Research y he got dropped from Shady and y Royce don’t rock with him no more and see if your opinion changes. He can rap very well but gets no respect. Not from me at least

[@montyj3342]

Royce claimed he was racist cause a friend of his said the n word. Completely blown out of proportion. Blacks are too sensitive to words

[@jettturbo1496]

Facts 💯

[@romeored901]

Yeah, especially on the "Love Story" album.

[@joojoobaw]

@@nawfsidemoe9858 I’m with you I think he’s a piece of shit 😂 but it’s still true that he stayed true to himself & didn’t try to be something he wasn’t, for better or *worse* lol

[@camthecanecorso]

One of my favorite artists, been listening since middle school. 28 now

[@michaelbrooker7043]

yellawolf looks like Adam 22 in disguise

[@camthecanecorso]

@@michaelbrooker7043 hell no that’s an insult. Adam is goofy as hell. This man is original and is in his own lane.

[@eyesluvsubeats]

Exact same apart from over in Scotland, 28 now and yelawolf still my favourite artist

[@KrownRoyal]

Damn I almost forgot this was a Vlad interview he actually shut up and let his guest talk. Jesus

[@UnderwaterShadow]

😆

[@kaleanaking5292]

He tends to do that if they’re not POC lol

[@billycarter1798]

How often do you return to complain about Vlad interviews per week if you had to guess?

[@UnderwaterShadow]

@@billycarter1798 stupid ass comment

[@Fearismanmade2]

Y’all say this but keep coming back yall are the weirdos

[@vladtv]

Watch the full interview now as a VladTV KZbin Member - kzbin.infojoin

[@Hisdudeness101]

Pshycho White was the epitome of that high energy, stage dive, skater/rock influence

[@Unic-gu5jf]

Been jamming yela over 10years now

[@JohnDoe-cd6ro]

Yessir

[@jenghiskhan69]

I remember my coworker telling me about him 10 years ago. He hasn’t elevated since 😂

[@JohnDoe-cd6ro]

@@jenghiskhan69 If you mean by mainstream, then no. But I doubt he'd want that anyway. He probably just wants the recognition for his talent he deserves. Wolf is so underrated.

[@jenghiskhan69]

@@JohnDoe-cd6ro I agree and a lot are overrated

[@Anninukichild]

Same! Since arena rap and stereo album...even Ricky Bobby stuff!

[@ShinobiDrip999]

He truly is underrated af man. That new track "New Me" is dope bro. Ppl think he's corny for dumbass reasons. The culture just doesn't like white rappers not named Eminem or Mac Miller(after he died) thts a fact. Yelawolf sounds like Yelawolf and no one else, he always been original af.

[@Anninukichild]

That video is dope! And ghetto cowboy, American you videos!

[@shotsfired2188]

I see what your saying but disagree about Malcolm. Still doesn't get respected as an artist/lyricist.

[@jessicaarenella7157]

I love New Me.... it's so different but so...him. And that wheelchair with the gold rims ...that video is the TRUTH.

[@JS-ip7mh]

Yall are just racist

[@Mr45chicken]

@shotsfired2188 ehhh yall both right he doesn't get respected but his name didn't blow up till he died and shit was fucked but shit is what it is

[@adamruff6709]

Wish people knew how dope yelawolf is. Dude can hang with Kendrick and Cole easily. Not to mention is extremely versatile. He doesn’t make hits but makes music that doesn’t expire

[@WallaceScores]

Pop the Trunk is still fire to this day

[@NJASZN]

Yelawolf is up there with Kendrick and Tech N9ne skill wise…just saying

[@MeghanMercier-kk5lr]

Yelawolf I love ur music my favorite song is hard up white in the club and pop the trunk still listen to those songs to this day

[@renzoconti182]

Yela pen game is crazy, props to him

[@Devondavis-fm2dz]

W vid yellowolf was my favorite rapper back in the day

[@Bengal_Razor]

Love you Yella..!!! 👑🐺👑 Saw u Live at ASB Sowgrounds in Auckland N.Z a few years back.. Awesome show and energy.. I really respect your style and approach.. I love how you believed in your own path and trusted your vision.. So inspiring..!!! Mad Respect..!!! N.Z 🐑.. 🕊🕊🕊

[@DaughterOfTheKing_]

No Eminem slander, he has contributed so much to hip hop and will go down as one of the greatest lyricist in the game. Nobody can take that from Eminem ! 💯

[@brandonleblanc1287]

Facts 🎯

[@Leslee2012]

Perfectly said ❤

[@middlfingazup2446]

He’s contributed to pop rap. People praising this dude while he’s insulted black girls, use the n word but he’s a sponsor’s dream cause they stay lookin’ for the great white hope in everything. The suburbs mess with that dude.

[@powerteknologitv3422]

Eminem corny

[@Leslee2012]

@@powerteknologitv3422 There’s always one 🙄

[@thelastdon6562]

My homeboy put me on yelawolf back in the day.

[@iwhan2bcumamucholuchowr4st56]

My step-dad put me on to him when I was like 14 and a huge eminem stan and trunk muzik 1 dropped. I never heard of him and I was so high on eminem amd actually couldn't stand yela at first. Now, at 26, he's my favorite artist. I rarely listen to eminem now and listen yela almost every day

[@thelastdon6562]

@@iwhan2bcumamucholuchowr4st56 💪🏾💯

[@joshuacollings5464]

Yelawolf came to Spokane and put on the best show I’ve ever seen in my life. This dudes different from any artist I’ve ever listened to, or even any man I’ve ever fukd with. He let a fan onstage perform one of the yelawolf most known songs and even performed it with him…. Short story long, I love this man

[@justingallant9948]

best friend song all time classic it aged really well ur a legend Yelawolf 🤟😃

[@danielbihari8341]

Definitely a good interview

[@CapricornGilbert]

Yelawolf was dope when he came out with Trunk Muzik as I was listening to it in my senior year back in high school.

[@biggnicdogg]

Same bro 💯

[@Greg-pz9nt]

He is so underrated I can't wait till warstory comes out! Make you love me in the top 40 about time for yela! Saw him in reno nv April 6th 3rd time I have seen him. He's like the white well and native American 2pac cause he releases songs all the time

[@brissunbias5812]

He was kinda fire back n da day....

[@hermang60123]

Still is fire

[@wavy6332]

Still is fire fuck you mean

[@terence3769]

back in the day? just revisit any one of his tracks, you obviously have not been following his music for the last 6-9 years

[@virgilpitts1756]

Truly an amazing artist. So slept on

[@northwestkidmarc]

I honestly wanna say yela been killing it since day 1 all his music is beyond awesome and Eminem definitely did right by him with his talent tbh he's the greatest artist out of Alabama imo keep going yela 😊🙏👏👏👏👏💯

[@kaveysowavy]

Damn I used to blast his music heavy back then 🔥🔥

[@dav1ll3]

DJ Burn One and that Trunk Muzik is a classic

[@cjc2611]

DJ Burn One on Rittz' white Jesus is my favorite of all time. I haven't seen him do anything in a long time.

[@dav1ll3]

@@cjc2611 I used to keep that track “Pie” ft 8ball on repeat 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Rittz hella dope too

[@andrewptraining]

Fan since 2011 shoutout YW

[@cadencarlisle3772]

Pop The Trunk was a slept on BANGER.

[@SHUT-UP_MEG]

Listen to OUTER SPACE That one

[@Anninukichild]

Epic

[@Anninukichild]

​@@SHUT-UP_MEGone of my favorite tracks ever...gone and beer buzz too....but he opened up with outta space in OKC, I met his mom that night I was STOKED!

[@twitchoff1114]

So 90M views is called slept on now

[@cadencarlisle3772]

@@twitchoff1114 , learn how to READ, idiot. The key word in the sentence is "WAS", dummy. It wasn't getting heavy interest when it originally dropped. Learn how to comprehend, goofball.

[@GHOST-im3xh]

I love Yelawolf he's just so real so authentic

[@user-hg8ul8ym7j]

Respect to this man, authentic!

[@gkieninger6567]

This shit is motivating!!!

[@Dyl-fc3wk]

“Innerbutton” may be the coolest word combo ever

[@gavinjcooke]

I think he said Enter Button

[@darraghmcconn]

Never was a Yelawolf fan but will check him out after this interview

[@cjc2611]

Blessed to say I've been able to watch him grow as an artist over the last 13 years. Everytime he's changed as an artist he's just made more fire shit. Definitely start with his early stuff and go chronologically. His story is great.

[@joshk8599]

Talented artist

[@Respect_The_Hustle226]

I miss ur freestyles with Marshall in garages 🔥👊

[@alexwerner548]

Cool to see wolf on vlad

[@MattyRox]

Thank you VLAD for shutting Tf up.

[@LazyTelevison]

I went to a BOB concert like 15 years ago at the house of Blues in Boston. Yelawolf opened for him and I remember never being more blown away by an artist live in my life. He’s masssive but I truly am shocked he never get to like a Kendrick level.

[@BenjaminBenson25]

Yelawolf is good but Kendrick is way better

[@LazyTelevison]

Kendrick is wild but I don’t think a lot of people know the extent of yelawolfs skill level.

[@BenjaminBenson25]

@@LazyTelevison i used to he the biggest yelawolf stan, i think freddie gibbs is on par with skill level and i mean that as a compliment to both

[@LazyTelevison]

Artists will do what they like/want to. I think He looks at that type of rap as boring.

[@BenjaminBenson25]

@@LazyTelevison i dont even know what you're trying to say is that supposed to be a diss at Freddie Gibbs

[@LeaWilson-zc2zm]

Yelawolf looks like a happy ☹️Guy 🥺🥺🥺

[@TEZZODAONE]

Yelawolf is a goat of Alabama he’s literally mentioned with the rappers from Alabama we proud of anybody that gets a buzz out of this state bc these people are all we have to brag about it’s nothing here but land and prison

[@Anninukichild]

I wanna hear yela and clever do a track...from same area

[@cleen1986]

True Story. He still got murals up down here.

[@chris-cy5ed]

College sports

[@TEZZODAONE]

@@Anninukichild true

[@CDRAS]

nigga he from berkeley california! and was skateboarding

[@NathanCline12-21]

Pop the trunk is still on my Playlist

[@j-dooly]

I ain't going to lie after Eminem Then Yelawolf, He Dope 💯

[@JS-ip7mh]

NF

[@ashleyrobinette2160]

Vlad done got the boy on the show

[@Extra0711]

YELAAAAAAAAAAA THATS MY GUY THAT ALBUM WITH THE ROSE 🌹 IS HIS BEST AN ABSOLUTE CLASSIC I SKIP NOOOOO SONGS

[@Anninukichild]

Love story album is timeless...me and my children know every word

[@Dynasty19]

I didn’t give him a fair listen initially just ignorantly stereotyped him as “just another…”, but when I heard his highly acclaimed BET cypher with Slaughter and his verse on A$ap’s 1Train I was convinced he was the real deal 😏

[@shannonjakepowell305]

Wheres the full video???

[@shannonjakepowell305]

Gotta go to his stupid fuckin page and pay $5..stupid

[@cleen1986]

I really wish we would’ve done more work with Eminem

[@Trash2000s]

Drop the clip when he acknowledges the Royce situation… we know you asked him about it.

[@everettthomas2759]

The shady 2.0 freestyle he murdered that beat

[@yellaboi6257]

Yelawolf is describing Kid Rock at the 3:00 mark

[@Hellbilly_74]

UPCHURCH !!!

[@BobSmith-kk7lx]

Vlad you should interview Clever, from the same town yekawolf was born

[@RxKIM777]

One thing that yela disappointed me was that Royce beef incident but regardless. Been and am a yelawolf fan since trunk muzik. I just wished somebody reacted to his Sunday freestyle back then

[@DH-cj7nm]

I'm a fan of Royce but he gossips like a high school girl who cares about some bullshit Royce whined about

[@scottsnawdee4766]

Yellow wolfs a 🐐 to music machine

[@varsitygraphix2407]

U gotta watch this on speed x1.25

[@JayPack401]

Shout out AI 🤖 for that paragraph 😂😂😂

[@DaRealSlzyFrsh]

How would one get in contact with shady/interscope?

[@natethompson8740]

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking? People have deals with more than one record label all the time.

[@arcangelmaaze7804]

We die-hard Yelawolf fans listening to this piece by piece because we aint paying for a membership.

[@DH-cj7nm]

Honestly Vlad you dont deserve to get a Yela interview you are a goofy dude straight up

[@Anninukichild]

Vlad is a legend for this..Yelawolf is a real one..I've met him and his mom...beautiful people man...footage on my channel

[@TheSnej3089]

Don’t make me go pop the boot !

[@wrongwaysecurity]

Damn, they got to yelawolf too

[@retroesso]

Trunk music was different you had to be there!!!

[@justzach832]

I was I was I came on the scene on radioactive

[@timothycarpenter7418]

Yelawolf!

[@bigbearproductions4959]

Interview way better when clad not talking

[@shawnwillis767]

The real KING 👑

[@WafaringJay]

David Koresh bout that life 👀

[@stayreal120]

Have so much going for you be proud of yourself you're a miracle to the world 🌎 God Bless you 🙏🏻 🎵👌👋🤴🏻🤗😘😇👍😀 ✨️🙌💚💙💜🧡💛💯 your very strong person l believe in you every pod cast you do blows me away just talented in skateboarding etc 🛹 and Golf ⛳️ lol l watched everything about you study you hard lol 🤣😂🤣 love all your music 🎶 🎵 💙 got me threw lots of dark days and always will relates to me your music is powerful 💙 ❤️

[@autismmatters6193]

Vladtv just stop playing with us…. We need a “ EMINEM “ interview.. I just got my Eminem plush !!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@kriskalbfleisch5020]

Eminem will never be on here.

[@josepha9061]

To him it was free will. But for the industry it made sense to put him and mathers together.

[@mcchoirboy]

Vlad's this close to an em.interview

[@failure2494]

I learned about yellowlf walking into a room where young jizzy was playing a beat that he stole from me. The people who had it on don't listen to rap. last names of those people are name Nelson they are from the South. Then my letter v line was stolen

[@hiimbrysinsmith2610]

We’re all waiting for that one question lol

[@KuruptdMuzik]

👀

[@robinpallets]

What question homie?!!

[@still730bf]

WHAT QUESTION??? 🤨🤨

[@cshryn91]

Which diss was better ?

[@HipHopfan_]

No we'te not. Get fucking over it

[@KrownRoyal]

He had some slaps when he was on his come up. As usual, when he hit the mainstream, his music got a lil watered down. He never even needed to sign. Should’ve stayed independent.

[@hermang60123]

Still dropping bangers to this day

[@Anninukichild]

I dunno the love story and ghetto cowboy album is fire...black fall with DJ paul is a must

[@freegame8628]

Patiently waiting for vlad to turn the screws with the harder questions about calling his dj the n word😂😂😂😂

[@damonsta4life]

Damn where Vlad found him at 😳

[@MrErBodyLOOKIN]

Great artist… look into his music and look into his artist also from Tennessee named CookUpBoss…

[@hermang60123]

Still dropping bangers to this day

[@cortevisblakely2821]

Bama

[@LeaWilson-zc2zm]

Hiding in Alabama for using the N word towards one of royces da 5-9 friends at yelawolfs camp so Royce put him in his place now they have fell out and yelawolf has fallen off 🙁🙁🙁🙁

[@Mrs.TJ516]

@@LeaWilson-zc2zmPlease this man is far from racist! I used to hang out with him back in 2010-2013 era his kids are biracial he was married to two biracial black women like myself he never said anything racial 🤡

[@SifuSmoFlatEarth]

I wonder if Vlad will address the a Yelawolf and Royce da 59 beef ?didn’t Vlad accuse Yelawolf of using the n word?👀

[@DH-cj7nm]

I can't believe Yelawolf did this interview vlad was disrespectful and gossiping on info through a 3rd party .

[@SifuSmoFlatEarth]

@@DH-cj7nm 💯💯 Vlad basically slandered him

[@kgmstudio4010]

Why are they in parts vlad ?!

[@Dezzyyx]

algorhithm

[@AL365army]

Vlad is a FED

[@failure2494]

I come into money I will end Eminem legacy and I will where a mask just because I could give a fuck about fame but this will.never be over until I am righteous

[@joshuacollings5464]

Most underrated artist of all time and I’m not just saying that cuz I’m white 🍀.

[@Bigceballos]

This dude doesn’t lack confidence. This guy acts like he’s one of the greats and he created some new genre. That Gucci mane song about partying, game changer, original, creative AF. Dude is a trendsetter

[@antipaganda5635]

Is Shady Records the name or a description

[@imstz2175]

That's definitely Eminem wit a mullet lmao

[@2kextra59]

Yeah but we not letting people appropriate the confederate flag into black culture everything else we talking about is irrelevant

[@JohnSmith-pg9ns]

Bro why would you want to defend the pro-slavery flag?

[@2kextra59]

@@JohnSmith-pg9ns exactly thats why we need to get this mf tf outta here

[@HipHopfan_]

Get fucking over it

[@rustymixer2886]

I didnt see a contract

[@Ie420juggalo]

Kottonmouth Kings had the psychedelic hip-hop punk rock first

[@k.m.k-ultrafanpage4kottonm243]

Og

[@emnyce95]

Me I manifested that shit. -yellawolf

[@TamTranTriZzle]

Lol this is a classic example of someone who has no idea what they are saying as an answer to a question, but will talk and keep talking and talking. He either cannot remember, or has absolutely no idea how he got signed to Em 😂

[@kaleanaking5292]

I wonder if they’re gonna talk about his divorce from Fefe Dobson

[@TREm1990]

Yeah I'm kind of curious about what happened between them...Its none of our business but I did like them together....🤔😌😌

[@kaleanaking5292]

@@TREm1990 same

[@christinathein951]

He talks about it just a little bit on his last interview with…ummm…Jake? It’s a smaller podcast can’t remember the name but basically another white guy hip hop interviewer. But yela does open up a bit about it in that interview from a month or two ago

[@kaleanaking5292]

@@christinathein951 oh see I didn’t know that. If you can remember the name can you tell me?

[@iampolar86]

⚡️SLUMERICAN⚡️

[@user-hf4xc7cw7f]

Did you ask him

[@user-hf4xc7cw7f]

Aren't you suppose to go on tour now don't be thinking about the bullshit just hit it

[@cartersosa_24]

🐺🐺🐺🐺

[@javisoprano1010]

Artist don’t make good Record Label CEO ‘s

[@keithgeezee]

Dude's denim jacket is dingy AF. He looks upkept...

[@finnessejets4231]

Jimmy iovine invited you to his house?🤣🤣 danm

[@chanceowens11]

On some diddy shit or what

[@DuhrealWorld]

Lowkey dude scammed a friend of mine...liked him before that

[@RudeBoySka216]

For whatever reason I just don’t find Yelawolf interesting, hearing him speak in this clip just seems like another stereotypical rapper come up’ story