Detroit rapper Skilla Baby just got raw and real about something many artists from the Motor City have been feeling for years — a disconnect with Eminem, despite the deep admiration they hold for him.
In a new episode of Johnny Dang’s YouTube interview series, Skilla Baby spoke candidly about his journey, growth, and his commitment to the city that raised him. But when the topic of Eminem came up, things got emotional — and revealing.
“Detroit Got the Biggest Rapper in the World — But We’ve Never Met Him”
“Detroit got the biggest rap artist in the world. Eminem. I have not met Eminem yet. I would love to.”
Skilla’s words were heartfelt and honest. He emphasized that the disconnect between Eminem and many rising Detroit artists isn’t about resentment, but rather unfulfilled admiration.
“All the artists in Detroit would love to meet Eminem. That’s why he gets a lot of push from us… A lot of people are pushing away from Eminem in Detroit because we really want to meet him so bad.”
The Weight of Absence in a City Full of Hope
Skilla explained that for younger artists who are grinding in the same neighborhoods Em once came from, not seeing or hearing from someone they idolize feels like a missing piece in their story:
“We look up to him, just off his path, off how he made it, and where he came from… He’s the biggest rapper in the world by far, and a lot of us still have not seen him. That crushes.”
The pain isn’t personal, it’s generational. Many Detroit rappers view Eminem as a symbol of what’s possible — but they also feel like they’ve been left in the shadows of his success, never getting the chance to stand beside him, share space, or even just say thank you.
A Call for Unity, Not Division
Despite the emotion, Skilla’s message wasn’t bitter — it was hopeful. It was a call for connection, for acknowledgment, for a bridge between one of hip-hop’s greatest and the new wave of Detroit talent that looks up to him not just as a rapper, but as a hometown hero.
🎥 Watch the full Skilla Baby interview here:
👉 YouTube – Johnny Dang’s Series