Elton John helped save Eminem from a near-fatal drug overdose, new biography reveals
Eminem (L) and longtime friend, Elton John. (Christopher Polk via Getty Images/Dia Dipasupil via Getty Images)
During one of the darkest moments of his life, US rapper Eminem reached out to longtime friend Elton John after he nearly died of a fatal drug overdose.
While on the road to sobriety, the musician was taking up to “30 Vicodin a day” according to a new biography, Newshub reported.
In the book, the ‘Stan’ rapper said that he was mere moments away from death after he consumed the equivalent of “four bags of heroin” in 2007.
Later rushed to hospital, the 47-year-old relapsed two more times after the incident before reaching out to the British singer for guidance.
Eminem “didn’t know” and “didn’t care” that Elton John was gay.
Biographer Anthony Bozza’s new book, Not Afraid: The Evolution of Eminem, explained how the hip hop artist contacted “fellow musical superstar with nearly 30 years of sobriety under his belt, Elton John”.
John was the “perfect mentor” to guide Eminem, known off-stage as Marshall Mathers, the biography continued, “the two started on a program of weekly check-ins and grew very close”.
Though the singer has a track record of homophobic comments, the pair formed an unlikely friendship over their shared experiences of battling addiction.
“I didn’t know [Elton] was gay,” Eminem claimed in 2004. “I really didn’t care.”
John said Eminem was “just writing about the way things are” and never viewed his pal as anti-LGBT. He said this before declaring his love for the rapper. “I love you, too,” Eminem responded.
Moreover, earlier this month, Elton John revealed that Eminem had given him and his husband David Furnish matching c**k rings as a wedding gift.
Eminem’s spotty history with the LGBT+ community
Eminem has come under fire on several occasions for his remarks about gay folk. In August, he dropped a new album which included anti-gay attacks on fellow rapper Tyler, The Creator.
Kamikaze album track ‘Fall’ features the lyrics: “Tyler create nothing, I see why you called yourself a faggot, bitch/It’s not just ’cause you like attention.
“It’s ’cause you worship D12’s balls, you’re sac-rilegious/If you’re gonna critique me, you better at least be as good or better.”
Eminem has since admitted the track crossed a line, though he did not actually apologise.
In 2015, he also attacked Caitlyn Jenner, calling her “a bitch” and “Bruce”, in a transphobic freestyle rap.
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