Back in the early 2000s, Eminem wanted to collaborate with Tony Iommi, the legendary guitarist and founding member of Black Sabbath. However, Iommi turned down the offer – a decision he later admitted regretting.
According to Far Out magazine, which published an overview of Iommi’s cross-genre journey, Iommi remembered that someone approached him at the time. Apparently, the proposition went like this, “This chap wants to do something. Eminem”. But unaware of who the rapper was, Iommy simply replied, “Who the bloody hell is Eminem? I didn’t know, and I went, ‘Oh, no’”.
It was a missed opportunity that could have produced something extraordinary: a rare fusion of heavy metal and hip hop between two icons of their genres.
Tony Iommi’s Rock Legacy and Missed Hip Hop Moment
Tony Iommi’s guitar riffs gave birth to heavy metal. When Black Sabbath released their self-titled debut in 1970, the sound of his dark, distorted guitar practically defined an entire genre. Even decades later, Iommi’s influence remains unique, shaping generations of rock and metal artists.
Later in his career, Iommi began experimenting with collaborations. His 2000 solo album “Iommi” featured an impressive lineup, including Henry Rollins, Dave Grohl, and Serj Tankian. However, when it came to hip hop, Iommi was less adventurous.
He admitted that he passed on both Eminem and Kid Rock, simply because he did not know who they were at the time. “Two embarrassing things that I didn’t go for”, Iommi confessed, looking back with a mix of humour and regret.
Still, it is easy to see why the idea might have seemed unusual at the time. The worlds of metal and hip hop rarely collided successfully, and even Iommi’s previous experiment, “Illusion of Power” featuring Ice-T, received a mixed response.
Eminem’s Love for Guitars and Heavy Beats
Eminem, however, has always been open to rock influences. Many of his biggest hits borrow the energy and aggression of rock and metal. “Sing for the Moment” famously samples Aerosmith’s “Dream On”, while “Till I Collapse” and “Lose Yourself” carry unmistakably rock-driven intensity.
Even songs like “Survival” and “Phenomenal” showcase heavy guitars that drive his whirlwind verses forward. Clearly, Eminem’s sound has always thrived at the intersection of hip hop and rock. At the end of the day, Marshall is inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
So, what might a collaboration between Eminem and Tony Iommi have sounded like? Probably something dark, powerful, and unforgettable – a perfect storm of lyrical fire and thundering riffs.
For now, it remains one of those fascinating “what if” stories in music history, a missed crossover that fans can only imagine.
