Kurupt Says Eminem "Got Away" With Dissing Other Rappers Because of Race

Kurupt spoke about Melle Mel's comments on Eminem, suggesting that the rapper has benefitted from white privilege.

Eminem's white privilege isn't lost on Kurupt. Tha Dogg Pound member recently appeared on The Art of Dialogue, where he spoke on Melle Mel's recent comments on Em, suggesting that the Detroit native is overrated in hip-hop.

“That’s his opinion,” Kurupt said about Mel's thoughts on Em being ranked No. 5 on Billboard's 50 Greatest Rappers of All-Time list.  “That’s not our opinion. … The way Dr. Dre took Eminem subject matter-wise is one thing; the way Eminem rocked — he’s a battle rapper, so he is hip-hop no matter what color he is. Dr. Dre took him in this way, so you know that has no bearing on his skill. His skills are renowned.”

The 50-year-old rapper went on to call Mel "an icon of hip-hop," but went on to say that the Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five member is from an earlier generation of hip-hop.

"Remember, he is the original hip-hop so Melle speaks from that standpoint,” he continued. “For my generation, hey, Eminem… he’s our monster. His color is irrelevant. And he does have a point, Eminem being white. He might have gotten away with a lot of things, like him talking about all these different artists and shit.”

Throughout his career, Eminem has dissed his rap peers including Ja Rule, Benzino, Canibus, Will Smith, Nick Cannon and more.

“White had nothing to do with his skill. He might have got away with a lot of things,”Kurupt said. “Shit, we got away with a lot of things once we became successful. Once you’re successful, you can do whatever you fucking want, and the game accepts it because they make money off of what you’re doing, so they give you that pass.”

Watch the interview below.