Anthony Mackie says that Eminem used elements of his real life in the climactic rap battle scene from 8 Mile.
Speaking on The Pivot, Mackie reflected on working with Eminem for the classic hip-hop film in which the two guys (Mackie as “Papa Doc” and Eminem as “B-Rabbit”) play rappers that have to battle it out on the microphone. According to Mackie, Eminem wanted to learn more about him in a move that would come back to haunt him.
“We’re on set one day, and he’s like, it doesn’t make sense that we’re beefing,” said Mackie. “He says, ‘I need something on you.’ So we talked for about two hours, chilling.”
Mackie then revealed how their conversation impacted the movie. “The day, we're shooting the battle scene, and that’s why I’m looking at him like that,” explained Mackie — referencing the confused and angry look on his character’s face.
“‘You’re talking about me, you’re not talking about Clarence,’” said Mackie, reminiscing on his thoughts. “I’m going to fight this motherfucker.”
So everything about Clarence going to private school and his parents having a really good marriage seemingly came from Mackie’s life. No wonder he looked so shaky on the stage as Eminem’s character cemented his victory.
Eminem may be dropping some new bars in the near future after he announced in December that he’d make a joint album with 50 Cent.
Eminem appeared on the Whoo’s House podcast where he called the idea of them making an album “great” and that they have “to stop bullshitting and just do it.”
50 Cent, seeing Eminem’s comments, hopped on social media to express his excitement. “Looks like I’ll be back in the booth,” he wrote on Instagram.