Jelly Roll Pens Heartfelt Tribute to “Childhood Hero” Eminem, Talks the Rapper Bringing Him to Tears

Jelly Roll had a feature on the final track of Eminem’s recent magnum opus, The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), which released on July 12. Following the album release and the internet’s response to it, Jelly Roll revealed that Eminem has always been one of his “childhood heroes.”

He took to Instagram to share a congratulatory post for Eminem, as this is his 12th studio album and his first in four years. It’s particularly significant as a concept album, as Eminem is doing away with his notorious alter ego Slim Shady.

“I always say my childhood hero’s lived somewhere between Willie Nelson and Eminem. As a teenager (and still today) I could recite every song on the ‘Slim Shady’ album, the ‘Marshall Mathers’ album and ‘The Eminem Show’,” Jelly Roll wrote in the caption of his Instagram post alongside a photo of himself with Eminem.

He continued, “So you can imagine how I felt when I got that the call that Eminem would be sampling my song ‘Save Me’ on his new album. And for him to use the song to discuss the other side of what could’ve happened if he would’ve allowed his demons to win brought me to tears. If you haven’t heard it yet, check out ‘Somebody Save Me’ on Eminem’s new album The Death Of Slim Shady.”

[RELATED: Watch Jelly Roll Pause Florida Concert to Defend “Dear Friend” Morgan Wallen from Recent Backlash]

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional While Congratulating Eminem on New Album, Shouting Out His Feature

Jelly Roll further shared his disbelief at being included on the album with a post on Twitter/X. “I can’t believe I’m on Eminem’s album,” he wrote.

The song, “Somebody Save Me,” samples Jelly Roll’s track “Save Me.” Eminem goes in a different direction with this one, exploring what would have happened if he’d actually died in 2007, when he had a near-fatal drug overdose, instead of surviving and getting sober the next year.

Fans gathered in the comments of Jelly Roll’s post to share their love for the song. “‘Somebody Save Me’ is hands down one of the best songs on the album. Chills from beginning to end and I had to fight back tears. What a piece of art,” one person wrote.

Another fan wrote, “You deserve it. Are you kidding me [Jelly Roll] do you know how many lives you have changed with your life story and songs. I wish the same for my brother who is currently struggling with addiction. Your voice literally can save a soul. Obviously [Eminem] does the same and he can see that in your soul.”

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