
Following the success of last year’s issue with Young Jeezy, Eminem graces the cover of VIBE‘s 2nd Annual Real Rap magazine. On stands May 19. The same date his album Relapse is due to drop. But even more interesting is an interesting contest revolving around the issue.
“VIBE Verses Presents No. 1 Stan” gives aspiring artists a chance to showcase their skills to the man himself, Marshall Mathers who will crown the finalists.
“Battling is the way I came up, so it’s gonna be interesting to watch a rap battle unfold online,” states Eminem. “VIBE is taking it out of the clubs and street corners and putting it on the net. MCs better bring it, because I’m watching.”
After the jump, peep the details.




Great breakdown of Statik Selektah’s *Round Trip*! Honestly, this 2023 Mass Appeal release is pure boom-bap bliss from start to finish. Statik really outdid himself with those smooth, jazzy sample flips and turntable scratches, creating the exact kind of laid-back, golden-era hip-hop vibe you want playing in the background while relaxing at Denmark holiday cottages over a quiet weekend. The guest list alone is stacked—having legends like Posdnous kicking things off on the opener "Round Trip (For Dave)" alongside heavy hitters like Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and Inspectah Deck on "Unpredictable" makes every track feel like a proper event. Even the newer-school features like Benny the Butcher, Conway the Machine, and Joey Bada$$ fit effortlessly over the dusty, soulful production without a single wasted verse. Definitely one of his most cohesive projects in years and an easy front-to-back spin for anyone who appreciates real hip-hop craftsmanship.