Chapter 39: "He's the Real Deal": Dre and Em Rave About Holmes
The success of "Heated Up" brought a wave of media attention, and Dr. Dre and Eminem were constantly bombarded with interview requests. During one particular interview with MTV, the topic inevitably shifted to their collaboration with Holmes.
"So, Dre, Em, 'Heated Up' is a monster hit," the interviewer began. "Everyone's talking about it. What was it like working with Holmes on this track?"
Dre leaned back in his chair, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Man, Holmes is the real deal," he said. "I've worked with a lot of talented artists in my career, but Holmes has something special. He's got that raw talent, that hunger, that's hard to find these days."
Eminem nodded in agreement. "Word," he said. "Holmes ain't afraid to speak his mind, to be himself. That's what I respect about him. And lyrically, he's a beast. He can spit with the best of 'em."
The interviewer pressed further, "Did he seem intimidated at all, working with two legends like yourselves?"
Dre chuckled. "Intimidated? Nah. Holmes came in there confident, ready to work. He held his own, no doubt. He wasn't trying to be Dre or Em, he was being Holmes, and that's what made the track so dope."
Eminem added, "Yeah, he's cool as hell too. No ego, no bullshit. Just a talented dude who loves making music. We clicked right away."
The interviewer was clearly impressed. "So, you'd work with Holmes again in the future?"
Dre didn't hesitate. "Absolutely. I see a lot of potential in him. He's gonna be around for a long time."
Eminem grinned. "For sure. Holmes is family now. We'll definitely be doing more tracks together in the future."
The interviewer turned to the camera. "There you have it, folks. Dr. Dre and Eminem, singing the praises of Holmes. It sounds like this is just the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between these three hip-hop titans."
The interview clip quickly went viral, further solidifying Holmes's reputation as a major player in the music industry. The endorsement from Dre and Em was invaluable, and it opened doors to even more opportunities for Holmes.
Back in Chicago, Holmes watched the interview with a sense of pride and gratitude. He was honored to have earned the respect of two of his idols, and he was excited about the possibilities that lay ahead. He knew that he had a long way to go, but with his talent, his drive, and the support of his friends and mentors, he was confident that he could achieve anything he set his mind to.