Steve Miller praised Eminem in a statement Friday after his band’s “Abracadabra” was interpolated in the rapper’s latest single “Houdini.”
Taking to social media after The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace) single was released, the Rock Hall-inducted artist said he was “honored” that Eminem chose his 1982 hit for the similarly magic-themed single.
“There is a long chain of stories, poetry, lyrics, and musical roots that have crossed cultures and generations inspiring the whole world for hundreds of years and in all those lines of thought, music, and rhythm there are special artists who take it all in and create new original ideas from their own feelings and experiences,” Miller wrote in his message to Eminem. “You are one of those timeless originators building something new on a long musical legacy of original artists.”
Miller continued, “I have always tried to credit, honor, and respect the major influencers in my life and to always credit, honor royalties and share knowledge of their work through my own work. I didn’t know it would be this way when I was a kid trying to make a living playing music and making records, I only knew I had to respect the art that came before me and fight for it too among all the crooks, thieves, and imposters.”
Steve Miller Band’s music has frequently been sampled or interpolated by dozens of hip-hop artists, most notably their “Fly Like an Angel” (sampled by the likes of Nas, Jungle Brothers, EPMD, Lil Wayne, Ice Cube, and Biz Markie, to name just a few) as well as “Take the Money and Run,” which has been employed by Beastie Boys, N.W.A, De La Soul, Salt-N-Pepa and others.
The singer also credited Eminem as one of the artists “who take the time or make the effort to stand up for themselves and credit and respect their influencers at the same time,” he wrote.
“Marshall Mathers you are an exception and on my short list of people who respect the art. To be included in your process feels good while I’m still singing and playing the music I love.”