In a truly inspiring and full-circle moment in music history, global superstar Ed Sheeran has openly credited rapper Eminem and his seminal album, The Marshall Mathers LP (released May 23, 2000), with helping him overcome a severe childhood stutter. What began as a desperate attempt to find a rhythm became a pathway to vocal fluency, leading to a collaboration with his idol years later on one of the most celebrated stages in music.
Rapping His Way to Fluency
As a child, Ed Sheeran suffered from a pronounced stammer after a minor surgical procedure in his early years. Frustrated and often bullied, he sought comfort and a cure through music. The breakthrough came when his uncle gifted him Eminem’s controversial and lyrically dense album, The Marshall Mathers LP, when Sheeran was just nine years old. Few people knew that the prince of love songs was once a child with a severe stutter.
Sheeran recounted that his uncle suggested the rapper was “the next Bob Dylan.” Sheeran took the album to heart, memorizing every word. By focusing intently on the precise, rapid-fire rhythmic delivery of the hip-hop tracks, he found he could speak and sing without the impediment. He was essentially undergoing a form of self-directed rhythm and pacing therapy.
Sheeran explained to the media that by “learning that record—and rapping it back to back to back to back—it cured my stutter.” Trying to rap at Eminem’s speed accidentally cured his stutter. This unique therapeutic method allowed the young boy who feared he might never speak normally to harness the power of lyricism and rhythm to conquer his speech disorder.
Data Confirms the Beautiful Circle of Fate
Years after using Eminem’s music for self-cure, Ed Sheeran’s career skyrocketed. The fan became a collaborator and a peer, leading to two pivotal moments that closed the loop on this extraordinary story.
First Collaboration: Sheeran was invited to sing the chorus on the track “River,” which was featured on Eminem’s album Revival (2017). The track achieved significant commercial success, peaking at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100, proving the artistic synergy between the two artists.
The Iconic Performance: The ultimate culmination occurred at the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Los Angeles. Eminem was inducted by Dr. Dre, and during his hit-filled medley, he brought out Ed Sheeran as a surprise guest. They performed a powerful rendition of Eminem’s 2000 hit “Stan,” where Sheeran took on the vocals originally sung by Dido. Ed Sheeran stuns the music world singing “Stan” beside Eminem. This moment was deeply personal for Sheeran, representing a symbolic and public victory over his childhood affliction, performed alongside the person who unintentionally helped save his voice—a beautiful circle of fate.
A Related Notable Event: The Power of Collaboration
The professional relationship between the two stars didn’t end with “River” or “Stan.” They have since collaborated multiple times, demonstrating a deep mutual respect. Eminem appeared alongside 50 Cent on the track “Remember The Name” from Sheeran’s album, No. 6 Collaborations Project (2019). The album was a massive global hit, debuting at No. 1 in the US and the UK, further underscoring the commercial and critical weight of their combined artistry.
This remarkable chain of events—from a stutter cured by a gifted album to standing on stage with his idol—is a profound testament to the unexpected power of music to change a life and create an unbreakable bond between a fan and an artist.