Yelawolf Talks Signing To Eminem's Label, Upcoming Album

Yelawolf is just as excited about getting signed to Eminem's label as his fans are. During NBA All-Star Weekend, the latest Shady Records signee was on the set of Travis Barker's video shoot for "Can a Drummer Get Some." MTV News caught up with the Alabama rapper to talk about rolling with Team Shady.

"I'm just out here supporting the crew, the Famous Stars and Straps crew. Travis is the homey," Yelawolf told MTV News, name checking the Blink-182 drummer's clothing line. "So I came up out to Hollywood to cameo. Just out here having fun, man."

Although Yelawolf doesn't appear on "Can a Drummer Get Some," from Barker's upcoming Give the Drummer Some album, he does have a guest spot on "Let's Go," featuring Busta Rhymes and Twista. Besides dropping cameo verses — last year he appeared on Big Boi's "You Ain't No DJ" — the Southern rapper keeps a busy schedule with his own projects.

"That's my bread and butter," Yelawolf said. "That's really what I do it for. I make records and do shows. That's what I've been doing consistently. I got tour dates coming up. I'm on the Warped Tour this year. Other than that, just making records. Setting up for my release, Radioactive, this summer. My freshman release on Shady [Records]."

Yela flew in to make his cameo appearance from Las Vegas, where he is putting finishing touches on Radioactive. He also expressed enthusiasm over the privilege of working with Eminem and fellow Shady signees Slaughterhouse (Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce Da 5'9"), which he called "Shady 2.0."

"I mean, it's a huge deal being able to have a mentor in someone who's done this for so long and been through so much," Yelawolf said of Eminem. "And also artistically just pushing me to be better. Being around them dudes will make you better naturally. So we're excited, man."

Yelawolf then explained that his Shady debut — he released a retail mixtape called Trunk Muzik 0-60 last year — will be a step up from the material that made him an underground rap sensation.

"This Radioactive release this summer, [I'm] stepping it up completely, stepping out of mixtapes and making an album," Yelawolf said. "The album is done outside of features. I've locked myself in a studio for a couple of weeks in Vegas in Mally Mal's spot [with] WillPower, the Audibles, Pooh Bear, Ghet-O-Vision, Shady — we just got together and made it happen."

Are you excited to hear Yelawolf's Radioactive album? Tell us in the comments.