In a music world increasingly driven by technology and smartphone convenience, Eminem—the rap legend from Detroit—clings to a quirky, old-school habit: writing lyrics on anything, from toilet paper and napkins to food packaging. For him, any scrap of paper can birth immortal rap lines
In a world where artists increasingly rely on smartphones and voice notes, Eminem — the rap legend from Detroit — sticks to an old-school and peculiar habit: writing his lyrics on whatever scrap he can find, be it toilet paper, napkins, or food packaging. To him, any piece of paper could hold the next iconic verse.
“I jot down words anywhere — on napkins, the edge of a newspaper, hotel notepads, even the back of receipts,” Eminem once shared in an interview with 60 Minutes on CBS.
This quirky habit isn’t just an interesting trait — it’s a testament to his total dedication to the craft of lyricism. Eminem calls it “stacking ammo” — his way of saying he’s stockpiling lyrical firepower for his next verbal battle.
A Pen as His Weapon of Choice
If you ever see Eminem out in public, odds are he has a pen in his pocket. He doesn’t rely on phones or apps to jot things down. He believes writing by hand helps his mind connect more deeply with words, helping him absorb, feel, and “hear” them better.
According to Taipei Times, Eminem has a box filled with tiny scraps of paper — thoughts jotted down in the bathroom, quick punchlines during dinner, or random phrases that popped into his head while driving. He refuses to let any idea slip away.
“I never know when the next big idea will hit. So I write everything down — even if it’s on toilet paper,” he once said half-jokingly in a Rolling Stone interview.
The Bathroom: His Secret Writing Studio
Strangely enough, Eminem admits that one of his favorite places to write is… the bathroom. He claims it’s where his mind is at its most creative. And in that very space, many classic verses have come to life.
On Reddit, fans have circulated a memorable moment where Eminem referenced being asked for an autograph by a fan — while he was “on the toilet” — and ended up signing on a napkin. While humorous, it reflects a truth: Eminem treats every moment as a creative opportunity.
Scraps — But Never Meaningless
Even though he writes on what most would throw away, the content on those scraps is priceless. Eminem has said he often codes his writing or leaves out key words so no one could decipher them if they ever found his notes.
“If you leave your rhyme pad lying around, make sure nobody can make sense of it but you,” he once explained.
This “stacking ammo” method is part of what makes Eminem one of the most technically gifted lyricists of all time. It also shows his unrelenting discipline and razor-sharp linguistic instincts. Behind his seemingly effortless flows lies a trove of scribbled phrases — sometimes born on the corner of a greasy napkin in a random diner.
Conclusion
Eminem may be a global icon, but what truly sets him apart isn’t just his lyrical mastery or commercial success — it’s his strange, obsessive, and deeply committed work ethic. With just a pen and any kind of paper, he has built verses that shook the music world.
In Eminem’s universe, every scrap of paper could be a weapon.
