Howlin' Wolf

'My music gives people a real reason to love me or to hate me," says hardcore rap sensation Yelawolf, whom Eminem calls "a true original" and Outkast's Big Boi likens to a "ninja assassin."

The antidote to the tame, the gimmicky, and the pop in so much of today's rap music is Yelawolf—a rebellious storyteller with double-speed rhyming skills and the attitude and image of the outcast. Born Michael Wayne Atha in Alabama to a 15-year-old single mother, Yelawolf (he picked his stage name with a Ouija board) grew up in more than 10 cities, attended 15 schools, and, he says, "Not all of my childhood was a struggle; just most of it. I knew where I stood financially since I was seven. But by seventh grade I'd drop $20 in a thrift shop and rock that shit like it was Ralph Lauren." Proud of his redneck, trailer-trash background (with stories about crystal meth and hunting rifles), he says, "I'm blunt about who I am and my honesty in songs gives the words more impact. The roots of my culture define who lam... who we all are. Make the best of it." Yelawolf grew up listening to Led Zeppelin and Pink Lloyd, but after hearing Run DMC and the Beastie Boys, the obsessed skateboard kid turned to rap, and never stopped. Over the past few years, the multitattooed rapper with the ever present cigarette became an underground hit with a series of mix tapes—bringing him to the attention of Eminem and his manager, Shady Records chief Paul Rosenberg, who signed Yelawolf to their label. "We're attracted to the raw talent to rap extremely well and a unique voice," says Rosenberg. "Yelawolf has both." Eminem says Yelawolf's debut, full-length album, Radioactive, is "incredible." While comparisons to Eminem are obvious, Yelawolf demurs: "Culturally we are similar," he says, "and I do take pride in my own ability to put shit together. But [Eminem's] untouchable when it comes to sheer wordplay and lyricism."

In addition to the X-rated lyrics and extraordinary stories on Radioactive, Yelawolf displays a real talent for melody. His tastes are eclectic: he says one of his dreams is to collaborate with Willie Nelson. Guests on Radioactive include Kid Rock, who says, ' Rap music has turned into garbage pop recently; it's refreshing to hear someone like Yela making cool rap music." Yelawolf says, "I used to pace my house, broke, wondering what am I going to do. Now I pace the studio in Detroit, wondering what I'm going to do next."

LISA ROBINSON