Eminem could be the next Nobel lyricist, says Irish laureate

After Bob Dylan, could Marshall Mathers be the next Nobel laureate in literature? If it were up to Irish poet Seamus Heaney, Eminem could qualify to join the ranks of Nobel laureates in the field of literature.

As early as 2003, Heaney said the 44-year-old rapper is among the elite breed of lyricists like John Lennon and Bob Dylan, the American singer-songwriter who was recently awarded the Nobel prize for literature. A professor of poetry at Oxford University, Heaney is the winner of the 1995 Nobel prize for literature.

“There is this guy Eminem. He has created a sense of what is possible. He has sent a voltage around his generation,” Heaney told The Guardian.

"He has done this not just through his subversive attitude but also his verbal energy."

On the same year, Eminem’s original composition “Lose Yourself” was awarded the Oscars for Best Original Song from the 2002 film “8 Mile” during the 75th Annual Academy Awards.

Mathers, whose songwriting talent was complimented by his rapping speed, is known worldwide for his hip-hop songs’ rebellious themes and controversial lyrics. For his supersonic rap speed, Eminem previously held the world record for the most words in a hit single. (Read: Eminem loses Guinness World title to UK rapper Harry Shotta)

Having been raised in a Detroit neighborhood notorious for its drug epidemic and struggling over conflicts within his family, Eminem became an inspiration for people from all walks of life, including US President Barack Obama, US Olympian Michael Phelps and Real Madrid star player Cristiano Ronaldo. (See related stories)

Eminem net worth

Named as one of the 100 greatest artist of all time and the King of Hip Hop by the Rolling Stone, Eminem is also considered as one of the world’s best selling artists. He has released eight studio albums so far since 1996. (Read: ‘Marshall Mathers LPs’ named best-selling rap album series of all time)

Slim Shady made US$151 million (AU$197 million) since 2007, making him one of the Top 10 highest-paid hip-hop acts of the recent decade. He debuted on Forbes magazine’s Celebrity 100 list in 2011, when he ranked 71st among the world’s top-earning celebrities, but he slid to the 82nd rank in 2015 and eventually dropped out of the list this year.

There is still no confirmation about Eminem new album release date, but rumours have it that his next album will feature 12 tracks in collaboration with other rap artists like Snoop Dog, Dr Dre and Kendrick Lamar.

Mathers last released an album three years ago with “The Marshall Mathers LP 2,” which sold 2.4 million copies since its release in Nov. 5, 2013. Eminem recently collaborated with Skylar Grey to produce “Kill for You” and he was also reportedly collaborating with KXNG Crookeds for his upcoming “Good vs. Evil” album. (Click links for related stories)

WATCH: Eminen's "Lose Yourself" winning Best Original Song Oscar