Riding high on the successful debut of his latest studio album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2, which moved 792,000 copies in its first week, Eminem is being forthcoming about the project and some personal issues.

Executive produced by music legend Rick Rubin, the “Berzerk” rapper was “nervous” when he first hit the studio with the fame producer and Def Jam co-founder, but he “was honored” at the same time.

“My manager Paul had been talking to him and Rick had expressed he had an interest in working with me. When Paul brought it to my attention I was super excited, just honored at the fact that he was even thinking about it,” Eminem told BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe.

He continues: “I had my reservations because I felt like – I'm a super fan of Rick – so I'd probably be a little nervous. I don't know what the vibe would be just because I would be wanting to impress him. It was kinda like the feeling I got early on with Dre.”

He adds: “I had never met him, so I was like nervous to meet him and even more nervous to work with him.'”

Eminem also touched on his drug addiction past and what it took to overcome his demons. Now sober after a four-year ordeal of painkiller and sedative abuse, which led to a near-fatal overdose in 2005, Em says “music” drove him to get clean.

He tells BBC Radio 1, "I certainly could have taken another path. I know that there are so many addicts in this world and people who have problems like that that don't make it. I think that one thing that keeps me pushing forward is the music, and the passion, so I am thankful for that.

He adds: "I think back then it was so big in my head. Let me take this and this, drink this and this and get through it, as opposed to see the people, connect with the crowd and have fun with it."