[artist id="502642"]Eminem[/artist]'s a popular guy in hip-hop circles nowadays, with [article id="1609785"]Rick Ross calling on Slim Shady to collaborate[/article] -- or battle! -- with him, and there's been [artist id="510062"]Lil Wayne[/artist]'s constant request to work with the Detroit lyricist. Weezy has even said Eminem has been dodging him.

But when asked whether he'd work with Wayne by Shade 45's Angela Yee on "The Morning After" Sirius satellite radio show on Thursday, Em said, "I would. There hasn't really necessarily been a time for me to go to collaborate and sh-- lately, because I been so locked down in the studio. But I'm open for whatever. There's a lot of rappers in the game I respect, especially right now."

Em went on to again cite Lil Wayne and T.I., as he did in his [article id="1609210"]recent XXL magazine cover story,[/article] as rappers he respects. He also named Kanye West, saying he "likes [Kanye] a lot" as an artist.

Earlier this week, Rick Ross talked to MTV News about working with Em in some capacity.

"I mean, I'm a fan of Eminem," Ross said. "I'm a fan first and foremost. But after defeating [50 Cent in their recent verbal feud, which Ross claims to have won], my confidence is at an all-time high. Maybe before I wouldn't have challenged him, but I'm contemplating it now."

Ross said opposing Em in a lyrical back-and-forth would stir his adrenaline more than his beef with 50 Cent.

"I think he's a bigger and better artist than what [50] is," Ross said. "So if I was looking to fulfill that excitement or that rush, that's who I have to address."

[article id="1609675"]Eminem's next LP, Relapse,[/article] is slated for release on May 19. The album includes his recent single and video, [article id="1608698"]"We Made You."[/article]