T.I. Calls On Eminem For Help After Pal's Death 9/8/08

T.I. turned to fellow rapper Eminem after his best friend was shot dead outside an Ohio club - because he felt the Stan hitmaker could help him overcome his grief.

T.I., real name Clifford Harris Jr., was left devastated after pal Philant Johnson was killed in 2006 - and picked up the phone to Eminem, who had gone through a similar emotional upheaval following the death of his D12 bandmate Proof in 2006.

He tells Rolling Stone magazine, "When Proof died, that was a connection: that he lost his best partner and I lost my best partner.

"He (Eminem) was calling me and keeping my spirits up and letting me know I can get through this.

"He said, 'Man, I had gotten in so much trouble, and everybody thought it was over for me too. You know, if I can get through what I went through, you can get through what you're going through.'"