Eminem has been slammed by fans for his ‘disgusting’ lyric about fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion on his new track ‘Houdini’.
The 51-year-old rapper has made quite the name for himself for name dropping various celebrities in his songs – with Christina Aguilera, Will Smith and Machine Gun Kelly amongst the many names he’s verbally tussled with over the years.
So, when he announced his latest studio album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), fans could expect to hear a new roster of celebrity names littered throughout his lyrics.
And, unsurprisingly, his first single ‘Houdini’ didn’t disappoint, with the rap icon leaning fully into his comedic hip hop style in order to deliver up some controversy.
Not even his long-term mentor Dr. Dre or his kids come out unscathed, however, its a lyric referencing Megan Thee Stallion’s traumatic shooting incident that hasn’t gone down well with fans.
Eminem is no stranger to dissing people in his tracks. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
In the track, Eminem sings: “If I was to ask for Megan Thee Stallion if she would collab with me / Would I really have a shot at a feat?”
The lyric pokes fun at the ‘Hot Girl Summer’ rapper being shot in the foot by Tory Lanez back in 2020.
Fans were quick to share their reactions on social media, with many criticising the ‘Lose Yourself’ hitmaker for his choice of words.
“So Eminem returns with SLIM SHADY & jumps right into the TORY LANEZ & MEGAN THEE STALLION drama UHN UHN EM – it’s a NO for me,” on user wrote on X.
“This worked in the 2000’s with your counterparts but a play on words with someone’s trauma & a black woman at that … I can’t support it. As old as you are – I know you know you better.”
“What exactly did this girl do to deserve this type of harassment by male rappers constantly? I mean genuinely what did she do?” a second person added, while a third person said: “Somebody tell this guy its 2024.”
“F**k this guy. Men love to bring up traumatic moments in women’s lives for attention. Leave Megan alone,” a fourth person wrote.
“Eminem is too old to still be name dropping for shock value. It was “cool and edgy” back in 01’ but dude you’re 50 evolve as an artist,” added another.
Megan Thee Stallion was shot in the foot by Tory Lanez in 2020. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Not everyone was offended by the lyric, with others rushing to the rapper’s defence by claiming that it was all part of his infamous Slim Shady character.
“Is everybody new to the Slim Shady thing or something?” one person questioned, while another said: “Slim Shady is truly back!”
Eminem disses his own kids as the real slim shady returns in first song from new album
Eminem fans claim ‘real rap is back’
Eminem is well and truly back, back again, as his new single plays on the idea of making his ‘career disappear’ ahead of upcoming album The Death of Slim Shady.
And his fans have declared that ‘real rap is back’ on his new song ‘Houdini’.
However, nobody, including his children, is left out of the firing line here.
The start of the tune, which references Megan Thee Stallion and Steve Miller Band, begins with one of his most famous melodies: “Guess who’s back, back again?
“Shady’s back, tell a friend. Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back?
Eminem has dropped ‘Houdini’ and his fans were not ready for this. (YouTube/EminemMusic)
“Guess who’s back? (Haha) Da-da-da, da, da, da, da, da, da. Da-da-da, da, da, da, da.”
You know the one.
As Eminem attempted to kill off his alter ego ‘Slim Shady’ throughout the track, he also jokes about disregarding everyone that’s helped him get to where he’s got to.
That includes Dr Dre, Jimmy Lovine and, not least, his children – who all feature in the music video.
The rapper shares three children with his ex-wife, Kim Scott: Hailie Jade Scott, Alaina Scott and Stevie Laine Scott.
He raps: “But you can all suck my d**k, in fact
“F**k them, f**k Dre, f**k Jimmy, f**k me, f**k you F**k my own kids, they’re brats (F**k ’em)
“They can screw off (Yeah), them and you all (Uh).
His kids were not happy. (YouTube/EminemMusic)
“You too, Paul (Punk), got two balls Big as RuPaul’s (Woah).
“What you thought you saw ain’t what you saw (Nah) ‘Cause you’re never gon’ see me.
“Caught sleepin’ and see the kidnappin’ never did happen. Like Sherri Papini, Harry Houdini.
“I vanish into the thin air as I’m leavin’ like. Abra-abracadabra (And for my last trick).
“I’m ’bout to reach in my bag, bruh (Like) Abra-abracadabra (And for my last trick, poof).
“Just like that and I’m back, bro.”
The likes of 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and Pete Davidson also appear in the video.
As expected, his fans have been loving the song, as one person commented: “Omg the blonde slim brings back so many memories.”
“Never thought I’d see Em & Dre in a lambo again lmao, the nostalgia,” a second penned.
“Eminem’s wordplay is on another level in Houdini!” wrote a third.
This comes after Hailie Jade, 28, recently got married to her partner Evan McClintock, as her dad, 51, wore a tuxedo, dark glasses and Nike Air Jordans for the nuptials.