Just when the public thought Benzino’s longstanding disdain for Eminem was over, the decades-long feud is right back on and more heated than ever. On February 17, Benzino appeared on the Drink Champs podcast. After hours of enjoying the adult beverages on set, Benzino somewhat drunkenly confessed that he didn’t have anything “against Eminem” and that he actually believes “[Eminem] can rap.”
Ultimately, he vowed not to address the tension anymore as he felt that it impacted his daughter, Uproxx cover star Coi Leray’s career. But that promise has since been spoiled. During a sit down with The Art of Dialogue on February 21, Benzino, a.k.a. “The Eminem Slayer,” shared that he still thinks his arch-emeny sucks.
“‘Rap Elvis’ already destroyed him,” he said. “I already killed him with ‘Rap Elvis.’ Where’s he at? Where’s the response? I want to battle him face-to-face. I think he’s overrated. I think he sucks as a rapper. And it’s f*ck anybody that’s with him. I bombed on him. I’m going to continue to bomb on him. I’m going to continue to expose him.”
Drunk mouths are supposed to speak a sober mind. But in Benzino’s case, it appears to have been the exact opposite.
Benzino is back talking about Eminem. Appearing on The Art of Dialogue, Benzino claims he “destroyed” Eminem, referring to his “Rap Elvis” single.
“‘Rap Elvis’ already destroyed him,” Benzino said. “I already killed him with ‘Rap Elvis.’ Where’s he at? Where’s the response? I want to battle him face-to-face. I think he’s overrated and sucks as a rapper.”
Last week, in the same Drink Champs episode where Benzino called out Eminem, he also cried and said he doesn’t hate Eminem.
In the opening part of Benzino’s episode, he is brazen in his opinion toward Slim Shady.
“F**k Eminem and fuck everybody down with Eminem,” Benzino opened. “My thing is, that n**a won’t face me. When we was in Puerto Rico I was with west with a gun on the dashboard and we caught Green Lantern outside the DJ convention. Don’t f**k around with me.
“We come from a whole different trenches. That n***a ain’t us.”
Benzino challenges Eminem to a three round rap battle and goes off on Eminem for dissing his daughter Coi Leray.
But once the liquor set in, Benzino had a softer response, even crying.
“I don’t hate Eminem. I don’t know him to hate him,” Benzino said. “I don’t hate white people tired of this shit, man. It’s just too much. I don’t want to be the bad guy.
“Eminem ain’t no bad person. He belongs in Hip Hop. It’s a big racist problem in America right now and Eminem could probably stop half of it.”
While much of the world was focusing on Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion’s beef. Eminem and Benzino were also going back and forth. The beef began when Eminem took shots an Benzino on the song “Doomsday” from the new Lyrical Lemonade album All Is Yellow. He used the song as an opportunity to take shots at Zino’s appearance, his career path, and his allegedly dwindling financials. The song was short but absolutely packed full of disses one after another.
Though Benzino didn’t respond immediately, once he did he didn’t hold anything back. He released a pair of diss tracks called “Vulturius” and “Rap Elvis.” Combined they made for a pretty robust portrait of Em as a kind of culture vulture and even had some fans claiming the Zino may have come out on top. But many others in the rap world slammed Zino for even entering the beef with one of the most notoriously lethal MCs in all of rap in the first place. And in the weeks since then more and more things have happened that seem to imply he lost the beef. Despite that he’s still claiming a major victory in his most recent statement.
Recently Benzino sat down for an interview with The Art Of Dialogue where he discussed the beef even more. “I already killed him with ‘Rap Elvis.’ Where’s he at? Where’s the response? I want to battle him face-to-face. I think he’s overrated. I think he sucks as a rapper,” he says in the interview.
Later on in the interview he predicted that he would go down as the winner of the beef. But he didn’t just claim victory in their own personal beef, but claims to have dethroned Eminem personally. ““I’m going to go down in history as the Eminem slayer,” he said during his own examination of how the beef went. What do you think of Benzino’s newest comments about being “the Eminem Slayer?” Do you believe that he’s come out on top of the beef so far? Let us know in the comment section below.
Eminem has taken living in the past to a whole new level. Apparently, the “Stan” rapper’s key to cutting out the noise online is to downgrade his tech. Yesterday (February 22), DJ Whoo Kid revealed to his million Instagram followers that his longtime friend and collaborator still uses a BlackBerry phone. (BlackBerry, by the way, hasn’t made a new phone in years.)
He wrote, “#Eminem was trying to figure out who ate his last mom’s spaghetti box in the dressing room. I was like @momsspaghettidetroit I told him it was @iamdenaun and by the way yes. He still has a blackberry phone.”
While most followers focused on DJ Whoo Kid’s photo of homemade spaghetti, others couldn’t help but point out the technological relic.
“[Is] that a blackberry,” asked rapper Gashi, leading others to dogpile on.
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DJ Whoo Kid, seemingly experiencing secondhand embarrassment, replied, “Yes. He still has it.”
Another user called out their friend and Eminem for being “the only people left in this world communicating w BlackBerry.”
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“LMAOOOO the blackberry phone,” wrote one user.
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“Does using a Blackberry keep you from aging or what Slim,” jokingly asked one user.
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Maybe vintage tech is the foundation of youth everyone’s so desperately been after. Or it could just be Eminem being his typical introverted self. There is no way you can get into an X (formerly Twitter) spat if your phone can’t even access the app in the first place. Kendrick Lamar’s Pgland company might’ve found its ideal customer for their anti-distraction device, LightPhone.
Since he debuted in the late ‘90s, Royce Da 5’9″ has released over 10 albums, as well as several EPs and mixtapes. Over time, the Detroit-based rapper has carved out a distinguished space in the Hip Hop landscape. Certainly, his impact on the genre extends far beyond his hometown roots. The rapper’s skill on the mic is undeniable, and he has been rightly praised for his talent. However, critical acclaim is not the only thing Royce Da 5’9″ has achieved with his albums. He has also earned notable commercial success with many of his projects. However, in terms of sales, one album in his discography stands out as king, beating out the rest by a wide margin.
Hell: The Sequel is by far the biggest album in Royce Da 5’9’s catalog. While the rapper has an extensive discography with over 20 projects, this is one of only two albums that are certified in the US. Additionally, it is the sole album by the rapper to sell enough units to earn certifications outside the US. The album has sold 500,000 units in the US, and as such, is a RIAA Gold-certified album. Hell: The Sequel is Gold-certified in the UK for over 100,000 album units sold. Finally, in Australia, the album has sold over 70,000 units, and is certified Platinum.
The Rise Of Bad Meets Evil
The iconic Hip Hop duo Bad Meets Evil consists of two prolific artists: Royce Da 5’9 and Eminem. The two formed the group in 1998, joining forces to create timeless music. In October 1998, they debuted with their double single, “Nuttin’ To Do” and “Scary Movies.” Unfortunately, they broke up soon after, following a feud between Royce and D12, Em’s Hip Hop collective.
Subsequently, both Royce Da 5’9 and Eminem moved on to focus on their solo careers, releasing many albums. However, in 2011, the two reunited, and released Hell: The Sequelto critical and commercial success. It is their only album to date, and they have not released any new music since then. While Em and Royce have featured each other on their solo projects, fans hope Bad Meets Evil comes together to make another project.
Undoubtedly, this is one of the most impressive albums Royce da 5’9 has ever created. The 11-track project showcases the impeccable chemistry and lyrical prowess that define the Bad Meets Evil collaboration. From the first track “Welcome 2 Hell,” the duo wastes no time in delivering hard-hitting verses over gritty production. It sets the tone for the project’s relentless energy and raw lyricism. Additionally, the project’s two singles are standout tracks whose successes contributed to the sales of the project. “Fast Lane,” the lead single, peaked at number 32 on the Hot 100 chart. Furthermore, “Lighters” ft. Bruno Mars peaked at number four and sold over two million certified single units.
Throughout the project, Royce da 5’9 and Eminem display remarkable synergy. They seamlessly complement each other’s styles and push each other to new lyrical heights. In conclusion, this body of work stands as a testament to the enduring talent and collaborative spirits of the two rappers. It remains a cornerstone of modern Hip Hop and a must-listen for fans of the genre.
In the same episode that Benzino called out Eminem, he also cried and said he doesn’t hate Eminem.
In the opening part of Benzino’s Drink Champs episode, he is brazen in his opinion toward Slim Shady.
“F**k Eminem and fuck everybody down with Eminem,” Benzino opened. “My thing is, that n**a won’t face me. When we was in Puerto Rico I was with west with a gun on the dashboard and we caught Green Lantern outside the DJ convention. Don’t f**k around with me.
“We come from a whole different trenches. That n***a ain’t us.”
Benzino challenges Eminem to a three round rap battle and goes off on Eminem for dissing his daughter Coi Leray.
But once the liquor set in, Benzino had a softer response, even crying.
“I don’t hate Eminem. I don’t know him to hate him,” Benzino said. “I don’t hate white people tired of this shit, man. It’s just too much. I don’t want to be the bad guy.
“Eminem ain’t no bad person. He belongs in Hip Hop. It’s a big racist problem in America right now and Eminem could probably stop half of it.”
We will never live in a world where Eminem and Benzino have stopped talking about each other. Benzino pulled up to Drink Champs and once again spoke about his former foe.
“F**k Eminem and fuck everybody down with Eminem,” Benzino opened. “My thing is, that n**a won’t face me. When we was in Puerto Rico I was with west with a gun on the dashboard and we caught Green Lantern outside the DJ convention. Don’t f**k around with me.
“We come from a whole different trenches. That n***a ain’t us.”
You can hear Benzino’s rant and ask “What the f**k can he do to me?” below.
In January, Eminem had time. Dropping off “Doomsday Pt. 2,” Slim Shady launches a full-on assault on Benzino, harkening back to the days when Benzino once owned The Source.
Now I got a riddle, one condition, you mustn’t laugh What is the opposite of Benzino? A giraffe “Go at his neck,” how the fuck is that? How can I go at somethin’ he doesn’t have? Arm so short he can’t even touch his hands When they’re above his head doin’ jumpin’ jacks Sorry, I don’t mean to upset you, Ben’ When I talk about all the debt you in I hear that you been creepin’ on the low In them cheap hotels, that they catch you in Jesus Christ, dawg, when you said two-ten Never guessed you meant at the Red Roof Inn In a room with one single bed, two men Shady, man, you can’t—, yes, you can Well, I guess then I regret to inform you, hate to spoil the day But this doesn’t bring me no joy to say Guess that Coi Leray feat’s in the toilet, ayy? Damage due to flows, collateral, I s’pose Gat-pointed like mine and Sandra Bullock’s nose Yeah, them bullet holes, have you full of those You’ll catch a stray like animal control, plan a funeral I’ma probably have to plan a few neurological exams Once again, it is off into that damn padded room I go
In April 2023, Benzino reflected on his beef with Eminem. According to the rapper, the late Michael Jackson thanked him for dissing Slim Shady back in the day.
Popping up on The Gauds Show podcast, Benzino claims MJ praised him for the diss after Eminem made light of the situation where Michael Jackson once caught on fire. That moment was in the “Just Lose It” video.
“I met Mike through Teddy [Riley]. He called me and he thanked me. Because when Eminem dissed him with the fire situation, in the video, Mike called and I remember his assistant put him on the phone and I sat there and listened to him. And he thanked me.”
Beef is a permanent dish on hip-hop’s menu; anyone can be served a heaping helping. While time can sometimes aid in relationship mending, that’s not always the cause for rappers. Benzino and Eminem’slongstanding feud is a prime example of this. In the past few weeks alone, they’ve each dropped disses toward the other. So, during Benzino’s recent appearance on Drink Champs, the host couldn’t help but ask about it.
Throughout the episode uploaded on February 17, Benzino took several jabs at Eminem. At one point, he even implied that Eminem’s rise to fame in rap was due to him being white. However, near the end of the sit down (the 2-hour 34-minute mark), Benzino, overwhelmed with emotion and alcohol, reflected on how his issue with Eminem has impacted his daughter Uproxx cover star Coi Leray.
“I don’t have nothing against Eminem,” he said. “He can rap, but I care about us more. I don’t want to talk about it no more,” he said. “My daughter came to industry figuring ‘I gotta be cool with Eminem because everybody is against my dad. I don’t hate Eminem. I don’t know him to hate him. I don’t hate white people tired of this sh*t, man. It’s just too much. I don’t want to be the bad guy.”
Leray previously spoke about how Benzino’s past mix-ups could have derailed her career, including her guest verse from Nicki Minaj on “Blick Blick.”
Watch Benzino’s full interview on the Drink Champs podcast above.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Much like his good friend Curtis Jackson, Marshall Mathers continues to expand his resume into the world of TV and film. The former has been putting in serious work on Power and Raising Kanan in recent years, not to mention the Diddy documentary he’s pouring his all into after last year’s explosive allegation-filled lawsuit from Cassie. For his part, Eminem is doing some co-producing of his own, as his Shady Films company is assisting in the creation of Stans – a documentary that will “focus on the rise in intense fandoms when it comes to music,” as Variety notes.
The most recent example of social media users letting their love for certain artists take things too far stems from Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion’s rap beef. The location of the Houston Hottie’s mother’s gravesite was doxxed, leading to a similar situation happening with the Queen of Rap’s late father. Mathers knew about dynamics like this long before the Internet age took over. On his 2000 song, “Stan,“ Em reads a letter from an obsessive fan who winds up committing great acts of tragedy after feeling invisible to his favourite MC.
Eminem Continues to Keep Up with 50 Cent Outside of Music
Eminem and 50 Cent attend the “Southpaw” New York premiere at AMC Loews Lincoln Square on July 20, 2015. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
The Steven Leckart-directed project is due out later in 2024. From what we know so far, it’s going to be a “revealing, edgy, and disarmingly personal journey into the world of super fandom, told through the lens of one of the world’s most iconic and enduring artists, Eminem, and the fans that worship him.”
From the early days of his career, Eminem was truthful about the absurdities in his fans and those of other celebrities. “Stans” will only further explore that narrative, and it won’t be the only time the Detroit native has examined issues within the industry. Following the annual Grammy Awards this month, we reflected on some of rap’s most influential figures who have spoken out against the organization behind giving out the prestigious prizes. Read more about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
Eminem will be co-producing a new documentary called Stans through his Shady Films company, which will focus on the rise in intense fandoms when it comes to music. The title creatively pulls inspiration from the rapper’s song, “Stan,” which popularized the term for an obsessed fan — or stalker plus fan.
It will be directed by Steven Leckart and be released later this year, according to Variety.
Stans has specifically been described as a “revealing, edgy, and disarmingly personal journey into the world of superfandom, told through the lens of one of the world’s most iconic and enduring artists, Eminem, and the fans that worship him.”
“Stans will be the opportunity for us to turn the camera around and ask the audience about being fans — and in some cases, fanatics,” Eminem’s manager, Stuart Rosenberg, and Stuart Parr shared in a joint statement. “This is a study of the relationship between fanbase and artist through the lens of one of Eminem’s most fascinating songs and one of the world’s most important entertainers.”
“Paul Rosenberg and I have known each other since my days on MTV’s TRL, a show that was driven by the power of fandom, bringing artists and their fans together,” Tony DiSanto, the CEO of Diga Studios, added. “So when he told me about the idea for this film, it felt like we had come full circle. Stans will explore the complex relationship between fame and super fandom, told through the lens of one of the world’s most Iconic artists, Eminem, his music, and, especially, his most extreme fans.”
