Hip hop artist Eminem got a lot of flak for lyrics in his new song "Houdini" apparently mocking rapper Megan Thee Stallion getting shot in her feet by R&B musician Tory Lanez.
The lyric that got Eminem under fire was:
“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 play on words was a reference to the shooting incident in July 2020 when Stallion revealed Lanez shot her in both feet.
Stallion initially reported suffering from gunshot wounds and undergoing surgery to remove the bullets, which contradicted another statement of her being injured from stepping on broken glass.
The "Sweetest Pie" rapper later revealed Lanez was the shooter and explained:
"I didn't tell the police what happened immediately right there because I didn't want to die."
Lanez was convicted of shooting Stallion after he was charged by Los Angeles County prosecutors. He is currently serving ten years in prison for the crime.
Stallion later addressed the violent incident and wrote in an October 2020New York Times op-ed piece:
"Black women are still constantly disrespected and disregarded in so many areas of life. I was recently the victim of an act of violence by a man."
She maintained she was shot twice while walking away from Lanez after a party. Stallion confirmed they were "not in a relationship."
Eminem's music has been described as horrorcore, comedy, and hardcore hip hop. His lyrics frequently conveyed themes of violence and misogyny, including in songs like "Kill You," "Superman," "Cold Wind Blows," "Won’t Back Down," and "Bagpipes From Baghdad."
After his "Houdini" lyrics caused a stir online, a concerned user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote:
"Is it too much to ask that as we enter Black music month in a few days that folks not allow Eminem to make light of Megan, a BW who was a victim of gun violence, to be targeted in a song by a white rapper?"
"Folks are too comfortable disrespecting Black women."
Music journalist Sowmya Krishnamurthy said:
"The new Eminem record is trash. I doubt his core demo cares but he sounds dated, offensive for no reason and boring. Goodnight."
More criticism for Eminem followed.
Others weren't surprised he was up to his usual antics.
A couple of fans even entertained Eminem's rhetorical question about a potential collab sesh with Stallion.
Eminem wasn't the first rapper to take aim at Stallion's shooting with his lyrics.
In March 2023, Stallion's rival Nicki Minaj released "Red Ruby Da Sleeze," the second single from her fifth studio album Pink Friday 2.
The track was widely believed to be a diss track targeting Stallion that included a nod to Lanez with the lyric, “That .40 cal a make ’em dance like a go-go."
Fans believed the line referenced Lanez allegedly shouting at Stallion to "Dance, b*tch, dance" while firing bullets at her feet.
Eminem’s “Houdini” is the first single off of his upcoming 12th studio album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), due for release this summer.
Stallion is set to release her self-titled third studio album on June 28, which includes three previously released singles: "Cobra," the US Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "Hiss," and "Boa."
She is currently promoting the new album in her first headlining concert tour, Hot Girl Summer Tour, which kicked off on May 14, 2024 in Minneapolis and will finish in Washington, D.C. on July 27, 2024 at the Broccoli City Festival.
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