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Joe Budden reacts to Eminem’s new single “Tobey”

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Eminem has recently released second single “Tobey,” featuring Big Sean and BabyTron from his upcoming 12th solo studio album “The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grace).” The Detroit legend was planning on dropping the Cole Bennett-directed video for it but ran into a delay. On Friday (July 5), he updated those awaiting its arrival with a tweet, writing, “The Tobey video is not completed- new date Monday 7/8. Here’s a peek in the meantime!!! Sorry 4 the delay.”

Eminem released the audio for “Tobey” on July 2, 2024. He revisits the 2023 controversy involving Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five member Melle Mel. “Yet here I sit on your list though at five (Hm), which still was fine/But just know inside, to me, that s–t’s hilarious, so when I (Haha)/Get dissed though and by a pioneer/Who was one of the reasons why I am here/They tell me I should just let that s–t go and slide (Why?)/’Melle Mel shouldn’t get no reply’ (Why?) ‘That man is a legend,’ b–ch, so am I (Haha, yeah).” he raps. 

The feud between Melle Mel and Eminem escalated last year, when Em responded to Melle Mel’s previous comments in which he suggested that Slim Shady’s success was largely due to his race. In a scathing verse on the track “Realest” featuring Ez Mil, Eminem addressed these claims head-on, stating that while his skin color has been a topic of discussion, it hasn’t guaranteed his success. He also took a direct jab at Melle Mel, referring to him as a “juice head” whose “brain is half destroyed” due to steroid use​.

Melle Mel didn’t take the comments lightly and fired back with his own diss track, but it was met with mixed reviews. Critics and fans alike felt that Melle Mel’s response lacked the punch and creativity needed to effectively counter Eminem’s sharp lyrics. The back-and-forth not only reignited discussions about race and recognition Hip-Hop but also highlighted the generational divide within the genre.

The song was recently discussed in the newest episode of Joe Budden podcast. “They smoked that s–t. I know its an Eminem record so most people would look at it as a necessary a sleeper but Em is slept on today. They cooked that! Em’s album comes out next Friday actually.” Joe Budden added: “They smoked it though!” You can watch the reaction video below: