On Friday (July 12, 2024), after 4 years break, Eminem returned with 12th solo studio album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coupe de Grâce). The project opens with the intro track titled “Renaissance,” which finds Slim Shady name-dropping several rappers, giving them credits
“Now let’s travel inside the mind of a hater / ‘Cause I don’t see no fans, all I see’s a bunch of complainers / ‘Kendrick‘s album was cool, but it didn’t have any bangers / Wayne‘s album or Ye‘s, couldn’t tell you which one was lamer / Joyner’s album was corny, Shady’s new s–t is way worse / Everything is either too tame or there’s too much anger / I didn’t like the beat, so I hated Might Delete Later‘ / You nerdy pricks would find somethin’ wrong with 36 Chambers / It’s what they do to the greats / Pick apart a Picasso and make excuses to hate / So you can wait for your flowers until you’re blue in the face / Stupid, you ain’t gonna get ’em until your funeral.” raps Eminem.
Some hip-hop fans on X, formerly known as Twitter, believe the lyrics are shots at K-Dot and others namedropped but Em is clearly giving credit to them. He’s obviously speaking in the third person through the outlook of a hater and is not dissing Dot or the other MCs he named. However, the same can’t be said for Ja Rule who catches a stray on the song “Guilty Conscience 2.”
J. Cole has publicly apologized to Kendrick Lamar for dissing him on “7 Minute Drill” from his new album Might Delete Later, while performing at Dreamville Festival. Walking back his lyrics about his longtime friend on the surprise song that was released on last week, Cole expressed regret about releasing the track.
“I’m so proud of my new album, except for one part. It’s one part of that s–t that makes me feel like, man that’s the lamest s–t I did in my f–kin’ life, right? And I know this is not what a lot of people want to hear. I was conflicted because: one, I know my heart and I know how I feel about my peers. These two n-ggas that I just been blessed to even stand beside in this game, let alone chase their greatness. So I felt conflicted ’cause I’m like, bruh, I don’t even feel no way. But the world wanna see blood. I don’t know if y’all can feel that, but the world wanna see blood.” said J. Cole to the crowed during his headlining set.
Then he continued: “That s–t disrupts my f–king peace. So what I want to say right here tonight is in the midst of me doing that, trying to find a little angle and downplay this n-gga’s f–king catalog and his greatness, I want to say right now tonight, how many people think Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest motherf–kers to ever touch a f–king microphone? Dreamville, y’all love Kendrick Lamar, correct? As do I. I just want to come up here and publicly be like, bruh, that was the lamest, goofiest s–t. I say all that to say it made me feel like 10 years ago when I was moving incorrectly. And I pray that God will line me back up on my purpose and on my path. I pray that my n-gga really didn’t feel no way and if he did, my n-gga, I got my chin out. Take your best shot. I’ma take that s–t on the chin, boy. Do what you do.”
“All good. It’s love. And I pray that y’all forgive a n-gga for the misstep and I can get back to my true path. Because I ain’t gonna lie to y’all, the past two days felt terrible. It let me know how good I’ve been sleeping for the past 10 years.” J. Cole added. The Dreamville boss also said he would be taking the diss track off streaming services but at the time of writing this article, it is still available on Spotify and Apple Music.
J. Cole’s apology was not well received by many in Hip Hop and it looks like 50 Cent is one of them. Taking to his social media accounts, Fif posted a screenshot of the article of Cole apologizing with the caption: “WTF how I miss this, J. Cole call my phone, right now!” Check the post below:
Since Metro Boomin and Future unleashed the first of their two joint albums, titled WE DON’T TRUST YOU, social media blew up on Friday (Mar. 22, 2024), courtesy of an explosive verse detonated by the one and only Kendrick Lamar. On the song called “Like That,” K. Dot throws several jabs, suggestively targeting two of the best rappers in the game, J. Cole and Drake.
“Yeah, get up with me, f–k sneak dissing/ ‘First Person Shooter,’ I hope they came with three switches,” Kendrick spits on his guest verse. “First Person Shooter” is the collaborative song Drake and Cole released last year on which the latter boasted: “Love when they argue the hardest MC/ Is it K-Dot? Is it Aubrey? Or me?/We the big three like we started a league.”
Kendrick Lamar didn’t stop there, as he continued firing more shots at Dreezy and Jermaine. “Think I won’t drop the location? I still got PTSD/ Motherf–k the Big 3, n-gga, it’s just big me,” he raps. Lamar then seemingly aimed directly at Drake, saying: “‘Fore all your dogs gettin’ buried, that’s a K with all these nines, he gon’ see Pet Sematary.” For context, Drake’s last album is titled For All The Dogs that came out in 2023.
Kendrick firing shots at his peers overshadowed some interesting lines he had in the middle of his verse, which appears to be inspired by Eminem‘s actions against Melle Mel. “I crash out, like, “F–k rap,” diss Melle Mel if I had to.” raps Kendrick.
Melle Mel was the lead rapper and songwriter of Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, the 1970’s New York hip-hop collective that not only pioneered the art of rapping, but the genre of hip-hop altogether. To diss Melle Mel would be dissing rap and hip-hop itself, which Kendrick is well aware of and willing to do if necessary, meaning no one is safe. Lamar may be drawing parallels to the infamous 2023 beef between Detroit legend Eminem and Melle Mel.
The beef started back in a March 2023 with Art of Dialogue interview where Mel suggested that Slim Shady’s No. 5 placement on Billboard’s top 50 Rappers of All Time list was because of him being white. Em would go on to respond with a diss on “Realest,” a July 2023 track by Shady Records’ recent signee Ez Mil where Em claimed Melle Mel lost his mind to steroid use. Melle Mel replied in a diss of his own which was poorly received to the point Melle Mel had deleted the track and issued public apology for the song and for starting the beef itself.
Royce 5’9″ has recently done a question and answer session for his fans with his wife on Instagram where he addressed his past beef with Yelawolf, shared his opinion on Eminem’s “Doomsday Pt. 2” song, commented about NF, gave high praise to J. Cole and teases another Bad Meets Evil project.
What do you think about NF?
Is that a guy from, is he like a Christian rapper? Rap real good, Christian rap? If so, yeah, I like him. He cool.
Who is the best rapper right now?
Hm, this is a good question. I don’t know. Probably Nasaan. I’m always afraid to give my opinion because…Yo, man, I was on Joe Budden Podcast and he asked me how I felt about the state of things. He asked me about my opinion how I felt about it and a friend of mine, another rapper who you all know but I’m not gonna say his name, texted me like two paragraphs message. How did you receive this? He was challenging me or something? Why do everybody think that I’m like when I break something down, the lyrics are the only thing that matter to me. Cause he was explaining to me the importance of melody and how melody is key and it ain’t all about the lyrics. I was thinking to myself, ‘yo, what the f–k do that gotta do what I said?’ I said that J. Cole seemed like the only guy I heard in a minute that’s like being real competitive and trying to be the best. I was not just talking about his lyrics. My criteria is how many boxes he checks. I don’t like when artist feel like they have to choose one or another. Biggie could do everything, tell stories, he made complete bodies of work, super lyrical, checked all the boxes, that’s my criteria.
How was “Doomsday Pt. 2”?
Yo, I wish I could f–king…I wish I had a device that I can put on people’s heads and make them forget about that whole f–king scenario. I’m really ready for that to go away. Benzino basically went on the entire press run, putting out records and guess whose name got worked up in the mix out of nowhere? Me!
Are you and Yelawolf okay?
Yeah, we are. One thing about me is I’m not about to just sit around and just be mad at people. It’s going to get addressed and we gonna come to some sort of a solution or we gonna move on. I’m not gonna sit around and just harbor feelings about people. He didn’t do anything that was surprising to me. So it’s just another thing. But I’m not tripping about him or anybody else.
What are your thoughts on Em’s verse on Doomsday?
Why? Why do you wanna know what I think? Because all I’mma do is say my opinion and the next thing you do you all like ‘oh, he like everything he do, that’s his boss. He got to get on here and defend him all the time. Why you talking for him?!’ but you can’t name one time I talk for him. Jesus Christ! They just stick me with all of that f–king worst titles. ‘Let that white boy talk for himself, man! What you talking for?!’ Like, bro, really?
Why have not you been on BMF?
That’s a good question. You should ask 50 Cent that. Next time you see 50, matter of fact, spam him and be like ‘yo man, why you ain’t got Nickel on BMF? He sold more dope than all of them n-ggas.’
Is there another collab with Em happening?
“Man, we gon’ do whole Benzino diss EP and square this away once for all. The winner gets crowned with Global Lyrical Supremacy Forever. Whoever makes the best diss records. I’mma do PRhyme 3 and diss everybody too.” said Royce 5’9″. From there, Royce’s wife continues: “Go on Marshall’s and make sure you say we need BME 3. The fans, don’t think you don’t matter. Cause I want to hear BME 3.” Royce 5’9″ added: “I told you we going to do it.”
“Doomsday Pt. 2” by Eminem from Cole Bennett and Lyrical Lemonade compilation album, All Is Yellow, is out now! The song is produced by Daniyel and John Nocito with the original “Role Model” production coming from Eminem, Luis Resto, Mel-Man and Dr. Dre.
In the song, Eminem makes fun of Benzino, who has been dissing Slim Shady in the last few years. “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 f–k is that? How can I go at somethin’ he doesn’t have?” Eminem raps in the song.
Eminem employs a riddle to draw a comparison between his old rival, Benzino, and a giraffe, an animal known for its distinctively long neck. This riddle cleverly references a moment back in 2010 when Eminem, during the filming of “Not Afraid” behind the scenes, was ironically asked what he feared, to which he humorously responded with “Giraffes.”
By posing the riddle and asserting that the opposite of Benzino is a giraffe, Eminem is essentially saying that Benzino is not, and has never been, a source of fear for him. This is reinforced by the punchline that Benzino has no neck—a playful exaggeration suggesting there’s nothing there for Eminem to attack, both literally and metaphorically.
The line “Go at his neck,” a common phrase in rap that typically means to verbally attack someone fiercely, is turned on its head with Eminem’s retort, “How can I go at somethin’ he doesn’t have.” Here, Eminem is not just making a physical joke at Benzino’s expense but also implying that Benzino is not a worthy opponent in a rap battle. The joke about Benzino’s lack of a neck is used to underscore the point that Eminem feels there’s nothing to attack because Benzino poses no real threat or challenge to him.
The giraffe metaphor serves a dual purpose: it recalls a personal joke from Eminem’s past, thus connecting it to his larger narrative, and it functions as a tool to diminish Benzino’s reputation in the rap community. Eminem’s use of this comparison to a giraffe, which is known for its long neck, to claim that Benzino has none, is a classic example of his complex lyricism and sharp wit. This is a testament to Eminem’s skill in integrating personal anecdotes, and humor and dissing his rivals within his music. (via Genius).
Em continues bashing Benzino and mentions his daughter Coi Leray: “Arm so short he can’t even touch his hands / When they’re up above his head doin’ jumpin’ jacks (Wow) / Sorry, I don’t mean (What?) to upset you, Ben’ (Yeah) / When I talk about (What?) all the debt you in (Uh) / I hear that you been (What?) creepin’ on the low / In them cheap hotels (Yeah), that they catch you in (What?) / Jesus Christ, dawg (Damn), when you said two-ten (What?) / Never guessed you meant (Damn) at the Red Roof Inn (Shit) / In a room with one single bed, two men (What?) / Shady, man, you can’t—, yes, you can / Well, I guess then I regret to inform you, hate to spoil the day (What?) / But this doesn’t bring me no joy to say (Huh?) / Guess that Coi Leray feat’s in the toilet, ayy?”
Red Roof Inn is an American economy hotel chain in the United States with over 600 properties globally, primarily in the Midwest, Southern, and Eastern United States. Benzino has been reportedly kicked out of the hotel and allegedly sleeping with another man. Several rumours have been spread that Benzino is gay after he has reportedly “told the LGBTQ+ community to stop flirting with him.”
At the end of the verse, Eminem also shouts out J. Cole and Dr. Dre’s label Aftermath: “I’m back with Cole Bennett, And I been at the level J. Cole been at, It’s Aftermath that I ride for ’til I die.” Em has previously mentioned and praised J. Cole’s skills in the numerous interviews and Cole has named Eminem as one of his biggest influences. Even though there is much mutual respect between the two rappers, they have never released a song together.
Em also reminded everyone who had the best verse on Drake’s 2009 single, “Forever,” which also features Lil Wayne and Kanye West: “I’m not tryna be controversial, I’d rather, Talk about s–t with the purpose that matters, Like who had second best verse on “Forever”?” It’s popular consensus that Eminem laid the best verse on “Forever,”. Em is suggesting people to discuss who had the second best verse on a song, because you know who belongs the best title. Kanye West also previously revealed that when he first heard Em’s verse, it made him cancel appointments to rewrite his verse.
Last month, Busta Rhymes returned with a new studio album, Blockbusta. The LP arrived as his eleventh project overall and the first full-length collection of music since 2020’s Extinction Level Event 2.
To promote the album, the East Flatbush, New York-born hip-hop legend has done an interview on Amazon Music’s +44 Podcast with Sideman and Zeze Millz where he revealed his list of top five greatest rappers of all time.
“Greatest rapper ever? I don’t think I have one. I could say five. Rakim. Some might disagree with me but Nas. I would say Eminem. I’m starting to feel like there some new guys that are starting to go into that list to me. I’m almost there with J. Cole but I’m still torn between him and Kendrick. I’m talking about only bars! If Kendrick was to get active in the same way that Cole is being active, it would be a way different conversation but again, I’m torn between Cole and Kendrick, but it would be one of them two.” said Busta Rhymes.
Then he continued: “I still didn’t put none of them two in the fourth place. I was just saying that it was gonna be a new guy cause they are really starting to really earn their right to passage and to be in the top 5 greatest of all time to me. I would definitely say JAY-Z. I’m Biggie bias. I’m Biggie bias because I think what he has done between two albums everybody obviously had an opportunity to work way longer than him and they still can’t top what he has done in two albums. I think that’s my list.”
Later, Busta continues speaking about touring with 50 Cent, his new album Blockbusta, working with Little Simz, R.A and Giggs, growing up in the United Kingdom and more. You can watch the interview below:
J. Cole has talked openly about the Hip Hop icons who motivated him to strive for excellence and establish himself as a prominent figure in rap.
Cole has recently sat down with Kevin Hart for the latest episode of Hart to Heart podcast on Peacock, where he paid homage to some of the game’s legends that paved the way like Eminem and 2Pac.
“I got a whole list of people who are the reason why I’m here — They don’t even know it but they are north stars that I was following. Obviously, Pac. Jay, Nas, Eminem, André 3000, Lil Wayne. And these are obviously the big bullets.” Cole said.
Then he continued: “I had Royce Da 5’9″ moments. I had Canibus moments. I had Boom Boom moments. But like in terms of the people that fueled my ambition. That showed me what was really possible. Like the first names I named, those are the highest ones. So those were the people where I was like, ‘Yo, I’m tryna get up there.’ In terms of skill, in terms of success, all of that they fueled it.”
BlocBoy JB says that he is one of the “best rappers in the world,” along with Eminem, J. Cole and Drake. The Memphis, Tennessee-born rapper, who is best known for “Look Alive” with Drake and “Rover 2.0” with 21 Savage, made the claim in a post on his Instagram Story.
“I’m One Of The Best Rappers In The World Y’all Just sleep. Bar 4 Bar only ni–a up der wit me is @eminem @champagnepapi @realcoleworld.” he wrote over a black screen.
The story was reshared by DJ Akademiks on Instagram and the fans madly disagreed with BlocBoy. “I’ve never seen clout chasing like this before bro is really going out sad = HE BROKE,” one user wrote. Another commented: “I know a ni–a from down the st with more bars then this ni–a.” Others in disagreement still defended BlocBoy from criticism: “I ain’t even mad at bro.. That’s how you’re suppose to feel about your music.”
Today, Creed III movie was premiered in the theaters. The 3rd part in the Creed series and the overall 9th installment in the Rocky franchise was accompanied by two soundtrack albums. One is titled Creed III: The Soundtrack, featuring original songs executive produced by J. Cole’s Dreamville, and Creed III: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, featuring an original score composed by Joseph Shirley. Both were released today, March 3, 2023.
The original soundtrack includes contributions from Dreamville artists, J. Cole, Bas, Cozz, Omen, Lute, Ari Lennox, JID, and EarthGang. In the song called “Adonis Interlude (The Montage),” Cole interpolates the lyrics and the beat of Dr. Dre‘s “The Watcher,” featuring Eminem, a song that was written by Slim Shady himself.
Eminem is the sole credited writer on “The Watcher” and sings on its hook. The D.O.C. has stated it was Eminem’s work, and the lyrics use typical tropes of Eminem’s writing in 1999 – the sarcastic tone and use of vowel modulation to form impossible rhymes. The beat is produced by Dr. Dre.
In the song, “Adonis Interlude (The Montage),” Cole kicks his verse with “Things ain’t the same for young Jermaine” just like Dre’s opening line on “The Watcher,”: “Things just ain’t the same for gangstas…” For that reason, Eminem and Dr. Dre are credited as writers of the song and Dre as a producer.
The former rapper and popular hip-hop podcaster pops back into his old stomping ground to debate Complex magazine‘s B. Dot on who the best rapper alive is: Eminem, Kanye West, Drake, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Nas and more, see who takes the crown!
At one stage of the brackets, J. Cole popped up against Eminem. Here is what Joe replied: “Cole! Em has been…He left earth one time though but that needs to be more consistent for me. J. Cole is doing this while playing in and out of Italian league basketball. Or wherever the f**k he’s playing basketball. It was in Africa? He doing all this while hitting he baseline three. And Cole’s last album for me is Chef’s Kiss, I have not got that from Em in a little bit. Not saying that he’s incapable doing that but I have not gotten that. I’m going Cole.”
Elsewhere in the brackets Budden chose Benny The Butcher over Freddie Gibbs. Nicki Minaj over Cardi B. Pusha T over Drake. Lil Wayne over NBA YoungBoy. Future over Kanye West. Jay-Z over Nas. Lil Durk over Lil Baby. Kendrick Lamar over Benny The Butcher and Tyler The Creator over Nicki Minaj.
Later during the interview, Joe Budden also questioned Eminem’s place in top 10 greatest rappers of all time: “I don’t know if Eminem is on there. He changed the game but that’s not an argument for me. It has not aged. I think only his classics remained classics and for me it’s his first album and The Marshall Mathers LP.”
Check out Complex Brackets below to see who gets crowned as a best rapper alive by Joe Budden:
LA rapper who goes by the name Cozz debuted in 2014 with his studio album “Cozz & Effect” and now is a part of the J. Cole’s Dreamville Records label.
Today, Cozz is most known for his remix of “Kock Tha Hustle” featuring J. Cole and “Zendaya” song which produced by Cole as well.
Cozz will be performing with his Dreamville family at Dreamville Festival, a star-studded event taking place April 2-3 at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh.
The young talented rapper has recently shared five songs that inspired his flow and the list goes like this:
1. “Only God Can Judge Me” by 2Pac
2. “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
