Eminem is no stranger to drama, indeed for much of his early career he seemed to actively court it.
However, recent years have seen Slim Shady turn down the volume on the wacky antics and skew more introspective.
For his latest effort ‘Kamikaze,’ though, the 45-year-old opted to clap back at his detractors – including younger rappers Machine Gun Kelly and Tyler The Creator.
In Kelly’s case, that duel has proven beneficial for both – Em for his lyrical lashing and MGK for his response ‘Rap Devil’ (which is currently #1 on US iTunes).
Yet, it’s Marshall’s tussle with Tyler that has received ample backlash.
As widely reported, the Odd Future star came out as bisexual last year; something Em used as ammo in his diss towards the 25-year-old.
And now, after feeling the heat of social media and think-pieces, he’s back-tracking.
Details below…
On the song ‘Fall,’ the Hip-Hop heavyweight rapped:
“Tyler create nothin’, I see why you called yourself a f*ggot, bitch.
It’s not just ’cause you lack attention
It’s because you worship D12’s balls, you’re sack-religious
If you’re gonna critique me
You better at least be as good or better”
Addressing the drama on his Kamikaze interview series with Sway Calloway, Em said:
“I think the word that I called him on that song was one of the things where I felt like this might be too far. Because in my quest to hurt him, I realize that I was hurting a lot of other people by saying it. … It was one of the things that I kept going back to and going ‘I don’t feel right with this.’”
The entire episode comes almost two decades after Em initially fell foul of favor with the LGBTQ community due to disparaging lyrics. He famously mended fences by performing with Elton John at the 2001 Grammys.
Watch as he elaborates on his regret at the 9.29 mark…