Eminem is no stranger to controversy. Despite years of diss tracks, drug addiction, relationship challenges, and personal challenges, Eminem was recently named Best Rapper Alive by a Vibe Magazine poll. Even with his controversial lyrics and persona, he's staying relevant, even two decades later.
When it comes to controversial Eminem lyrics, there's no shortage of examples. While many are simply ways to play into his person or tongue-in-cheek humor, some have drawn major criticism.
Here's a look at the back story behind some of his most controversial lyrics.
7 "The Way I Am"
My tank is on empty, no patience is in me
And if you offend me, I'm lifting you ten feet in the air
I don't care who was there and who saw me just jaw you
Imagine you see someone kissing your significant other. There would be a flash of confusion, hurt, and then rage. According to a report by Today, Eminem's rage at seeing someone kiss his wife went to another level. He reportedly pistol-whipped the man. "The Way I Am" references this and goes on to allude to the man calling his lawyer. While there is only anecdotal evidence of this, it makes for some great lyrics.
6 "Stan"
Sometimes I even cut myself to see how much it bleeds
It's like adrenaline, the pain is such a sudden rush for me
Eminem's song "Stan" tells the story of a fan who becomes so obsessed with the rapper that he takes his pregnant girlfriend's life. Many have questioned the truth of this story, but according to Grunge, the story was more conceptual than reality. Vice explores the concept of crazed fans (stans) in the context of "Stan" and how they are represented in the song. They said it "exists as a cautionary tale to fans about taking everything your idol says literally, as well as an examination of our tendency to lay the responsibility of a tragedy at an artist's doorstep because that's easier than addressing any deep-rooted societal issues that may actually have caused it in the first place."
5 "Fall"
Went from addict to a workaholic, word to Dr. Dre
In the first marijuana tape--guess I got a chronic case (Yeah)
And I ain't just blowin' smoke, 'less it's in your momma's face
In "Fall," the reference to Eminem's substance abuse issue is clearly laid out. It references his six-year addiction to prescription pills, according to Genius. Eminem reportedly abused Ambien, Valium, and extra-strength Vicodin. He told MTV, "It's no secret I had a drug problem... If I was to give you a number of Vicodin I would actually take in a day? Anywhere between 10 to 20. Valium, Ambien, the numbers got so high I don't even know what I was taking." After an overdose on methadone, Eminem got the help he needed and has since focused on his sobriety.
4 "Unaccomodating"
But I'm contemplating yelling "Bombs away" on the game
Like I'm outside of an Ariana Grande concert waiting
These lyrics fall under the "bad taste" category. In his song "Unaccomodating," Eminem makes a casual reference to the Manchester Arena suicide bombing during an Ariana Grande concert in 2017. NBC News reported on the event, stating that 22 people were killed in the event, while more than 50 were injured. The bombing took the lives of children as young as eight years old. To make such a callous reference to it did not go over well, even among the Eminem fanbase.
3 "Kim"
Never knew me cheating on you would come back to haunt me
Be we was kids then, Kim, I was only eighteen
That was years ago, I thought we wiped the slate clean
That's fucked up!
"Kim" is full of controversial lyrics, especially related to domestic violence. One of the biggest reasons it's an important song in the Eminem playlist is that it very bluntly refers to Eminem's ex, Kim. In the song, we learn about Kim cheating on Eminem, supposedly as payback for some indiscretion, he had ten years before the song was written. The other more controversial part about "Kim" is the fictional account of the pair going for a ride, during which Eminem unleashes hateful jabs at her as she becomes increasingly more fearful. In a later song's music video, we see Eminem digging a shallow grave, supposedly after having killed Kim.
2 "Love The Way You Lie"
I know I'm a liar
If she ever tried to fuckin' leave again, I'ma tie her
To the bed and set this house on fire
In this collaboration with Rihanna, Eminem talks about his deep love for someone, though the relationship seems toxic. As his lover continues to leave and come back, he finally breaks down, saying he would "set this house on fire" if she ever left again. As shocking as these lyrics were when the song was first released., they are fictional as far as the life of Eminem is concerned. However, according to Genius, the lyrics could be a reference to the 1984 movie The Burning Bed, which brought to life the true story of a woman who killed her husband by setting fire to their house and trapping him inside.
1 "Who Knew"
I'm sorry, there must be a mix-up
You want me to fix up lyrics
While our President gets his dick sucked?
No one is immune to Eminem's jabs, not even the President, or in this case, former President. In "Who Knew," Eminem makes a pointed reference to the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal. In 1995, word came out that the President at the time, Bill Clinton, had engaged in sexual acts with a White House intern in the Oval Office. The scandal was huge and led to an impeachment trial. Among the most shocking pieces of evidence: one of Lewinsky's dresses that had Clinton's dried semen on it.
