Eminem is facing backlash over a lyric in his new song, “Houdini,” in which he references the infamous July 2020 shooting involving Meghan Thee Stallion and Tory Lanez.
The rap superstar spits in his latest track, which dropped Friday, “If I was to ask for Megan Thee / Stallion if she would collab with me / Would I really have a shot at a feat? / I don’t know but I’m glad to be.”
“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?” one critic wrote in response via X Friday. “Folks are too comfortable disrespecting Black women.”
Another chimed in, “You ain’t dropped an album in 20 years the people not checking for you any longer but hey mention Megan’s assault and get the people talking @Eminem you will crumble.”
Music journalist Sowmya Krishnamurthy slammed Eminem as “out of touch,” adding via X, “Eminem’s career has largely been built on being shocking and provocative to certain audiences … Being 51 years old and taking shots at Megan Thee Stallion?”
“Houdini” is Eminem’s first single off his forthcoming studio album, “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).”
Some have backed the “8 Mile” star, however, noting he has always called out other artists in his music.
“If you’re offended by the Megan thee Stallion line in Eminem’s #Houdini, you clearly don’t understand/know who Slim Shady is – the whole purpose is that he makes fun of everybody,” one person wrote via X Friday in the rapper’s defense. “It ain’t that deep and it’s a good line. This isn’t a diss.”
Another pointed out that perhaps Eminem took a shot at Megan, 29, because she referenced Mariah Carey’s diss track about the “Without Me” rapper — “Obsessed” — in her 2024 song “Hiss.”
Megan raps on the track, “I feel like Mariah Carey / Got these n–s so obsessed.”
“Megan thee stallion used lyrics from a song shot at EM, but Em made a bar with her issue of being shot on the leg and yall going wild saying Eminem is always going at people,” the social media user wrote.
“yall should stfu. yall were hyping Megan wen she made that ass bar. Eminem sees everything😂😭 #HOUDINI.”
A spokesperson for Megan declined to comment. Eminem’s rep did not return Page Six’s request.
The “Mockingbird” rapper is not the first male entertainer to seemingly make light of Megan’s shooting.
Eminem’s pal and longtime collaborator, 50 Cent, trolled the “Savage” rapper when he first learned she got shot in her foot — and then later apologized.
“Damn I didn’t think this s—t was real,” the “In Da Club” rapper, 48, said in July 2020.
“It sounded so crazy @theestallion i’m glad your feeling better and i hope you can accept my apology. [sic] I posted a meme that was floating around. I wouldn’t have done that if i knew you was really hurt sorry.”
In November 2022, Drake cast doubt on Megan’s version of events, rapping on “Circo Loco,” “This bitch lie ’bout getting shots, but she still a stallion.”
The line caught the “WAP” rapper’s attention, prompting her to respond, “Stop using my shooting for clout bitch ass N—as!
“Since when tf is it cool to joke abt [sic] women getting shot ! You n—as especially RAP N—AS ARE LAME!”
Megan added at the time, “Ready to boycott bout shoes and clothes but dog pile on a black woman when she say one of y’all homeboys abused her.”
In December 2022, Lanez, 31, was found guilty one felony count each of assault with a semi-automatic firearm and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle for the Megan’s shooting incident.
He was also convicted of an additional felony count of discharging a firearm with gross negligence.
The “Luv” singer was then sentenced to 10 years behind bars, which he is currently serving at North Kern State Prison in Delano, Calif.
