Slim Shady is back with his own ‘sister album’: ‘Music to Be Murdered By — Side B’. The rapper released the 16 track album last week in a surprise drop, introducing the extension to his 11th studio album (‘Music to Be Murdered By’) via Instagram. This is his third surprise drop, having introduced both ‘Music To Be Murdered By’ and ‘Kamikaze’ in a similar way. Produced by the 48-year-old alongside longtime collaborator Dr. Dre, the album also features DJ Premier, Ty Dolla $ign and Sly Pyper. However, since its drop, fans have been talking about the multiple A-list names and past feuds that the rapper makes reference to.
One such example is the mention of Billie Eilish in the track ‘Alfred’s Theme’. Within the song, Slim Shady raps:
“But really I’m just fulfilling my wish of killing rhymes / Which is really childish and silly, but I’m really like this / I’m giving nightmares to Billie Eilish.”
This line is in reference to an interview Billie Eilish did back in 2019 with Noisey, where she said that she’s “terrified” of Eminem, saying she’d been “scared of Eminem [her] whole life”. However, the surprising name drops don’t stop there. Along with calling out both Mariah Carey and Snoop Dogg, Eminem also references to the controversial leaked snippet that was seen as a huge insult to longtime collaborator and friend, Rihanna.
The leaked snipped, posted on Reddit, was only 7-seconds long but landed the rapper in hot water. From an unreleased track (titled ‘Things Get Worse’) that was meant for his 2010 album ‘Relapse’, the line referenced Rihanna’s ex, Chris Brown. The Rap God spat:
“Of course I side with Chris Brown, I’d beat a b**** down too.”
The leaked line appears to have been tracked shortly after Chris Brown physically attacked Rihanna in 2009. The then-couple were involved in an altercation while on their way to the Grammys that year. Brown was later found guilty of felony assault. He was sentenced to five years of probation, one year of domestic violence counselling and six months of community service.
After the snippet was leaked, Eminem’s publicist released a statement address the matter:
“This is a leak of something that’s over 10 years old. After Eminem recorded it, he scrapped it, and rewrote it. Obviously he and Rihanna have a great relationship.”
It seems like Eminem’s conscience took a hit after the snippet resurfaced as at around the 35-second mark of ‘Zeus’, he is heard rapping:
“But, me, long as I re-promise to be honest / And wholeheartedly, apologies, Rihanna,
For that song that leaked, I’m sorry, Ri / It wasn’t meant to cause you grief. Regardless, it was wrong of me.”
The 32-year-old Barbadian singer, actress and entrepreneur has yet to comment on or make reference to the song yet.
The duo have a long history, having collaborated on the mega-hit ‘Love The Way You Lie’ back in 2010, and have even participated in a social movement together. Back in 2014, the duo participated in the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ after having been called out by Dr Dre to participate to help raise awareness for ALS (a motor neuron disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Because the pair were in Eminem’s home town at the time, he asked for her to dump the bucket of ice on him and she agreed. They have also collaborated on ‘Numb’ and ‘Monster’, both tracks rising quickly up the charts upon their release.
*Cover image credits: Instagram / @eminem / @badgalriri