Eminem Sparks Controversy with Megan Thee Stallion Lyric in New Song ‘Houdini’. Eminem has ignited a firestorm of debate with his latest track, “Houdini,” where a line referencing Megan Thee Stallion’s 2020 shooting by Tory Lanez has divided fans and critics alike. The contentious lyric, which appears in the song’s first verse, has been interpreted by some as a diss towards Megan, while others defend it as characteristic of Eminem’s alter-ego, Slim Shady.
In “Houdini,” Eminem raps:
“If I was to ask for Megan Thee Stallion if she would collab with me, would I really have a shot at a feat?”
This line is widely seen as a nod to the incident where Tory Lanez shot Megan Thee Stallion in the foot, for which Lanez was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The lyric’s reception has been polarizing, with some listeners perceiving it as a low blow, while die-hard fans argue it’s typical of Eminem’s provocative style.
The lyric has drawn criticism on social media, with one post on X (formerly Twitter) stating, “What exactly did this girl do to deserve this type of harassment by male rappers constantly? I mean genuinely what did she do?” The post garnered over 100,000 likes. Music publications have also weighed in, with Stereogum calling the song “terrible” and the lyrics “cluttered and unpleasant.” The New York Times described Eminem as “desperate to offend at every turn” and criticized his “stiltedly rapped jokes.” Music journalist Sowmya Krishnamurthy tweeted, “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? Out of touch.”
Conversely, some fans on social media defended Eminem, noting that he was rapping in character as Slim Shady, known for his aggressive and controversial style. One user posted, “Anyone who listens to hip hop already knows this ain’t a diss from Eminem, he’s known for taking funny jabs in bars at anyone.” USA Today acknowledged the lyric was “mean,” but also called it “clever,” emphasizing that Eminem is “famous for cutting down peers in his songs.”
This incident is not the first time Megan Thee Stallion has been at the center of controversy in the hip-hop community. In 2022, Drake rapped in “Circo Loco” that “this b— lie ‘bout getting shots, but she still a stallion,” which many took as a suggestion that Megan fabricated the shooting incident. Megan responded on social media, criticizing rappers for joking about her trauma and seeking clout.
Megan released her own diss track, “HISS,” in January, targeting Drake, Nicki Minaj, and others who mentioned her name for attention. Minaj responded with “Big Foot,” where she implied Megan lied about the shooting. The feud highlights the persistent issue of male rappers using Megan Thee Stallion’s shooting as a subject for their lyrics, often leading to significant backlash and debate within the music community.
Diss tracks have played a notable role in rap this year, generating significant attention and chart success. Megan’s “HISS” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and feuds such as the one between Kendrick Lamar and Drake have dominated the charts and social media. Their series of diss tracks saw both rappers making serious accusations and achieving high rankings on Spotify and the Billboard charts.
Eminem’s “Houdini” has once again put him in the spotlight for his controversial and provocative style. The debate over his lyric about Megan Thee Stallion underscores the ongoing tensions and issues of respect and sensitivity within the hip-hop community. Whether viewed as a diss or a characteristic Slim Shady jab, the song has undoubtedly sparked significant conversation and controversy.
