Detroit rapper Eminem dropped a surprise album yesterday entitled Kamikaze, which shows the rapper take on various figures in the hip-hop industry from Drake all the way to Machiune Gun Kelly. Yet the rapper’s diss toward Tyler, The Creator has erupted in controversy, due to the rapper’s use of a homophobic slur on the track “Fall.”
Kamikaze’s album cover recalls the Beastie Boy’s 1986 debut License to Ill, which the rapper has named as one of his first hip hop influences. Dr. Dre served as the executive producer on the project, while artists such as Royce da 5’9 and Joyner Lucas hold featured credits. Additionally, Mike WiLL Made It and Boi-1da hold production credits.
“Fall,” features the lines “Tyler create nothin’, I see why you called yourself a f****t, 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.”
These lyrics are in reference to past Tyler The Creator lyrics where he called himself the word,m and the 2017 album Flower Boy, which many see as Tyler “coming out.” The album features statements that say he’s “been kissing white boys since 2004,” and other hints implying that he is also attracted to men.
Due to the nature of Tyler’s possible queer sexuality, and the usage of the slur in general (despite being bleeped out)this latest lyric has caused a furor online. Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, who contributed, but was not credited for a vocal performance on the track, took to social media to speak out against the slur. Vernon said that he was not in the room while Eminem was recording the track, and that he asked them to change it once he had heard the final version.
Tyler was the subject of this latest attack likely due to his criticism of Revival, particularly due to his comments on the track “Walk On Water.” In November of 2017 the rapper stated “dear god this song is horrible sheesh how the fuck,” on Twitter, regarding the song.
Despite this latest attack, both of the rappers used to have a mutual respect for each other. Tyler, and the rest of his Odd Future crew opened up for the rapper in 2014, and Tyler has stated that Eminem’s 2009 release Relapse was one of his favorite albums of all time.
Revival was also Eminem’s most critically panned album of all time, with many fans and critics calling it the worst release he’s ever made. Our own reviewer Kenan Draughorne concluded that “Eminem unfortunately does himself more harm than good on Revival. Too many lines fall roughly on the ears, and the halting flow is nearly impossible to attach yourself to.”
In addition to this latest release, Eminem has been making rounds on the festival circuit, playing his first headlining gig at Coachella earlier this year. The rapper also came under fire due to sound effects which resembled gun shots at the rapper’s headlining gig at Bonnaroo 2018.
Check out Kamikaze’s tracklist below:
1. “The Ringer”
2. “Greatest”
3. “Lucky You” (featuring Joyner Lucas)
4. “Paul” (Skit)
5. “Normal”
6. “Em Calls Paul” (Skit) Mathers Eminem 0:49
7. “Stepping Stone”
8. “Not Alike” (featuring Royce da 5’9)
9. “Fall”
10. “Kamikaze”
11. “Nice Guy” (featuring Jessie Reyez)
12. “Good Guy” (featuring Jessie Reyez)
13. “Venom” (Music from the Motion Picture)
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