The hip-hop universe is ablaze once again as Benzino drops his scorching diss track, “Rap Elvis,” reigniting the long-standing feud with Eminem. Released on January 31, 2024, the track doesn’t pull punches, directly confronting Eminem on various fronts, including past beefs and alleged cultural appropriation.
Benzino’s lyrical assault delves into Eminem’s feuds with fellow artists, notably Machine Gun Kelly, and daringly draws parallels to controversial rap figure Vanilla Ice. The diss track takes a critical stance on Eminem’s role as the head of Shady Records, accusing him of mismanagement.
The lyrics also touch upon the current state of the rap scene, with Benzino cleverly stating, “You keep saying my name, you put yourself in this position/ This what happens when the Celtics play the Pistons.” Another line addresses Eminem’s recent silence, claiming, “I was minding my business, you weren’t making any type of noise these days/ So a choice was made, clout chase Benzino and Coi Leray.”
Benzino adds fuel to the fire by issuing a 48-hour challenge to Eminem, a move synonymous with rap battles. This strategic move puts pressure on Eminem to respond swiftly, testing his ability to craft a counter-diss track under tight deadlines. As of now, there’s no indication that Eminem has met this challenge.
Public reactions to “Rap Elvis” are varied. Some applaud the boldness of Benzino’s accusations and the lyrical content, while others criticize the accuracy of the claims made in the song. The diss track has become a focal point on social media platforms, with fans and critics engaging in heated discussions about the feud and the implications for the rap industry.
The roots of the Eminem-Benzino feud trace back to the early 2000s when The Source magazine, co-owned by Benzino, gave Eminem’s album “The Eminem Show” a less-than-ideal rating. This disagreement escalated into a full-blown feud, marked by diss tracks exchanged between the two artists.
As the hip-hop community eagerly awaits Eminem’s response, “Rap Elvis” continues to reverberate through the industry. The diss track has not only reignited a decades-long feud but has also sparked conversations about the current landscape of rap beefs and diss tracks. Whether Eminem responds within the 48-hour deadline or not, one thing is undeniable – “Rap Elvis” has left an indelible mark on the rap scene.
