Eminem often causes controversy with his sharp lyrics and diss tracks. He has had many rivalries throughout his career, targeting pop stars and politicians. One of his longest and most bitter feuds is with Benzino, a rapper and former co-owner of The Source magazine. They have traded insults and threats for over twenty years, making it one of the most famous hip-hop feuds ever.
In his latest release, “Doomsday Pt. 2,” Eminem reignites the fire with a scathing verse aimed at Benzino and his daughter, Coi Leray, who is also a rising rap star. Eminem’s new track is a sequel to his 2003 song “Doomsday.” The original song started the Eminem-Benzino war.
The line that sparked the controversy reads:
“Well, I guess then I regret to inform you, hate to spoil the day (What?)/
But this doesn’t bring me no joy to say (Huh?)/
Guess that Coi Leray feat’s in the toilet, aye? (Goddamn).”
This is a clever play on words, as Coi Leray’s name sounds like “coiler,” which is slang for a toilet. Eminem also uses the word “feat” to mean both “feature” and “feat,” suggesting that having Coi Leray on the track was both a collaboration and an accomplishment. However, he now dismisses it as a waste of time and talent, throwing shade at both Coi Leray and Benzino.
Eminem doesn’t directly diss Coi Leray. But his mention of her affects her involvement in the track and her relationship with her father. Coi Leray, who rose to fame in the late 2010s with her viral hit “Pooh,” is known for her energetic hip-hop style and outspoken personality. She has been vocal about her struggles with her father, who she claims was absent from her life and did not support her music career. She has also faced criticism from some fans and peers for her appearance and performance, which she has addressed with confidence and humor.
By bringing up Coi Leray in his verse, Eminem exposes the complex and tense dynamics between the three artists. He implies that he was trying to help Coi Leray by giving her a platform and a co-sign, but that he now regrets it because of her association with Benzino. He also suggests that he has more respect and influence in the hip-hop community than Benzino, who he portrays as a bitter and irrelevant figure. He also hints at the possibility of a future diss track aimed at Coi Leray, who he may see as an extension of Benzino’s legacy.
The Eminem-Benzino feud dates back to the early 2000s, when Benzino, who was then the co-owner and chief brand executive of The Source, began to criticize Eminem and his label, Shady Records, in his magazine and on his radio show. He accused Eminem of being a culture vulture, a racist, and a fraud, and claimed that he was using his white privilege to dominate the rap industry. He also released several diss tracks aimed at Eminem, such as “Pull Your Skirt Up” and “Die Another Day.”
Eminem responded to Benzino with his own diss tracks. He released songs like “The Sauce,” “Nail in the Coffin,” and “Doomsday.” In these songs, Eminem talked about Benzino’s shady business practices, low album sales, and lack of credibility. Eminem also made fun of Benzino’s appearance, age, and rap skills. He accused Benzino of being jealous and obsessed with him. Eminem even got his Shady Records roster, which includes 50 Cent, Obie Trice, and D12, to join him in the attack. As a result, both sides released a bunch of diss tracks.
In 2003, The Source magazine published a story called “Benzino Exposes Eminem.” The story featured a CD with some of Eminem’s old recordings. In these recordings, Eminem used racial slurs and said derogatory things about black women. The magazine said these recordings proved that Eminem was a racist and a hypocrite. They called for people to stop listening to his music. But this plan didn’t work. Many people in the hip-hop community, like Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, and Nas, defended Eminem. They criticized The Source’s tactics. Eminem also said sorry for the recordings. He explained that he made them as a teenager when he was angry at his ex-girlfriend, who was black.
The feud eventually died down in 2005, when Benzino and his partner, Dave Mays, were forced out of The Source by its investors, following a series of lawsuits, financial troubles, and declining sales. Eminem and Benzino also announced that they had ended their beef and moved on. However, the animosity between them never completely faded, as Eminem occasionally took shots at Benzino in his subsequent albums, such as “Relapse” and “Kamikaze.” Benzino also continued to criticize Eminem and his fans on social media and in interviews, calling him a “clown” and a “parasite.”
The Eminem-Benzino feud is still going on, and now Coi Leray may be involved. Eminem’s song “Doomsday Pt. 2” showcases his talent for writing powerful lyrics and stirring up controversy. The song has caused a lot of excitement in the hip-hop community. It also shows how complex and intertwined the relationships are in the rap industry. Feuds and rivalries are not just about artistic expression, but also about power, identity, and history.
