Eminem has always been known for his bold, sometimes shocking lyrics that often push boundaries. Whether you’re a fan of his or not, you’ve probably been caught by his thought-provoking, controversial verses at some point. Over the years, his songs have stirred debates, from his notorious offensive comments about various communities to his violent and misogynistic lines. Despite the backlash, Eminem—also known as Slim Shady—has never been afraid to speak his mind. Below are 15 of his most shocking verses.
1. “Criminal”
Eminem’s 2000 hit Criminal opens with a rebellious statement about his freedom to speak his mind:
“Cuz every time I write a rhyme, these people think it’s a crime to tell em what’s on my mind – I guess I’m a CRIMINAL.”
2. BET Cypher (2017)
During the BET Cypher, Eminem made waves with his diss aimed at then-President Donald Trump, touching on everything from racism to Trump’s lack of response to the Puerto Rico hurricane:
“From his endorsement of Bannon/support for the Klansmen/ tiki torches in hand…”
3. “Shady CXVPHER”
In this freestyle, Eminem hit hard with his references to domestic violence, specifically the Ray Rice elevator incident, drawing attention for its timing and shocking imagery:
“Bitch I’ll punch Lana Del Rey right in the face twice, like Ray Rice in broad daylight…”
4. “Kill You” (The Marshall Mathers LP)
Eminem didn’t hold back in this track, with violent and disturbing lines aimed at both women and society:
“Slut, you think I won’t choke no whore/’Til the vocal cords don’t work in her throat no more?!”
5. “Vegas” (Shady XV Compilation)
Eminem took aim at rapper Iggy Azalea in Vegas, with a line that many found distasteful and provocative:
“Put that shit away Iggy. You don’t wanna blow that rape whistle on me.”
6. “Love the Way You Lie” (Recovery)
This track, which also features Rihanna, presents a darker side of love, with Eminem confessing his abusive tendencies:
“If she ever tries to fuckin’ leave again, I’ma tie her to the bed and set this house on fire.”
7. “Roman’s Revenge” (Nicki Minaj’s Roman Reloaded)
On this track, Eminem’s verses take on a twisted tone, where his erratic imagery and violent language continue to shock:
“Twisted-ass mind, got a pretzel for a brain…”
8. “Rap God” (The Marshall Mathers LP 2)
In Rap God, Eminem controversially used a slur aimed at the LGBT community, which sparked outrage across many platforms:
“I’ll still be able to break a motherfuckin’ table/Over the back of a couple of faggots and crack it in half…”
9. “The Real Slim Shady” (Curtain Call)
In this track, Eminem takes aim at pop culture and celebrities in typical Slim Shady fashion:
“So you guys could just lie to get me here?/So you can sit me here next to Britney Spears…”
10. “Kim” (The Marshall Mathers LP)
This deeply unsettling track is a violent narrative where Eminem expresses his rage towards his ex-wife, Kim:
“Now shut the fuck up and get what’s comin to you/You were supposed to love me…”
11. “Criminal” (The Marshall Mathers LP)
In this song, Eminem takes jabs at multiple groups, including the LGBTQ+ community:
“My words are like a dagger with a jagged edge/That’ll stab you in the head whether you’re a fag or lez…”
12. “Who Knew” (The Marshall Mathers LP)
Eminem’s lyrics here attack various issues, from censorship to political figures:
“You want me to fix up lyrics while the President gets his dick sucked?/Fuck that, take drugs, rape sluts…”
13. “The Warning” (Mariah Carey Diss)
Eminem’s beef with Mariah Carey led to this intense diss track, featuring personal jabs and a controversial tone:
“You gonna ruin my career, you better get one/Like I’ma sit and fight with you over some slut…”
14. “Nail in the Coffin” (Benzino Diss)
In this diss track aimed at Benzino, Eminem doesn’t hold back, threatening physical violence and using graphic language:
“Gimme a one-on-one see if I don’t fuck you up/Tryin to jump the Ruff Ryders and they cut you up…”
15. “Hailie’s Revenge” (Ja Rule Diss)
In this response to Ja Rule’s disrespect of his daughter, Eminem delivered a fierce track with a raw, angry tone:
“Don’t you never say my little girl’s name in a song again!/I’ll choke the shit outchu…”
