Eminem is no stranger to controversy, and his latest single Houdini is proving that once again. A particular lyric referencing Megan Thee Stallion has divided fans, with some calling it offensive and others defending it as part of his Slim Shady persona.
The Controversial Lyric
Early in the track, Eminem raps:
“If I was to ask Megan Thee Stallion if she would collab with me, would I really have a shot at a feat?”
The line references the 2020 incident in which Tory Lanez shot Megan in the foot. Lanez was later found guilty in 2022 and sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2023.
While Megan has not yet responded, she has previously criticized rappers who bring up the shooting for “clout.” When Drake referenced the incident in his 2022 song Circo Loco, Megan took to social media, saying, “Since when tf is it cool to joke about women getting shot?”
Eminem’s Slim Shady Persona
Some fans argue that the lyric shouldn’t be taken literally, as Eminem has stepped back into his alter ego, Slim Shady. This character, known for being provocative and offensive, made a return in Houdini, as shown in the music video where he steps through a portal into the modern world.
Throughout his career, Eminem has name-dropped celebrities in his music to shock and entertain. In Houdini, he doesn’t just mention Megan Thee Stallion—he also references R. Kelly, Dr. Dre, RuPaul, and even his own kids, rapping, “F** my own kids, they’re brats.”*
Fan Reactions and What’s Next
Reactions to the lyric are mixed. Some listeners believe it crosses the line, especially given Megan’s past comments about artists using her trauma for attention. Others see it as Eminem staying true to his raw, unfiltered style that made Slim Shady famous.
Eminem’s upcoming album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), is expected to drop this summer, though no official release date has been announced yet.
As the conversation around Houdini continues, fans are waiting to see if Megan Thee Stallion will respond. Until then, the debate over whether Eminem went too far—or is just playing his character—remains open.
