Eminem has always been known for his sharp tongue and fearless approach to rap battles. From the early days of his career, he’s never been afraid to call people out, whether they’re fellow artists, celebrities, or even his own family. With the release of his latest single Houdini, fans are once again talking about his ability to throw brutal lyrical punches.
While Houdini takes shots at multiple people, it’s nothing compared to some of the scathing disses Eminem has delivered in the past. Let’s take a look at five of his most brutal takedowns.
1. Machine Gun Kelly – ‘Killshot’ (2018)
The feud between Eminem and Machine Gun Kelly started when MGK made a controversial comment about Eminem’s daughter. Things escalated when MGK released Rap Devil, a direct diss aimed at Em.
Eminem responded with Killshot, where he absolutely dismantled MGK, calling him a “tatted-up mumble rapper” and mocking his career. He even threw in a sarcastic Stan reference:
“Realized I forgot to call you back / Here’s that autograph for your daughter, I wrote it on a starter cap.”
The track was so damaging that MGK eventually shifted away from rap and into pop-punk music.
2. Will Smith – ‘The Real Slim Shady’ (2000)
Eminem’s jab at Will Smith became one of the most memorable lines from The Real Slim Shady:
“Will Smith don’t gotta cuss in his raps to sell records / Well, I do, so fk him and fk you too!”
The line was a response to Will Smith’s clean-cut rap style and a comment he allegedly made about Eminem’s music. Though it wasn’t a full-on feud, Em made sure the world knew he wasn’t afraid to call out even Hollywood’s biggest names.
3. Mariah Carey – ‘The Warning’ (2009)
Eminem has long claimed that he and Mariah Carey had a romantic history, something Carey has repeatedly denied. After she mocked him in her song Obsessed, Em hit back with The Warning—and it was brutal.
He claimed to have personal recordings of their interactions and painted an unflattering picture of her:
“I got enough dirt on you to murder you.”
The feud continued for years, with both sides throwing jabs at each other in music and interviews.
4. Nick Cannon – Multiple Songs
Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey’s ex-husband, jumped into the feud to defend her, but that didn’t end well for him. After Cannon made public threats against Em, the rapper responded in multiple songs, including Cold Wind Blows:
“You went and pissed me off, now I’m sitting and pissing on everybody.”
Eminem later reignited the beef in Lord Above (2019), where he mocked Cannon for being “whipped” by Mariah.
5. His Own Mother – ‘Cleaning Out My Closet’ (2002)
Perhaps the most personal diss track Eminem ever released was aimed at his own mother, Debbie Mathers. In Cleaning Out My Closet, he accused her of neglect and drug abuse:
“Put yourself in my position / Just try to envision witnessing your Mama popping prescription pills in the kitchen.”
He later regretted the song, expressing his remorse in Headlights (2014), where he apologized and admitted he no longer performs Cleaning Out My Closet at shows.
Final Thoughts
Eminem has built a career on his ability to destroy opponents with words. Whether it’s a fellow rapper, a pop star, or even a family member, he has never held back. While his latest track Houdini has sparked new controversy, it’s just another chapter in a long history of lyrical warfare.
One thing’s for sure—when Eminem goes after someone, he doesn’t miss.
