Eminem is drawing criticism for his recent lyrical content about Megan Thee Stallion in his new track, “Houdini.” The track marks the beginning of his 12th studio album rollout, “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).”
Released on Friday, May 31, the song quickly garnered attention for its first verse where Eminem mentions Megan Thee Stallion and alludes to her 2020 shooting incident involving Tory Lanez.
In the lyrics, Eminem raps, “If I was to ask for Megan Thee Stallion if she would collab with me/Would I really have a shot at a feat?” The line has incited a wave of backlash from Megan Thee Stallion’s fans, who accuse the rapper of trivializing the serious event.
The single “Houdini,” named after the famed escape artist Harry Houdini, incorporates a sample from Steve Miller Band’s 1982 hit “Abracadabra.” The release also featured a promotional campaign involving a peculiar FaceTime conversation between Eminem and legendary magician David Blaine, discussing the illusion of making Eminem’s career ‘disappear.’ The campaign concluded dramatically with Blaine chewing on a wine glass, leaving viewers both shocked and intrigued.
As Eminem continues to promote “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce),” his approach remains as controversial and headline-grabbing as ever. He blends the worlds of music and magic to tease his upcoming project.