The Death of Slim Shady Scorecard: Every Name Eminem Dropped (and Maybe Dissed)

Eminem, the master of controversy and wordplay, has done it again. His latest track, “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce),” is a lyrical tornado that sweeps up a dizzying array of celebrities, historical figures, and personal connections. This isn’t just a song; it’s a cultural scavenger hunt set to a beat.

Eminem’s diss tracks have always been a big deal in hip-hop. They’re like verbal boxing matches where he takes swings at, well, pretty much everyone – including himself. This new track takes that to a whole new level. It’s not just a diss track; it’s a who’s who of modern culture, all crammed into one song.

Let’s break down this lyrical labyrinth and see who’s who in Eminem’s latest verbal sparring session.

Musicians and Entertainers

Eminem casts a wide net in the music world, name-dropping artists from various genres and eras:

1. Kendrick Lamar: Often cited as the best of his generation, his mentioning could be Eminem’s nod to the next guard of hip hop.
2. Playboi Carti’s Unique Style: Carti demonstrates a unique style, which very much contrasts with Eminem’s more traditional method of rapping.
3. Kanye West: He’s yet another contentious figure himself, if anything. His presence speaks to the very complicated relationship within a rap community—deserving, all the same.
4. Nicki Minaj: Is one of the most successful female rappers and she equates to the change in the hip-hop scene.
5. Lil Wayne: With his career spanning so long, this could be a reference to his longevity in the rap game.
6. Megan Thee Stallion: Her inclusion stands as a mark of this year’s new wave female rappers who are making a mark with force in the industry.
7. 2Pac (Tupac Shakur): He is a legend of the game, and mentioning him connects this track to the history of hip-hop.
8. P. Diddy: Another ko of industry powerhouse, the remark here on Diddy would be one on the business aspect of music.
9. André 3000: Known for Doing creative things in style, this might have been the answer from Eminem toward some creative touch.
10. MGK (Machine Gun Kelly): Given their past beef, this mention is likely a continuation of their feud.
11. Biggie Smalls: One more homage toward hip-hop history and legacy.
12. R. Kelly: With his legal troubles, I am assuming this reference touches on music-industry controversy.
13. Kid Cudi: Know for a uniquely individual sound, this mention from Cudi could be Eminem’s way of clumsily acknowledging some style differences within hip-hop.
14. DaBaby: A relatively new star, mentioning his name proves that Eminem has his ears to the streets.
15. Nas: Another legend in the game, Nas’ inclusion links the track to hip-hop’s roots.
16. SZA: These very specific mentions point to the juncture between R&B and hip-hop.
17. DJ Paul: Recognitio of Southern hip-hop and the contributions the sounds of the genre make.
18. Dr. Dre: This is more or less obligatory; Eminem’s mentor and one of his most longstanding collaborators.
19. Nick Cannon: Given their past feuds, this mention is likely another jab.
20. Prince: As an icon across genres, his mention is part of the wide range of references in the track.
21. Black Eyed Peas: mention pop-rap crossovers.
22. Big Sean: Another Detroit rapper, referencing by Sean could be a hometown shout out.
23. Ja Rule: This could be a callback beef there, seeing as Eminem would be in 50 Cent’s corner.
24. Canibus: Though known for his intricate rhymes, it seems this could be Eminem’s way of acknowledging the other wordsmiths out there.
25. Jadakiss: Nod to lyricism in hip-hop.
26. Lizzo: Representation for body positivity and women’s empowerment in music.
27. GZA: By being a member of Wu-Tang Clan, he is yet another nod to hip-hop legends.
28. Marilyn Manson: To mention this is truly across genres, showing how wide Eminem’s musical awareness really is.
29. BabyTron: An up-and-comer, this shows Eminem aware of the new school.
30. Joyner Lucas: With his skill for storytelling, this was perhaps the nod, from Eminem, towards narrative rap.
31. Redman: This might be Eminem—marquee for his humor—winking toward some of rap’s lighter sides.
32. Big Daddy Kane: Another respect toward Hip-Hop’s roots and history.
33. Jelly Roll: This name drop makes clear that Eminem is, in fact, aware of country-rap crossovers.
34. SKYLAR GREY: Frequent collaborator, paying homage to Eminem’s music.

Entertainers from Other Fields

Eminem doesn’t stop at musicians. He pulls in entertainers from various fields:

1. Kim Kardashian: Reality TV star and entrepreneur, her mention taps into celebrity culture.
2. Dave Chappelle: The comedian’s inclusion could be a nod to controversial humor.
3. Christopher Reeve: The late actor’s mention could be a reference to overcoming adversity.
4. Will Smith: Actor and rapper, Smith’s mention bridges Hollywood and hip-hop.
5. Pete Davidson: The comedian’s high-profile relationships make him a pop culture reference point.
6. Kurt Cobain: The Nirvana frontman’s mention crosses genres and generations.
7. Colin Kaepernick: The former NFL player’s activism makes him a potent cultural reference.
8. Shakira: The international pop star’s mention gives the track a global flavor.
9. Jada Pinkett Smith: Her mention, along with Will Smith’s, could reference recent controversies.
10. Ben Affleck: The actor’s mention adds to the Hollywood references.
11. Tobey Maguire: Another actor mention, possibly referencing pop culture franchises.
12. RuPaul: The drag queen’s mention taps into LGBTQ+ culture.
13. Mike Tyson: The boxer’s mention adds sports and controversy to the mix.
14. Johnny Manziel: The former NFL player’s troubles make him a reference to fallen stars.
15. Seth Green: The actor’s mention adds to the pop culture references.
16. Scott Van Pelt: The ESPN host’s mention brings in sports media.

Historical and Public Figures

Eminem goes beyond entertainment, bringing in controversial and historical figures:

1. Caitlyn Jenner: Her mention touches on transgender issues and celebrity culture.
2. Jeffrey Epstein: This name adds a dark edge, commenting on power and scandal.
3. Kim Jong Un: The North Korean leader’s mention brings in global politics.
4. Amber Heard: Her mention likely references her high-profile legal battles.
5. Kyle Rittenhouse: His mention touches on recent controversial events.
6. Casey Anthony: Another controversial figure, adding to the track’s edgy references.
7. Jimmy Carter: The former president’s mention adds a historical and political dimension.
8. David Carradine: The late actor’s mention could be a reference to scandal and tragedy.
9. Harry Houdini: The magician’s mention could symbolize escaping from difficult situations.
10. Mark Twain: The author’s mention adds a literary touch to the track.
11. Nikolas Cruz: This mention touches on the issue of gun violence.
12. Paul Rosenberg: Eminem’s manager, this mention is a nod to the business side of music.
13. Jimmy Iovine: The music producer’s mention is another industry insider reference.
14. Dr. Jack Kevorkian: His mention touches on the controversial issue of assisted suicide.
15. Halyna Hutchins: The cinematographer’s tragic death makes this a current events reference.
16. Jayland Walker: His mention touches on issues of police violence and racial justice.
17. Aaron Hall: The R&B singer’s mention adds to the musical references.
18. Steady B: This rapper’s mention is a nod to hip-hop history.
19. Cool C: Another rapper mention, adding to the track’s hip-hop cred.
20. Intelligent Hoodlum (Tragedy Khadafi): This mention showcases Eminem’s deep hip-hop knowledge.
21. Keefe D: His mention connects to unsolved mysteries in hip-hop history.

Fictional Characters

Eminem doesn’t forget about the power of fiction:

1. Slim Shady: Eminem’s alter ego, central to the track’s theme.
2. Travis Bickle: The “Taxi Driver” character adds a cinematic and psychological element.

Family Members

Eminem gets personal, mentioning several family members:

1. Hailie Jade Mathers: Eminem’s daughter, a recurring theme in his music.
2. Stevie Laine Mathers: Eminem’s adopted child, showing his personal side.
3. Alaina Marie Mathers: Another adopted daughter, further humanizing the rapper.
4. Nathan Mathers: Eminem’s brother, adding to the family dynamic.
5. Deborah Mathers: Eminem’s mother, often a complex figure in his lyrics.

This references isn’t just a list of names; it’s a cultural snapshot. By referencing everyone from rap legends to controversial public figures, Eminem creates a complex tapestry of modern society. He touches on issues like celebrity culture, political controversies, and the evolution of hip-hop. It’s like he’s holding up a mirror to our world, showing us what we’re obsessed with, what we’re arguing about, and what we’re listening to.

Each mention is a potential conversation starter. When he name-drops Kendrick Lamar or André 3000, he’s commenting on hip-hop’s past and present. When he brings up figures like Jeffrey Epstein or Kim Jong Un, he’s dipping into darker, more controversial waters. It’s a balancing act between entertainment and social commentary.

As you’d expect, this track has got people talking. Fans are like detectives, trying to catch every reference and figure out what it all means. Music critics are having a field day, analyzing how this fits into Eminem’s career and hip-hop as a whole. Of course, some of the more controversial mentions have stirred up debate on social media. But then again, getting people fired up is kind of Eminem’s thing, isn’t it?

What Eminem’s done here is pretty wild. He’s basically taken a cultural encyclopedia and turned it into a rap song. It’s like he’s playing six degrees of separation, but with the entire world. The skill it takes to weave all these references together into something that actually flows as a song is pretty impressive.

These rich references show why Eminem has stayed relevant for so long. He’s got one foot in old school hip-hop and one in today’s pop culture. He can reference Biggie and BabyTron in the same breath. It’s this blend of hip-hop history, current events, and personal storytelling that makes his music stand out.