The long-standing feud between rappers Benzino and Eminem has resurfaced once again, as both artists released new songs targeting each other. The diss tracks, titled Doomsday Pt 2 and Vulturius, have sparked reactions from fans and critics alike. What is the history behind this rap rivalry, and what are the latest developments? Here is a summary of the Benzino vs Eminem saga.
Benzino vs Eminem: The Origin of the Beef
The beef between Benzino and Eminem dates back to the early 2000s, when Benzino was the co-owner and editor of The Source, a prominent hip-hop magazine. Benzino accused Eminem of being a “culture vulture” who exploited the rap genre for his own benefit, while being disrespectful to black artists and women. He also claimed that Eminem received favorable reviews from the media because of his skin color, and that he was not a true representative of hip-hop culture.
Benzino expressed his views through several diss songs, such as Pull Your Skirt Up, Die Another Day, and Nail in the Coffin. He also leaked a tape of Eminem using racial slurs in a freestyle when he was a teenager. Eminem responded with his own diss tracks, such as The Sauce, Nail in the Coffin, and The Warning. He mocked Benzino’s appearance, his rap skills, his sales, and his relevance in the industry. He also defended his credentials as a rapper, and accused Benzino of being jealous and bitter.
The feud escalated to the point where The Source launched a campaign to discredit Eminem, and Eminem sued the magazine for defamation. The legal battle ended in 2005, when The Source filed for bankruptcy and Benzino left the company. The rap beef seemed to die down after that, until it was reignited in 2024.
The Resurgence of the Beef
In January 2024, Eminem released a surprise album called Music to Be Murdered By: Side B, which included a song called Doomsday Pt 2. The song was a sequel to Doomsday, a diss track that Eminem released in 2018, targeting several rappers, including Benzino. In Doomsday Pt 2, Eminem continued to diss Benzino, calling him a “has-been” and a “clown”. He also made fun of his daughter, Coi Leray, who is also a rapper, and his appearance on the podcast Drink Champs, where he discussed his beef with Eminem.
Benzino did not take long to respond, as he released his own diss track, called Vulturius, a few days later. The song was based on Jay-Z’s Where I’m From beat, and featured Benzino firing back at Eminem, calling him a “candy-ass”, a “bitch-ass feminine”, and a “vulture of this culture”. He also rapped about Eminem’s drug problems, his lack of relationships with women, and his disrespect for other artists, such as Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, and Michael Jackson. He also mentioned the death of Eminem’s friend and fellow rapper, Proof, who was shot in 2006, implying that Eminem did not do enough to help him.
The diss tracks have generated a lot of buzz on social media, with fans and celebrities weighing in on the rap battle. Some have praised Eminem for his lyrical prowess and his dominance in the rap game, while others have sided with Benzino for his courage and his defense of hip-hop culture. Some have also criticized both rappers for being immature and petty, and for reviving an old and irrelevant beef.
The Future of the Beef
It is unclear whether Benzino and Eminem will continue to exchange diss tracks, or whether they will eventually bury the hatchet and move on. Both rappers have had other feuds in the past, such as with Ja Rule, MGK, and Nick Cannon, but none of them have lasted as long as the one with each other. Some fans have suggested that Benzino and Eminem should settle their differences in a rap battle, or even a boxing match, while others have hoped that they will collaborate on a song and end the beef once and for all.
Whatever the outcome, the Benzino vs Eminem feud has been one of the most notorious and enduring rap rivalries of all time, and has produced some of the most memorable diss tracks in hip-hop history. Whether you love them or hate them, you cannot deny that Benzino and Eminem have made an impact on the rap genre, and have kept the fans entertained and engaged for over two decades.