The 2017 BET Hip Hop Awards aired on Tuesday night (October 10) and following Eminem’s monster freestyle, social media blew up with colorful opinions on Em’s verbal crucifixion of Donald Trump. While many applauded Slim Shady for his ability to crush his opponent (in this case, #45), there were some who scoffed at his performance, claiming he took the easy route and simply regurgitated what black MCs have been saying for years. (For example, YG and Nipsey Hussle’s 2016 anthem “Fuck Donald Trump.”)
Yes, that’s partly true, but Em’s freestyle was still a major win for Hip Hop and more importantly, for America.
Here’s why — for one, it got a white guy like Keith Olbermann to shut up and listen for a second. Prior to Em’s freestyle, Olbermann — author of Trump Is F*cking Crazy (This Is Not A Joke) — admitted he had his doubts about rap.
On Tuesday night, Olbermann wrote via Twitter, “After 27 years of doubts about rap I am now an @Eminem fan. Best political writing of the year, period.”
And while it’s disappointing that it took a white MC to make someone like Olbermann wake up, at least he’s finally listening.
From bars about Colin Kaepernick’s National Anthem protest and Trump on the verge of causing a “nuclear holocaust” to racial injustice and gun reform, Em spit with such conviction on a variety of hot button issues, that it clearly caught everyone’s attention, including so-called “liberal” white Americans who lack an understanding of the very topics Em was dissecting during the nearly five-minute freestyle.
Two, Eminem’s reach is massive. Over 2.1 million people have already tweeted about his BET appearance. The fact he used his platform to speak out about the issues currently plaguing our country is commendable on its own. Much of popular mainstream rap right now isn’t saying anything of substance, including some of the artists picking up awards at the BET Hip Hop Awards ceremony. Unfortunately, their platforms are exponentially bigger than the underground “conscious” rap that could be capable of sparking a conversation if enough people were interested in listening to it.
The “Cash Me Ousside” teen has a Billboard Hot 100 song right now. Let that sink in. I’ll listen to Em spit bars like that all day long if it means putting the focus back on music with grit and meaning instead of a lot of the vacuous garbage floating around right now.
Like DJ Scratch wrote on Facebook (and A Tribe Called Quest’s Jarobi White shared), “[Em] made every rapper at the awards except Mysonne look crazy because this generation of rappers don’t give a fuck about social issues. Meanwhile they are the ones being directly affected by it.
“And yes, plenty of MC’s BEEN saying what Eminem said, but there’s a huge difference between YouTube & Television,” he continued. “The reach to youth is a bigger. So instead of a few people being mad about Eminem speaking up for our plight, be angry at the 100 popular rappers that were there that didn’t, haven’t & won’t say shit on behalf of our plight. I applaud him.”
Em’s freestyle also came with further approval of Hip Hop pillars like Sean “Diddy” Combs, Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Snoop Dogg, a testament to the undeniable impact Em has had on the culture since finding commercial success with 1999’s The Slim Shady EP.
You can complain all you want that it was a white MC who set off a rampant firestorm of dialogue about the “orange” joke sitting in the Oval Office, but he had an ideal platform and used it correctly. Not only that, but THIS IS WHAT HIP HOP IS ABOUT. Since its inception, it’s been a voice for the voiceless and a way to speak up for the oppressed.
Bottom line, Em used his reach to call out the bullshit while he had millions of eyes on him. And while it’s understandable that some people have a problem with some of Eminem’s lyrics that touch on rape and misogyny, and use homophobic slurs, at 44, he’s been sober for years and has likely done at least a little growing up. Naturally, his content should evolve with him.
Not only that, do they even know who the POTUS is right now? Look up Trump’s sordid history. We all know it’s not pretty.
If it took a white MC who came up in the 8 Mile of Detroit to grab the attention of people who normally wouldn’t give Hip Hop a chance, so be it.
This is the time to do it.
And hey, at least Trump still has Kid Rock.
As aTrump supporter…. I’m thought this was mediocre …. I’m dissapointed….I thought he would spit some fire….
Suck a dick
because he doesn’t share your opinion it wasn’t good?
As a trump supporter, your judgment is obviously flawed big time so your opinion doesn’t matter. Anyone supporting Drumpf obviously lacks the brain power to think for themselves or come to any form of educated conclusions on anything that matters at all. You may as well have voted for Donald Duck, let alone Donald Trump.
If you gonna diss trump sound good doing it…. just as a pure freestyle it was crap….I can forgive the lies that he said if it was a good freestyle
I was hyped for the simple fact there weren’t any dumb voices or dated Lindsey Lohan references…
In all honesty, any Trump supporter at this point, has nothing more than a racist agenda, period! What a f*cking joke of a presidency this is. So embarrassing!
How do you figure? I want him to keep illegal immigrants out while letting in as many LEGAL immigrants from Mexico as our economy requires. I want him to pass tax reform and nix all the over-regulation from Obama’s term, so the economy can pick back up. And I hope he lowers the deficit. What about any of that indicates that I am not comfortable in a diverse and tolerant society? Stop listening to the crap the media spews.
S/O to George Spivey! My sentiments EXACTLY!
He lost any credibility when he said “we better give Obama props”.. Wait, you mean the president that never stood up for the country? The president who helped put racial tensions at the highest they’ve been in decades? The president who made it possible for people to even wanna vote for Donald Trump? Nah.. That guy gets NO props.. Stop trying to show out for your black friends, Em….
You lost credibility when you made that weak ass post. “The president who helped put racial tensions at the highest they’ve been in decades?” hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaa Yeah sure.
Umm.. I guess you were living in a cave from 2012-2016.
No playa. I was up and at them from 2012-2016. I’m up and at them now too looking and listening to that fool you voted for sensationalize racism with talks of building a wall to keep people out of the country. If anything racism is at an all time high because the tiki torch mafia’s mascot is named Donald Trump.
You gotta understand…when he says “racial tensions”, he means the fight for equality. Essentially he is some pissed-off kid who wants America to continue its unofficial caste system. Dude really dropped the “I voted for Obama” line. GTFO
You have to think of things in the sense of “Does this help or hurt whats next” Let me break this down. The first of anything always has it rough in very unique ways. These are small thoughts on a big picture move, your the “complain about anything” type. The type to look at the cons and magnify them over the pro’s. I can guarantee that effects you in real life, but I won’t get petty in this post. Obama is bigger than obama, the people who get it get it. Just by winning the presidency alone it was a mirror reflecting a better humanity. Everything else was icing on the cake. To not see that you either aren’t black or are corrupted by social defamation. People get very creative with hate and your energy is only castrating yourself and positive change. If you want everything to be 100% perfect you’ll never be happy.
Obama winning the presidency was great for the world. I voted for him, so kill all your assumptions right there. But there is more to it than becoming president. His last 4 years were terrible. The sad part is that people like yourself, (who don’t pay attwntion to the world or politics), can actually say with a straight face, “everything else was just icing on the cake”.. Wow.. “Everything”? Talk about being blinded to reality just because you want to stick with your hope.. Very sad.
Eminem using this to hype a new album…real talk #wakeup
Amazing insight, genius. Ever thought about maybe somebody with his type of clout wants to lend their voice for the greater good? Eh, probably not. Take it easy, Malcolm X.
Lots of orange tonsils on this thread.
Trump still dont love u…
THANK YOU.
Ima support Trump before I support these weak ass bars.
This wasn’t all that, only overhyped because it’s eminem (like his albums from the last 15+ years). Some basic flow, with basic hate lyrics, I was left really unimpressed from it
People acting like eminem never went after a president before. Y’all ever listen to Mosh? Dude roasted bush. And that was at the height of his fame.
Eminem did it way better than YG and Nipsey Hussle so don’t make this about black and white. Eminem is a way better rapper DX and y’all know that. Of course this is written by Kyle Eustice. I remember she wrote another terrible editorial about XXXtentacion. This gal is a race baiter/click baiter/sexism baiter. Not the best form of journalism, but hey it sells. #Ads #Money #HHDX
if you think Em’s verse is better than FDT than the validity of all your other opinions go out the window.
I’m not a Trump supporter. But this was no win for America. One, who gives a shit if Keith Olbermann or anyone like him accepts hip hop? This type of music isn’t going anywhere. We don’t need the acceptance of those who have shunned the art form, and only back it once it’s politically expedient to do so. Two, Eminem’s reach is irrelevant. Like you’ve already admitted, this is well-worn territory by other artists. It’s done nothing to change the minds of Trump supporters, and hasn’t added anything to the conversation that Trump haters didn’t already agree with. The only admirable thing about this is, in his own words, Em is willing to lose fans over this. But as someone who’s estimated to be worth around $200 million, he never has to sell another record again. With that in mind, this doesn’t really seem all that heroic to me.
man, you bodied this comment. I completely agree. Kendrick, Cole, Wale, Black Thought, even Macklamore have been on this wave. When Em does it, it’s the greatest thing ever? I’m glad Em is standing with the culture that took care of his family for over 20 years, now put out that slaughter house album.
You gotta understand…when he says “racial tensions”, he means the fight for equality. Essentially he is some pissed-off whiteboy who wants America to continue its unofficial caste system. Dude really dropped the “I voted for Obama” line. GTFO
It’s funny how these white boys hate black people, but can’t stay away from black culture. Lol, no one wants to be around them. Not even them. Y’all trumptards are a cult
Just the white boys hate black people? Get over it man. Not all white people hate black people. I sure don’t hate black people. I’m sure not all black people like white people. I know I’ve been privileged and had an easy life so far, but stop saying that all white people are racist. There are always gonna be racists…If you’re white, plenty of other cultures hate you. If you’re black, the same thing. If you’re Asian, the same thing. If you’re Mexican, the same thing. Stop focusing on who you think hates you, and just start trying to get along with everyone.
However, the basis for White racism is White genetic domination. You see you have two types of racism. One type of racism that is common is the one that is based on ignorance. Most of these types of racist are common people. They just hate Blacks because of how they’ve been raised or what the media or educational system has portrayed. So any small minor thing about race will get them upset because they bought into the lie that Blacks are inferior. Then you have the smart racist who bases their racism off of genetic domination. Since they know that the Black gene is dominant and the White gene is recessive their racism is more systematic. These types of racist are more elite and this racism is expressed in the five areas of people activity politic, economics, education, religion. I forgot the last one. They actually know that Blacks are not inferior and are human beings, but they base their behavior off of a need for their people to survive. So basically they know what they do is wrong but to them What their doing is right. Their perception of right and wrong is moral relativism. Black peoples so-called racism against White people is more so reactionary. It’s more so a form of being prejudice. A person can be prejudice for chocolate over vanilla ice cream that isn’t necessarily racist. It’s also reactionary. If Blacks and White never had a good relationship Why would every Black person trust White people? In my opinion, racism is a group phenomenon. Not every White man is my enemy, not very Whiteman is my friend. Not every Blackman is my brother, not every Black person is my friend.
I let strippers entertain me, but I don’t respect them.. What’s your point?
I don’t respect my penis!!
The Illest Four letter Word In The World Is Cage
Wow, that’s so deep.
Do you know what i’m talking about son?
I’m waiting on a single dissing Donald Trump… We know it’s coming.
It’ll be glorious.
Wow. Totally lost respect for Em with this BS. Racial tensions? LoL!! Don’t these entitled milionário morons understand that they don’t live in the REAL WORLD anymore? I’m the background there are a bunch of black dudes. Not one white person, Asian or Latino. Em. Who exactly is a racist here? LoL. So stupid.
This comment made me retarded. 1;ll Senb u t#E Bi11!
Keith Olbermann doesn’t give a fuck about the culture, and he doesn’t listen to anything. He’s just behind a message that happens to be congruent with his.
Other than that, I mostly agree. Em should be respected for being vocal about it, he’s not doing it without taking risks (adressing his fans in a direct way like that). Plus, substance is indeed much needed these days. As well as uprising. This isn’t about who dunnit before and who’s better. The more the merrier. If you’re with Trump, racism and classism, sure you’ll hate these bars. You’re suppose to. This is for the people still sitting on the couch hoping it will all blow over.
Em can get away wit it cause him and trump have the same handlers the
13 rich family in there corner that’s the only reason em won’t be sacrificed
conveniently he has an album coming out. you really think this dude cares? he did the same thing to bush.
Man when this came out it made me excited because I knew the hype meant they were releasing his album soon, why hate on them for that? Music is still a business and has to be treated as so, Eminem’s freestyle was as good as any political rant all year, built up hype now they release an album. That’s how it works. If that formulaic type of thing bothers you, then idk man because eminem at least keeps the business out of his music (for the most part, I don’t always feel good about pop-Em) a LOT of new artists are sticking to a formula in the music just to get people to pay attention because they sound like the next guy that so and so listens to
Trump is the biggest FU to the corporate machine that we’ve ever had, but the media has been working overtime to make it seem like resisting him is the way to be edgy. It’s not, resisting him is tacitly supporting the agenda of corporate America. They’ve made him out to be some evil racist that he’s not, in order to get ppl on their side. The way the media used to say Em was homophobic, I’d think that he could see through it if anyone could. He looks like an idiot not only doing a diss track to the POTUS, but telling his fans he hates them if they disagree. He didn’t even do that when he battled Benzino or Ja. He looks really dumb right now, I say that as someone who idolized him as a kid
If you really think that Trump is a threat to corporate America then you are the one who has been brainwashed. He IS corporate America
Trump is a threat to the international communist agenda.
You totally nailed my feelings about this. I respect his craft, but boy this cipher undermined my perception of his intelligence. It just elucidates how people like Em buy into the popular narrative propagated by “establishment” news and comedy networks that anyone who disagrees with “their” agenda is the newest enemy to boycott. It just shows how unoriginal and insecure he seems to be. “The future fascist will scream that they are anti-fascist.” -WC
I think Trum is a good president. Em is a good mc but i hate the fact that he disrespected his fans because of thei political views.
Reasonable point but if he was going at them for their political views, he probably would have dissed them for voting republican. His problem here is that Trump ran on a white-people first platform that allowed all closeted racists to come out the woodwork. The Klan is at its boldest for decades, distrust among races is higher than ever, and he keeps trying to distract people from the real issues by ranting about less important issues. He is essentially a skilled manipulator that understands his base will go to bat for him and claim any resistance as part of a liberal agenda
Kyle, it night be best to delete and rewrite this. You’ve listed no legitimate reasons for how this is a “win” for us and just fell back on posting reactions from other rappers and celebrities. This isn’t a win, just Eminem saying shit we’ve already heard from a majority of celebrities.
People have already stated what you’ve expressed…but that didn’t stop you from typing, did it?
Em racist,trump racist enough said
Em has always act like he gave a shit bout black ppl wen he really don’t like them either……..can anyone
remember that racist demo song he did before dre sign him back than I have the song how he the degraded black men and women
Why do so many people in this country think that just becuz they say something, it’s true. Em just regurgitated every over exaggerated claim we’ve heard about Trump in rhyme form. What are these people gonna do when the smoke clears and their unreasonableness goes unnoticed. George Lopez once said he thought this country was racist enough to elect Trump…while the 1st black POTUS was finishing up his 2nd term. These are the people we’re supposed to agree with? Em called Trump a racist while making fun of his orange skin. Em gave the ultimatum to his of him or Trump…considering he’s been wack for about a decade now, I made my choice well before Trump became president. Ironically so didn’t Hiphop, but just like Kaep the fading star will be brought back into the light thanks to your POTUS.
Shit was mad corny lmfaooooo
no one got shot at the bet awards 2017 thats the real “win” here, all eminem did was sound like the rest of the crying bitches in hollywood “we hate trump” well to bad he won and will be president for at least 3+ more years likely more if this cry baby shit keeps up because your making him look even better then he already does
Tell the truth..all of y’all thought voting for Trump would make you feel better…but it didnt happen…you still mad…the pain is deeep…why u think half of y’all on these opiates? Trump love aint gon’ save you…white supremacist ideas wont either…the truth will set u free
Wtf are you talking about ? You sound stupid as fuck talking racist shit because thats all you got is everyone’s racist get over it snowflake and go cry in your safe space
Tony, listen to some Kid Rock or maybe you should go listen to Limbaugh…maybe that’ll help…or maybe some rap that reinforces negative stereotypes…cuz obviously, raw uncut hip hop hurt your feelings…
I been listening to hip hop since you were likely just a hipster living in your daddy’s sack go cry me a river
Bringing up how Eminem is a white MC multiple times in this article, and using it (I feel in my opinion) as some sort of pre-defensive move to the inevitable negative knee-jerk reactions people who hate on him regardless always have, struck me as unnecessary. Eminem has earned his place in hip-hop as one of the illest to ever do it-his skin color doesn’t matter. What he said resonated so loudly because of how dope his poetry was, and he is a superstar with a gargantuan sized platform. Lyrically, he was just on a whole other stratosphere than any who dare call themselves an MC. None of the other BET performers came close, and there are none in recent memory that I think anyone can bring up that have been this masterful. It was pure art and poetry exercised with expert level skill. Eminem is legend.
Focusing on Eminems race today shows a fundamental lack of understanding Hip Hop, and exactly what his verse was about.
Sorry to shit on this fake-ass unity parade but that was the weakest freestyle/spoken word I’ve heard from this dork.
He’s great at what he does probably the best but this was NOT powerful on any level whatsoever.
I wish he never released Campaign Speech as a song and used those lyrics then absolutely the best diss ever !!!
…aint nobody listening to somebody who calls THEMSELVES SlimeyFuck9…yo azz so weak, u couldnt even be SlimeyFuck1…but i feel ya, you know its waaaay more than 9 SlimeyFucks on this thread…you were just showing respect, right?
Eminem is vicious.