Royce Da 5’9″ has set the record straight on the notion that Eminem dissed JAY-Z on his latest single “Tobey.”
Released on Tuesday (July 2), the Big Sean and BabyTron-assisted track found Slim Shady taking issue with his No. 5 ranking on Billboard and VIBE‘s Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time list that was published last year.
After asserting his status as a G.O.A.T., the Detroit rap legend spits: “Ain’t feelin’ your top five favorite rappers/ So I know they ’bout to be pissed at me/ But this, to me, is a mystery/ How rappers I’ve already ripped could be/ Higher up on a list than me.”
Some interpreted these lyrics as a shot at JAY-Z, who topped Billboard and VIBE‘s list, followed by Kendrick Lamar (No. 2), Nas (No. 3) and 2Pac (No. 4).
Of course, the pair joined forces on “Renegade” back in 2001, leading to Nas famously claiming on his diss song “Ether” that Em “murdered” Hov on his own track.
The speculation made it to Royce Da 5’9″‘s Instagram page, with one user asking him: “You not gonna answer this but…. They saying Em was throwing a shot at Jay in that Tobey joint. Is that true??”
The Bad Meets Evil MC definitively shut down the chatter, replying: “Of course not.”
“OF COURSE NOT”
— Royce when asked if Eminem was throwing shots at Jay-Z in 'Tobey'. pic.twitter.com/5ZaOl8HGoa
— The Eminem Bible (@Shadyind) July 4, 2024
“Tobey” marks the second single from Eminem’s upcoming 12th album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), which is set to be released July 12.
It follows “Houdini,” which arrived in late May along with a whimsical video that calls back to Em’s classic 2002 single “Without Me.”
Directed by frequent collaborator Rich Lee, the superhero-themed visual followed the 51-year-old as he battled his Slim Shady alter ego who had teleported to the present day from the early 2000s.
It also boasted cameos from the likes of Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, The Alchemist, Jimmy Iovine, Pete Davidson and Em’s longtime manager Paul Rosenberg, as well as the rapper’s three children.
The song itself channeled the irreverent, rabble-rousing spirit of Em’s early career with playful jabs aimed at Megan Thee Stallion and R. Kelly, among other targets.
“If I was to ask for Megan Thee/ Stallion if she would collab with me/ Would I really have a shot at a feat?” he rapped, making light of the 2020 Tory Lanez shooting that left her with bullet fragments in her feet.
Referencing the alleged sex tape of Kelly urinating on a minor, he spat: “In the coupe, leaning back my seat/ Bumpin’ R. Kelly’s favorite group, the Black Guy Pees.”
A tracklist for The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) has yet to be released, but Dr. Dre previously confirmed that he has production on the album.
I’m in a cabana chantin’ all this standup banter/While you don’t got the stamina, ya lackin’ the stamina/Ya lackin’ the stamina while ya divorcin’ Harrison Ford/And I’m in a Porsche and the floor boards
Get outta here Riff Raff Jr.
You using way too many napkins/LAPKINS/You using ChapStick and napkins while I’m bapkin’/Flappin’ around like a bapkin
If he’s not talking about Jay-Z, then who is he talking about???
Wayne, Kanye, Drake, BIG, take your pick.
Why are people acting like the Renegade lyrics weren’t reused? Original version had Royce on it. A real hip-hop head knows that. Not even an Eminem or Jay fan to even say that outloud.
Why are people acting like the Renegade lyrics weren’t reused? Original version had Royce on it. A real hip-hop head knows that. Not even an Eminem or Jay fan to even say that outloud
Why do you think people aren’t aware of this? It’s common knowledge
Why are people acting like the Renegade lyrics weren’t reused? Original version had Royce on it. A real hip-hop head knows that. Not even an Eminem or Jay fan to even say that outloud
“it goes Reggie, JAY-Z, Tupac and Biggie, Andre from Outkast, Jada, Kurupt, Nas, and then me” – Em. i guess mfers forgot about that bar.
When did Royce become Em’s secretary? Em can’t talk to black people directly or something?
Where did you learn to read? Someone commented on “Royce’s” Instagram… Don’t be such a numpty.
“You’re not gonna answer this but …,”
And then he answered like a good secretary.
Who else would he be talking about? He should chill though since it’s a wack list. They have the #1 and #2 dudes who have a canyon between them and everybody else at three and four.
How can that line not be about jay? His line with biggie was after he died. Em 💯 got jay on renegade.
Jay got Eminem on being hailed the best rapper alive in multiple publications for overall impact on Hip Hop culture as well as lyricism. And on having more Grammys. .Oh, and on being a multi-billionaire. But sure, Em did win Renegade.
Get the Grammy awards and billionaire status out of this conversation. Why do people like you catch feelings because em on one song with Jay, em got him? Why do you feel the need to pit accolades and defend jay? Jay doesn’t need your help. Not one bit.
People are way overthinking this. It’s just battle rapping. Anytime Em is asked about this stuff he always puts a bunch of other rappers ahead of himself. Jay-Z himself has arguably more lyrics than anyone himself himself on a pedestal yet no one is silly enough to take it as him dissing anyone in particular. It’s hip hop and Em is talking his ish.
Blueprint came out in Sept., Stillmatic came that Dec. Until Nas said that in Ether, NOBODY was saying that. But, that’s the power of winning a battle, change public perception real quick.
Yes they was and I have The Source magazines from the time that’s says you’re wrong.