Eminem has used a Steve Miller Band classic for his newest song, “Houdini,” and the rock mainstay was quite pleased with the end result.
Em’s track, which was released on Friday (May 31), interpolates Miller’s 1982 smash “Abracadabra,” and the rocker took to his Instagram to thank Slim Shady for the tribute.
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“Hey EM,” he wrote in the caption. “There is a long chain of stories, poetry, lyrics, and musical roots that have crossed cultures and generations inspiring the whole world for hundreds of years and in all those lines of thought, music, and rhythm there are special artists who take it all in and create new original ideas from their own feelings and experiences.”
He continued: “You are one of those timeless originators building something new on a long musical legacy of original artists. […] There aren’t many artists who take the time or make the effort to stand up for themselves and credit and respect their influencers at the same time. Marshall Mathers you are an exception and on my short list of people who respect the art. To be included in your process feels good while I’m still singing and playing the music I love. I’m Honored.”
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Check out the post below.
Despite Miller’s positive reaction, Megan Thee Stallion fans are less than thrilled with Eminem, as he took shots at her on the track.
The song, which also samples his own classic hit “Without Me,” finds Slim Shady making light of Megan’s 2020 shooting at the hands of Tory Lanez, which left her with bullet fragments in her feet.
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Rapping over a cartoonish beat that also replays “Abracadabra,” he spits: “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 wordplay continues when Em later makes a joke about R. Kelly and the leaked sex tape that allegedly showed him urinating on a minor.
“In the coupe, leaning back my seat/ Bumpin’ R. Kelly’s favorite group, the black guy pees,” he quips, playing on the name of the Black Eyed Peas.
The 51-year-old rap legend also takes lyrical shots at so-called “cancel culture,” as well as issues of gender identity.
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“My shit may not be age-appropriate/ But I will hit an eight-year-old in the face with a participation trophy/ ‘Cause I have zero doubts that this whole world’s ’bout to turn into some girl scouts/ That censorship bureau’s out to (shut me down),” he spits.
He adds: “My transgender cat’s Siamese/ Identifies as black, but acts Chinese.”
