Eminem references Drake, Taylor Swift, MGK & more during his face-off with Slim Shady

Eminem killed off his alter-ego on The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grace) album, but Slim Shady made his grand return as part of Complex‘s The Face-Off series, released in full on Tuesday (July 30, 2024) or maybe the events happened BEFORE the murder.

In the 11-minute clip, Marshall Mathers argues with Slim Shady, with Marshall calling out Slim for being too aggressive and controversial while Slim says Marshall’s entire career success can be attributed to him. “You’re not f—ing Taylor Swift. You had one ‘era’ that mattered. Mine. Everything people think of when they think of Eminem is f—ing yours truly,” Slim says.

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The duo make a series of references to a number of stars throughout the 11-minute clip, including Richard Gere as the original title for 2005’s “FACK,” Vanilla Ice in an old age joke, MGK in reference to their years-long feud and Ja Rule, Moby, Fred Durst and Christina Aguilera as the sarcastically labeled “lyrical titans” that Em has dissed over the years.

Elsewhere in the face-off interview, the duo make references to Drake’s “Family Matters” when the conversation of weight arose. “We cured fatness. There’s literally a shot for it. It’s very popular,” Em tells Slim, in reference to the type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic, which is often used by celebrities for weight loss.

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“I hear it’s got side effects of jealousy,” Slim said, mocking Drake’s “Family Matters” lyric, before Eminem dubs Slim “BBL Slizzy.” At the end of the series, Em and Slim ultimately come to an understanding and settle their beef. “Look at us. Hey, look at us. Who would’ve thought? Not me,” the duo conclude, in reference to Paul Rudd’s Hot Ones episode and the meme it inspired.

Though Slim and Em ultimately found their way to a point of mutual respect and understanding in the Complex interview, the path to such symbiotic acceptance wasn’t without its speed bumps. At one point, for example, Slim pointed out to Em that, and these are Slim’s exact words, “MGK f–ked your mother.” Em, to be clear, did not dispute this remark, adding only that “she’s your mother too” and advising Slim to seek professional help.

The Death of Slim Shady served as the Detroit legend’s 12th studio album and delivered his 10th consecutive Billboard 200-topper. TDOSS debuted with 281,000 total album-equivalent sales in the first week to end Taylor Swift’s three-month run atop the chart. You can watch the entire face-off below: