Lil Yachty expressed his appreciation for a lyrical jab from Eminem on the latter’s 2018 track, “The Ringer.” During an appearance on the show, Tea Time with Raven and Miranda, Yachty shared that he found Eminem’s mention of him to be “amazing” rather than offensive. He stated, “If you say my name, it’s like, you could’ve said anyone’s name. So, you’re saying my name? I’m like, ‘That’s kinda fire.'”
Eminem’s verse includes the lines, “Do you have any idea how much I hate this choppy flow / Everyone copies though? Probably no… I can see why people like Lil Yachty, but not me though / Not even dissin’, it just ain’t for me.” While some fans interpreted this as a diss, many echoed Yachty’s sentiments on social media, praising his positive reaction to the comment. One Instagram user noted, “It was definitely a bit of a diss, but certainly nothing to be mad about. Yachty took it the right way imo.”
Another fan argued that Eminem’s words were more of a clever observation about the changing landscape of rap rather than an outright insult. This user highlighted that Eminem had previously included a song featuring Yachty on a Hip-Hop playlist, suggesting a level of respect rather than animosity between the artists.
Reflecting on Longevity in Hip-Hop
Lil Yachty’s remarks come just months before the tenth anniversary of his debut commercial mixtape, Lil Boat, released in 2015. During his appearance, he reflected on the challenges he faced as a new artist. “First they said I was a one-hit wonder,” he recalled, as reported by Complex. “They were like, ‘You’re not going to make it past ‘One Night.’ That’s it.’ And then they said ‘one year.’ Like, ‘We won’t hear him by next year.’ Then it became the average rapper has a lifespan of five years. And now the conversation is, ‘How is he still relevant?'”
Yachty’s ability to navigate the evolving music industry and maintain a presence in hip-hop is noteworthy. Since releasing “One Night,” he has continued to produce music and collaborate with various artists, solidifying his status in a genre often characterized by rapid turnover. His resilience and ability to adapt have drawn admiration from fans and peers alike.
As the hip-hop community continues to shift, Yachty’s perspective on Eminem’s critique serves as a reminder that even perceived disses can be stepping stones toward greater recognition and longevity in the industry.
