Eminem Reacts To Billboard Top Rappers On New Song 'Tobey'

Eminem returned on Tuesday (July 2) with his second single The Death of Slim Shady single, “Tobey,” along with fellow Detroit residents Big Sean and Babytron. Winning third on the track, Em cut through the ominous production and even appeared to address Advertising sign ranking him No. 5 on the list of the 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time, published last year.

“But that to me is a mystery/ How rappers that I've already dropped could be higher on a list than me/ Yet I'm sitting here on your list that went five, I wish it was fine, but just know inside / To me that's hilarious,” he says.

It's unclear who Slim Shady is targeting, but the four rappers ahead of him in the rankings (four to one) are 2Pac, Nas, Kendrick Lamar and Jay-Z.

Em also responded to Melle Mel's review that Marshall Mathers was one of the top five rappers. Mel had said during an interview with The Art of Dialogue last year after Advertising signHis list posted that he believes Em made it as high as he did on the list because he is white.

Raps Em on “Tobey”: “So when I'm let down by a pioneer though/ Who was one of the reasons I'm here/ They tell me I gotta let it go and slide/ “Melle Mel shouldn't you get no answer, this man is a legend'/ B—i, so am I'.

Mel explained his thoughts on Art of Dialogue chat. “Obviously he's a skilled rapper. If you were talking about sales, he has sold more than anyone. If you were talking about rhyming style, OK got a rhyming style. But he's white. He's white,” Mel said. “So now if Eminem was another n—like all the rest of us, would he be top five on this list when a—one who could rhyme as well as him at 35? Did that have records and all that? He's 35. He's white.”

“Tobey” will lead Eminem to his arrival The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)which hits streaming services on July 12. “Houdini” was the project's lead single and gave Em his best Hot 100 chart hit this decade when it debuted at No. 2.

Listen to 'Tobey' below.