An intriguing musical debate has captured the attention of fans and stirred the pot in the rap community. Justin Bieber, a voice of the current musical era, has shared some thought-provoking insights on Instagram concerning Eminem and his outlook on modern rap. His post, which is making the rounds on social media, has sparked a conversation about generational differences in music appreciation.
In a rather revealing move on his Instagram Story, Justin Bieber posted an image of Eminem’s 2018 track, “The Ringer,” playing on his iTunes. By doing this, Bieber, a global pop sensation, expressed his admiration for Eminem’s lyrical prowess and flow. However, he didn’t shy away from voicing his disapproval of the way Eminem seems to critique contemporary rap artists. Bieber stated, “I just like Ems flow, but I dont like that hes dissing new rappers,” clearly empathizing with the new wave of musicians that are paving their paths in the music industry. Without naming names, Bieber subtly highlighted the generational gap in how rap music is perceived and valued.
A deeper dive into this debate reveals that while Bieber holds a profound respect for the artistry of someone like Eminem, he simultaneously stands as a guardian of his fellow musicians who are breaking new ground in the rap scene. Eminems track “The Ringer” from his surprise album Kamikaze, generated buzz due to his critique of newer “mumble rappers,” a term that has often been used derogatorily to describe the fresh, evolving styles of rap. Eminem raps, I can see why people like Lil Yachty, but not me though / Not even dissin, it just aint for me, which points to his personal preferences rather than outright condemnation, yet it echoes a sentiment of underappreciation for the new genres.
Further into “The Ringer,” Eminem’s verses become sharper: I heard your mumblin but its jumbled in mumbo-jumbo / The era that Im from will pummel you, thats what its comin to / What the fuck youre gonna do when you run into it? / Here, the iconic rapper unapologetically draws a line between his era and the contemporary scene, proclaiming his intent to maintain musical dominance. Eminem goes on with his rapid-fire delivery: Im going to crush you and steal the second one, intensifying his stance.
Despite not being in his commercial prime, Eminem remains remarkably influential and continues to enjoy significant success. Buzz Angle Music reported that Eminem was the best-selling musician in 2018 based on pure album sales, underscoring the rappers enduring appeal. Meanwhile, Justin Bieber himself recently faced criticism during his high-profile Coachella performance with Ariana Grande, where he was accused of lip-syncing to his hit track “Sorry.”
The intersection of Bieber and Eminems artistic worlds provides a fascinating lens through which to view the evolution of rap culture, raising questions about tradition, innovation, and the ongoing discussion of what defines “real” rap music today. The evolving landscape of music is as much a testament to past influences as it is to future innovations, and this dialogue is sure to fuel ongoing discussions in musical circles all over the world.