Eminem performs at the MTV EMAs 2017. November 12, 2017.
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images for MTV
Eminem's surprise album Kamikaze contains a track called "The Ringer" where the rapper dives into the response to his anti-Trump freestyle at the 2017 BET Awards. The cypher was well-received by Trump critics for lyrics like “Any fan of mine who’s a supporter of his / I’m drawing in the sand a line, you’re either for or against." But on "The Ringer," Eminem appears to regret how the stance may have impacted the size of his fanbase.
On "The Ringer," Eminem raps about fans who were alienated by his phrasings. “If I could go back, I’d at least reword it / And say I empathize with the people this evil serpent sold the dream to that he’s deserted," he raps. He goes on to muse "was it even worth it?" and blames the freestyle for his shrinking fan base. Read the lyrics below:
That line in the sand, was it even worth it?
‘Cause the way I see people turning is making it seem worthless
It’s starting to defeat the purpose
I’m watching my fan base shrink to thirds
And I was just trying to do the right thing, but word.
Eminem claims in the same song that he was interviewed by Secret Service agents at the request of "Agent Orange" a.k.a. Donald Trump "to see if I really think of hurtin' him / or ask if I'm linked to terrorists." Read those lyrics below.
'Cause Agent Orange just sent the Secret Service
To meet in person to see if I really think of hurtin' him
Or ask if I'm linked to terrorists
I said, "Only when it comes to ink and lyricists."
Listen to "The Ringer" below:
