Eminem is pretty talented, but I’ve never really been a fan of him. Rap comes from hip hop, and even the 90s gangster rap had that hip hop soul in it - maybe its just cause he’s white, but Eminem doesnt have it.

So I agree with Moby when he says that Eminem promotes these kinds of things. There is no deeper meaning in the lyrics. Frankly, Eminem isn’t smart enough to do that. It’s about exactly what it says.

Eminem picking fights is unprofessional. He needs to grow up. And his fans beating up Moby shows what kind of crowd listens to him.

And this is coming from a guy who grew up listening to hip hop and 90s gangster rap.

90s gangster rap sort of talked about it in a remorseful way, like “this is our life and this is what we go through”, not promoting any of it.

You’ll get no argument from me on these points, but Em’s behavior as a professional, as an artist, and as a role model is reprehensible.

Moby’s critique of him is valid, even if it doesn’t take into account all the facts or “subjective interpretations” of Em’s lyrics. Bottom line is “words mean things” and the words Em uses can sometimes be said to negatively influence the minds of more impressionable viewers. I don’t particularly care if you agree with this, your belief is not necessary for it to be true, I’ve seen how kids get influenced by it first hand, so it’s enough for me to be convinced of it.

I’ve been an avid hip hop fan since about ‘84 (Grandmaster Flash - Gold was the first audio cassette I ever bought, in grade 4) - just in case you think I’m talking out my ass - I’m not; I’d never claim to have heard it all, but I’ve heard a lot. NWA was the “shock group” of my generation. I still remember my parents confiscating all my hip hop tapes when they found out what I was really listening to. Now, you could say “well you listened to that stuff and you seem like you turned out ok”, but see, I know (and always have known) it’s entertainment, and not every kid is that swift if you catch my drift…

It’s worth noting that I also really dig techno and house - talent can be found in many places.

The bottom line is that in their words you can see the kind of people they are: Moby - not hostile, and seems to care about the world, and what his fellow artists are doing, Em - basically saying “if you don’t like me then #$@# you and everything you stand for! I’ll kill ya!” Yeah he’s got skills, but it just seems so stupid and over the top with this beef he’s got.

Q-Tip and the Tribe said it best: “You’re not any less of a man if you don’t pull the trigger, you’re not any more of a man if you do.” Hip hop, and it’s leading talent, has lost sight of this ideal. I’ll still listen, but I don’t take them seriously anymore.