Verified archive entry

The Ringer

The Ringer is a diss track by Eminem targeting Machine Gun Kelly, Iggy Azalea, Lil Pump, Lil Xan, Charlamagne Tha God, Donald Trump and Mumble rappers. The track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends.

Released2018
Annotated8
ExplicitYes
Addressable transcript

Lyrics & breakdown

Demo lines only. Select a line number to copy a stable deep link.

  1. 01

    [Intro]

    02

    *Plane crash*

    03

    Yeah (Illa, Illa, Illa)

    04

    Yo, I'm just gonna write down my first thoughts, and see where this takes me, ’cause I feel like I wanna punch the world in the fuckin' face right now

    05

    Yeah

  2. 06

    [Verse]

    07

    Let me explain just how to make greatness

    08

    Straight out the gate, I'm ’bout to break it down

    09

    Ain't no mistakes allowed, but make no mistake, I'm 'bout

    10

    To rape the alphabet, I may raise some brows

  3. 11

    If I press the issue just to get the anger out (Brrr)

    12

    Full magazine could take Staples out

    13

    Savage but ain't thinkin' 'bout no bank account

    14

    But bitch, I'm off the chain like Kala Brown

  4. 15

    Motherfucker, shut the fuck up when I’m talkin’, lil' bitch

    16

    I’m sorry, wait, what's your talent? Oh, critiquin'

    17

    My talent? Oh, bitch, I don't know who the fuck y’all are

    18

    To give a sub-par bar or even have an opinion of you

  5. 19

    You mention me, millions of views, attention in news

    Multi-line diss block
    20

    I mention you, lose-lose for me, win-win for you

    21

    Billions of views, your ten cents are two

    22

    Skim through the music to give shit reviews

    Block noteForces the dispute into a direct contest

    TargetMachine Gun Kelly

    MeaningWhat it means: In “I mention you, lose-lose for me, win-win for you,” Eminem addresses Machine Gun Kelly as an opponent who must prove the claims being made rather than rely on reputation. Why it was said: The track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends. The challenge narrows the argument to performance under pressure, where refusing or failing to answer can itself be presented as a loss for Machine Gun Kelly.

    ContextThe track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends.

  6. 23

    To get clicks, but bitch, you just lit the fuse

    Multi-line diss block
    24

    Don't get misconstrued, business as us'

    25

    Shit-list renewed, so get shit to do

    26

    Or get dissed 'cause I just don't get

    Block noteReduces the target to a dismissive caricature

    TargetMachine Gun Kelly

    MeaningWhat it means: In “To get clicks, but bitch, you just lit the fuse,” Eminem replaces Machine Gun Kelly's preferred identity with a degrading label intended to make the opponent look ridiculous or contemptible. Why it was said: The track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends. The label gives the audience a short, repeatable frame for the feud; repetition of that frame can shape how Machine Gun Kelly is remembered.

    ContextThe track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends.

  7. 27

    What the fuck half the shit is that you're listenin' to

    28

    Do you have any idea how much I hate this choppy flow

    29

    Everyone copies though? Prob'ly no

    30

    Get this fuckin' audio out my Audi, yo, adiós

  8. 31

    I can see why people like Lil Yachty, but not me though

    Multi-line diss block
    32

    Not even dissin', it just ain't for me

    33

    All I am simply is just an MC

    34

    Maybe "Stan" just isn't your cup of tea (Get it?)

    Block noteTurns the target's own work into ammunition

    TargetMachine Gun Kelly

    MeaningWhat it means: In “Maybe "Stan" just isn't your cup of tea (Get it?),” Eminem quotes or reshapes a recognizable phrase associated with Machine Gun Kelly, using the target's own catalogue or public image as the setup for the insult. Why it was said: The track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends. The callback is meant to deny Machine Gun Kelly control of a familiar signature: the audience recognizes the source, but now hears it serving the opponent's punchline.

    ContextThe track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends.

  9. 35

    Maybe your cup's full of syrup and lean

    36

    Maybe I need to stir up shit, preferably

    37

    Shake the world up if it were up to me

    38

    Paul wants me to chill, y'all want me to ill

  10. 39

    I should eat a pill, probably I will

    40

    Old me killed the new me, watch him bleed to death

    41

    I breathe on the mirror, I don't see my breath

    42

    Possibly I'm dead, I must be possessed

  11. 43

    Like an evil spell, I'm E-V-I-L ("Evil" spelled)

    44

    Jam a Crest Whitestrip in the tip of my dick

    45

    With an ice pick, stick it in a vise grip

    46

    Hang it on a spike fence, bang it with a pipe wrench

  12. 47

    While I take my ball sack and flick it like a light switch

    48

    Like Vice President Mike Pence

    49

    Back up on my shit in a sidekick as I lay it on a spike strip

    50

    These are things that I'd rather do than hear you on a mic

  13. 51

    Since nine tenths of your rhyme is about ice and

    Multi-line diss block
    52

    Jesus Christ, man, how many times is

    53

    Someone gonna fuck on my bitch? (Fuck my side chick)

    54

    You won't ever see Em icy

    Block noteAttacks the target's ability to rap

    TargetMachine Gun Kelly

    MeaningWhat it means: In “Since nine tenths of your rhyme is about ice and,” Eminem challenges Machine Gun Kelly on writing, delivery, flow, or command of the microphone rather than relying only on a personal insult. Why it was said: The track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends. This goes to the qualification that gives Machine Gun Kelly standing in a rap battle; if the craft is weak, the reply loses authority before its other claims are considered.

    ContextThe track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends.

  14. 55

    But as cold as I get on the M-I-C

    Multi-line diss block
    56

    I polarize shit, so the Thames might freeze

    57

    And your skull might split like I bashed you upside it

    58

    Bitch, I got the club on smash like a nightstick (Yeah)

    Block noteImagines the battle as physical destruction

    TargetMachine Gun Kelly

    MeaningWhat it means: In “And your skull might split like I bashed you upside it,” Eminem converts lyrical defeat into death, shooting, burial, or bodily harm directed at Machine Gun Kelly. Why it was said: The track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends. The violent image makes the response sound final: instead of proposing an endless exchange, the artist depicts Machine Gun Kelly as unable to return for another round.

    ContextThe track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends.

  15. 59

    Turn down for what?

    60

    I ain't loud enough, nah, turn the Valium up (Illa, Illa, Illa)

    61

    'Cause I don't know how I'm gonna get your mouths to shut

    62

    Now when it doesn't matter what caliber

  16. 63

    I spit at, I'll bet a hundred thousand bucks

    64

    You'll turn around and just be like, "Man, how the fuck

    65

    Sourpuss gonna get mad just 'cause his album sucks?

    66

    And now he wants to take it out on us" (Ooouuu)

  17. 67

    But last week, an ex-fan mailed me a copy

    68

    Of The Mathers LP to tell me to study

    69

    It'll help me get back to myself and she'll love me (Ooouuu)

    70

    I mailed the bitch back and said if I did that

  18. 71

    I'd just be like everyone else in the fucking industry

    72

    Especially an effing Recovery clone of me (NFing)

    73

    So finger-bang, chicken wang, MGK, Igg' Azae'

    74

    Lil Pump, Lil Xan imitate Lil Wayne

  19. 75

    I should aim at everybody in the game, pick a name

    76

    I'm fed up with bein' humble

    77

    And rumor is I'm hungry, I'm sure you heard rumblings

    78

    I heard you wanna rumble like an empty stomach

  20. 79

    I heard your mumblin' but it's jumbled in mumbo-jumbo

    Multi-line diss block
    80

    The era that I'm from will pummel you, that's what it's comin' to

    81

    What the fuck you're gonna do when you run into it?

    82

    I'm gonna crumble you and I'll take a number two

    Block noteAttacks the target's ability to rap

    TargetMachine Gun Kelly

    MeaningWhat it means: In “I heard your mumblin' but it's jumbled in mumbo-jumbo,” Eminem challenges Machine Gun Kelly on writing, delivery, flow, or command of the microphone rather than relying only on a personal insult. Why it was said: The track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends. This goes to the qualification that gives Machine Gun Kelly standing in a rap battle; if the craft is weak, the reply loses authority before its other claims are considered.

    ContextThe track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends.

  21. 83

    And dump on you, if you ain't Joyner

    84

    If you ain't Kendrick or Cole or Sean, then you're a goner

    85

    I'm 'bout to bring it to anyone in this bitch who want it

    86

    I guess when you walk into BK you expect a Whopper

  22. 87

    You can order a Quarter Pounder when you go to McDonald's

    88

    But if you're lookin' to get a porterhouse you better go get Revival

    89

    But y'all are actin' like I tried to serve you up a slider

    90

    Maybe the vocals shoulda been auto-tuned

  23. 91

    And you woulda bought it

    Multi-line diss block
    92

    But sayin' I no longer got it

    93

    'Cause you missed a line and never caught it

    94

    'Cause it went over your head, because you're too stupid to get it

    Block noteQuestions the target's judgment

    TargetMachine Gun Kelly

    MeaningWhat it means: In “'Cause it went over your head, because you're too stupid to get it,” Eminem characterizes Machine Gun Kelly as unintelligent, careless, or unable to understand the situation being addressed. Why it was said: The track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends. The insult makes the target's decisions part of the evidence: a poor response can be framed not as strategy, but as proof that Machine Gun Kelly never understood the contest.

    ContextThe track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends.

  24. 95

    'Cause you're mentally retarded, but pretend to be the smartest

    Multi-line diss block
    96

    With your expertise and knowledge, but you'll never be an artist

    97

    And I'm harder on myself than you could ever be regardless

    98

    What I'll never be is flawless, all I'll ever be is honest (Illa, Illa, Illa)

    Block noteTreats the target's persona as fabricated

    TargetMachine Gun Kelly

    MeaningWhat it means: In “'Cause you're mentally retarded, but pretend to be the smartest,” Eminem says Machine Gun Kelly's public story or image is false rather than a reliable account of who the target is. Why it was said: The track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends. Once the persona is presented as invented, the boasts and accusations built on it become easier for listeners to dismiss.

    ContextThe track answers criticism of Eminem's music and attacks named commentators, rival rappers, and broader industry trends.

  25. 99

    Even when I'm gone they're gonna say I brought it

    100

    Even when I hit my forties like a fuckin' alcoholic

    101

    With a bottle full of malt liquor

    102

    But I couldn't bottle this shit any longer

  26. 103

    The fact that I know that I'ma hit my bottom

    104

    If I don't pull myself from the jaws of defeat and rise to my feet

    105

    I don't see why y'all even started with me

    106

    I get in beefs, my enemies die

  27. 107

    I don't cease fire 'til at least all are deceased

    108

    I'm east side, never be caught slippin'

    109

    Now you see why I don't sleep, not even a wink, I don't blink

    110

    I don't doze off, I don't even nod to the beats

  28. 111

    I don't even close my fuckin' eyes when I sneeze

    112

    "Aw, man, that BET cypher was weak, it was garbage

    113

    The Thing ain't even orange, oh my God, that's a reach"

    114

    Shout to all my colorblind people

  29. 115

    Each and everyone of y'all, if you call a fire engine green

    116

    Aquamarine, or you think water is pink

    117

    "Dawg, that's a date" — "Looks like an olive to me"

    118

    "Look, there's an apple" — "No, it's not, it's a peach"

  30. 119

    So finger-bang, Pootie Tang

    120

    Burger King, Gucci Gang, dookie, dang

    121

    Charlamagne gonna hate anyway, doesn't matter what I say

    122

    Give me Donkey of the Day

  31. 123

    What a way for 2018 to get underway

    124

    But I'm gonna say everything that I wanna say

    125

    Welcome to the slaughterhouse, bitch (Yeah)

    126

    Invite 'em in like a One A Day

  32. 127

    I'm not done (Preach)

    128

    'Cause I feel like the beast of burden

    129

    That line in the sand, was it even worth it?

    130

    'Cause the way I see people turning's

  33. 131

    Makin' it seem worthless, it's startin' to defeat the purpose

    132

    I'm watchin' my fan base shrink to thirds

    133

    And I was just tryin' to do the right thing, but word

    134

    Has the court of public opinion reached a verdict

  34. 135

    Or still yet to be determined?

    136

    'Cause I'm determined to be me, critiqued or worshipped

    137

    But if I could go back, I'd at least reword it

    138

    And say I empathize with the people this evil serpent

  35. 139

    Sold the dream to that he's deserted

    140

    But I think it's workin'

    141

    These verses are makin' him a wee bit nervous

    142

    And he's too scurred to answer me with words

  36. 143

    'Cause he knows that he will lyrically get murdered

    144

    But I know at least he's heard it

    145

    'Cause Agent Orange just sent the Secret Service

    146

    To meet in person to see if I really think of hurtin' him

  37. 147

    Or ask if I'm linked to terrorists

    148

    I said, "Only when it comes to ink and lyricists"

    149

    But my beef is more media journalists

    150

    (Hold up, hold up, hold up)

  38. 151

    I said, my beef is more meaty, a journalist

    152

    Can get a mouthful of flesh

    153

    And yes, I mean eating a penis

    154

    'Cause they've been pannin' my album to death

  39. 155

    So I've been givin' the media fingers

    156

    Don't wanna turn this to a counseling sesh

    157

    But they've been puttin' me through the ringer

    158

    So I ain't ironin' shit out with the press

  40. 159

    But I just took this beat to the cleaners