Rhymefest Explains Why He Wasn’t Offended When Eminem Called Him The N-Word During Rap Battle

Chicago MC Rhymefest recently recalled going toe-to-toe against Eminem in a rap battle before either one of them made it big, claiming that Em called him the N-Word in the heat of battle, but that he never took offense.

The two wordsmiths battled each other in Cincinnati during 1998 Scribble Jam, with Rhymefest calling it the “biggest battle in the midwest” and one of the biggest battle rap platforms in the country.

“I battled Eminem, and that was the first time a white guy ever called me a ni**a,” Rhymefest shared before quoting the exact bar.

“He said, ‘I let my razor split you ’til they have to staple stitch you. This ni**a took my facial tissue and turned it into a racial issue,’” Rhyme quoted with a laugh. “And you couldn’t even be mad. Because I realized something about racism that day. It’s why Family Guy works, it’s only good when it’s funny. It only is non-offensive when it’s dope.

“Had you said that sh*t and it had not been dope, it would’ve been a problem,” Fest continued. “But, you so cold and courageous, that you did it and got away with it. And then I had to bust out Skillz,” he added, saying he had to challenge himself beyond “white boy rapper” barbs to win the battle, though he acknowledges that Em ultimately “won the war.” Listen to the artist and ghostwriter share his own story below.