In a fiery, pointed interview, Benzino is back at it, claiming that there has been a music industry cover-up this time of Eminem's early racist lyrics. The former Source magazine executive isn't pulling punches, calling out those who shaped and protected the Slim Shady image for a free pass.
"Why is he so afraid to do interviews with Black media in 20-something years of his career? These are the questions Benzino posed, throwing down the gauntlet. "He'll expose himself."
Central to Benzino's rage is what he believes to be insincerity. According to him, black artists are often subject to greater scrutiny and consequences for much less than what has been done to Eminem, who was once praised as Hip-Hop's most successful white rapper and is protected by influential players in the industry.
Benzino implied to Eminem's early recordings, some of which resurfaced years ago and were heavily criticized for racial slurs. He argues that Eminem was not the confused adolescent, as has long been the official story, but a 21-year-old adult who ought to have known better.
"He was 21 when he recorded those tracks," Benzino said of Eminem. "But the label came out and said he was 16 and had a Black girlfriend. Come on, man. That's an insult to our intelligence."
He was no more prudent regarding industry powerhouses like Universal and Jimmy Iovine, whom he accused of spinning a yarn to maintain a good face and preserve a valuable brand. Benzino said these executives met under lock and key and devised a strategic plan to quiet public anger.
"They went into a room and they said, 'We need to fix this,'" he said, arguing that the "heartbroken teenager" angle was created to quiet the backlash.
To Benzino, it is about more than beef; it is a discussion about power dynamics, race, and the selective memory of an industry that frequently decides who gets canceled and who gets a pass.
While some may see it as reigniting a past beef, Benzino argues this is about justice for the culture that built Hip-Hop and the proper respect for it. He wants people to be held to account not just the artists but the executives pulling the strings, moving in the shadows, who shaped the narrative of their lives.
Benzino may not be everyone's favorite, but he doesn't hold his tongue and isn't letting this one go. To him, the problem isn't just Eminem, but what happens when power and privilege erase history, and who gets hurt along the way?
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