So Rick Ross wants to battle Eminem, eh? Ha. Hahahahaha. I guess that would be an improvement of sorts over Ross’ current feud with Em’s pal 50 Cent, which may or may not be the world’s first Web 2.0 rap beef, but is certainly one of the world’s most boring. The fun wouldn’t last long, though. Here’s how this would go if it ever happened: Rick Ross would call Eminem old. Then Eminem would lyrically demolish him. Ross just put out a very solid album, and Eminem’s most recent material has been sorta subpar, but Ross on his best day is simply not coming close to Em on his worst in terms of mic skills. (Ross probably knows this — he also told MTV that he’d like to land a guest verse on Em’s Relapse if the whole battle thing doesn’t happen. Huh?)
What the Ross-Mathers matchup would be missing is the crucial element of evenly matched competitors. It’s just not that much fun watching two artists of different talent levels going at it. As long as we’re talking totally theoretically, I’d much rather see Eminem battle someone like, say, Jay-Z — another lyrical heavyweight who’s faced sideways talk from some quarters about his advancing age. That face-off will never happen, because as far as I know Jay and Em are on friendly terms, and besides, Jay considers himself above petty conflicts. But you can’t deny it would result in some must-hear music. As for Ross? If he really wants to battle someone who makes sense, a natural rival who’s working in the same niche as he is, may I suggest he pick an on-record fight with Andy Samberg?
I kid, I kid! (Sort of.) But you tell me: Which rap stars would you like to see declare lyrical war? Or are you completely over the idea of rap beefs?
More from EW’s Music Mix:
Eminem’s Relapse cover art: What do you think?
Asher Roth: Are you ready for a suburban rap star?
The Clipse and Kanye West’s "Kinda Like a Big Deal": Hear it here
addCredit(“Ross: Mike Coppola/FilmMagic; Eminem: Theo Wargo/WireImage.com”)
Comments (1-15) of 55 Add your comment
“Then Eminem would lyrically demolish him.”
lol, obviously. but seriously, the rap beef thing is stupid, which the dudes who’ve been in the game long enough have realized. and i know Em’s over that mess ever since what he went through with Ja Rule. Ross just wants attention, and like you said, a guest verse on Relapse.
I would love to see Eminem battle against Lupe Fiasco
that would be a raw matchup
Yes eminem would more then demolish him, it would be like killing a flee with a sledgehammer.
Ok rap beefs are overrated these days…but nas is difinitely one that can perform in rap battles.
Em would verbally slaughter Rick Ross. The officer is just doing it to get attention on his new album..he knows Em would kill him w/ just one rhyme
I’d like to see a real MC like
Common battle a new “rapper” like Soulja Boy just to put all this bad hip hop in it’s right place…in the trash
I doubt Eminem would battle him; Rick Ross is black if you didn’t notice… Eminem likes ripping pop stars, you know the real thugs.
U mean popstars like ja rule? like icp? like limp bizcuit (ok ill give it to u wit him…i wudnt call that popstars
I would like to see a real lyrics battle for old white dudes.
Maybe James Taylor vs Paul Simon?
let the battle rage! whose drum machine is better? who can rhyme profanities better? whose “music” will be forgotten in 20 years like Run DMC and Public Enemy? these bozos.
I would rather see both of them do a long rap off of a short pier. Blah.
Eminem would slaughter him.
Rick Ross is lame, if you want to see him really get demolished, look up Murs vs Rick Ross on youtube. Murs murders him and Eminem would too… even though Em;s been sucking it up too… Yeah we get you can make anything rhyme when you do a silly voice! True, though Ross just wants publicity… a battle or a guest spot… LAME!!!!
to the dude who said em won’t go at him cause ross is black. Your a lame dog. Look back, canibus, benzino(half), the only white dude he went at is whitey ford, we know how that went. And we also know he ripped canibus. You REALLY think he wont go at ross? Especially to promote his album? He’s letting ross’ album sell out majority before he gives him the spotlight when he demolishes him. Then the RELAPSE gets promoted. Think about it. Moron. Not to mention 50, dre’s and eminems SECOND round later this year. It’s strategy. And the three headed monster is the mastermind. Watch.
Rick Ross versus Brett from Flight og the Conchords
The only real competition Eminem has is TI; Lil Wayne; Kanye and Jay Z. Any battle involving anyone else is a joke.