A resurfaced story has once again highlighted the surprising connection between Eminem and Lana Del Rey.
Back in 2014, Slim Shady caused a stir with a freestyle that mentioned Lana’s name in a controversial punchline. While the line sparked debate online, Lana herself never reacted, and over the years, she has only spoken with admiration about Eminem’s artistry.
In an early-career interview, Lana revealed how strongly the rapper shaped her own approach to music:
“When I found Eminem for the first time, he really changed my life. I found out music could be intelligent. He was talking about his own life, he wasn’t just rhyming over music for rhyme’s sake, he was talking about the way things were. It made me think, like, I wouldn’t rap, but I could talk about the way things actually were instead of just making stupid music and trying to sell it. And also, he’s a genius. He just happens to be a genius. I love him…
Eminem is the master of lyrics, whereas Frank Sinatra is the master of vocals. I fucking love Eminem”.
For Lana, Eminem showed that songs could be deeply personal and honest. Ironically, the 2014 freestyle that mentioned her name was likely just Slim Shady indulging in his trademark shock rhymes.
Over a decade later, there’s no feud between the two. Lana has continued to cite Eminem as an influence (even to Billie Eilish), even sharing a clip of herself listening to “Lose Yourself” in 2020. For fans, the connection remains a fascinating reminder of how Eminem’s impact extends far beyond the world of hip hop.
