During a recent appearance on the show Tea Time with Raven and Miranda, rapper Lil Yachty shared his perspective on being mentioned in a diss by Eminem in the 2018 track “The Ringer.” Rather than feeling offended, Yachty described the experience as “amazing,” highlighting his appreciation for being acknowledged by one of hip-hop’s biggest names.
When asked about Eminem’s mention of him, Yachty stated, “Eminem actually dissed me, but I thought it was amazing. If you say my name, it’s like, you could’ve said anyone’s name. So, you’re saying my name? I’m like, ‘That’s kinda fire.'” Eminem’s lyrics included a line where he expressed his thoughts on Yachty’s style, rapping: “Do you have any idea how much I hate this choppy flow / Everyone copies though? Probably no… I can see why people like Lil Yachty, but not me though / Not even dissin’, it just ain’t for me. All I am simply is just an MC.”
Yachty’s upbeat reaction to the diss has resonated with fans on social media. One user commented on Instagram that while the lyrics were indeed a diss, they saw no reason to be upset. Another user interpreted Eminem’s words as a clever acknowledgment of the evolving hip-hop landscape, suggesting that the Detroit native was not genuinely attacking Yachty, but rather expressing his preference for traditional rap.
Reflecting on Longevity in Hip-Hop
Lil Yachty’s candid remarks come as he approaches the 10-year anniversary of his debut commercial mixtape, Lil Boat, released in March 2015. In a recent Instagram video, he reflected on his journey in the music industry, noting the skepticism he faced early in his career. “First they said I was a one-hit wonder,” he recalled, referring to his breakout song “One Night.” Yachty continued, “They were like, ‘You’re not going to make it past ‘One Night.’ That’s it.’ Then they said ‘one year.’ Like, ‘We won’t hear him by next year.’ Then it became the average rapper has a lifespan of five years. And now the conversation is, ‘How is he still relevant?'”
His reflections underscore the challenges faced by artists in maintaining longevity in a rapidly changing industry. The music scene is known for its transient nature, where many artists struggle to remain in the spotlight after their initial success. Yet, Yachty’s ability to adapt and evolve his sound has contributed to his sustained presence.
As he prepares to celebrate a decade in the industry, Lil Yachty’s positive outlook and resilience serve as an inspiration to emerging artists navigating the complexities of the music world. With his unique style and willingness to embrace both criticism and praise, Yachty continues to make his mark in hip-hop, proving that longevity is achievable with creativity and hard work.
