Millennials and Gen Z in TikTok war over calls to ‘cancel’ Eminem

Reuben Pinder

The culture war nobody asked for

Do you remember the online culture war that occurred when Gen Z discovered popular sitcom Friends? When they all discovered that Ross is a bit of a controlling arsehole and the characters weren’t perfect but in fact – wait for it – flawed human beings in a comedy programme? And then started a long, tedious discourse about cancelling the show.

In some ways they were right of course. Ross is a dick, Chandler’s insecurities around people thinking he might be gay were not indicative of a man completely secure with his masculinity but… People are flawed. It was made in the 1990s. It’s still a good show.

We’re currently seeing a similar phenomenon, this time with hip-hop legend Eminem. This time, Gen Z are discovering that – wait for it – some of his lyrics are problematic. I know, who’d have thought?

The hashtag #CancelEminem was trending on TikTok after young users discovered some rather violent lyrics in his duet with Rihanna, Love The Way You Lie, specifically the line about tying his lover to a bed and setting the house on fire.

A violent image, for sure. Not a message to be endorsed. One of a long list of problematic, violent lyrics in Eminem’s discography.

@snmmerrto everyone that is canceling him I literally love u?

♬ love the way you lie – sam

You might think this is a bit embarrassing. Rappers have always rapped about violence. But what’s more embarrassing has been the response from Millennials, who grew up listening to Eminem when he was in his pomp.

They’ve got rather precious over his legacy and responded by rapping their responses in TikTok videos. It’s like a watered down, pathetic version of 8 Mile.

Exhibit A.

https://twitter.com/femcelgirlboss/status/1366561133612568577

I know, I couldn’t make it through more than 10 seconds either.

This whole beef seems to be part of a wider battle between the two generations, with the younger lot seemingly rattling grown adults by saying things like ‘skinny jeans aren’t cool anymore.’

Here is another example of an embarrassingly bad viral diss aimed at an entire generation of young adults.