For decades, Eminem has been a lightning rod in the music industry, known for his razor-sharp lyricism, unapologetic authenticity, and willingness to confront even the most powerful figures in hip-hop. But on June 3, 2025, the 52-year-old rap legend—whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III—dropped a bombshell that has sent shockwaves through the industry: in a rare interview on his daughter Hailie Jade’s podcast Just a Little Shady, Eminem revealed that Sean “Diddy” Combs had been working behind the scenes for years to undermine his career. The allegations, coming at a time when Diddy faces serious legal battles over sex trafficking and assault charges, have reignited interest in their long-simmering feud, exposing a darker side of the music industry’s power dynamics and leaving fans stunned at the lengths to which Diddy allegedly went to silence one of rap’s greatest voices.

Eminem’s history with Diddy has been marked by subtle but pointed lyrical jabs, dating back to the late 1990s. On an unreleased 1996 track titled “Fucking Crazy,” Eminem rapped, “Original Bad Boy on the case, cover your face / Came in the place blowed, and sprayed Puffy with Mase,” a line that set the tone for their rocky relationship. Over the years, Eminem continued to take shots at Diddy, from 2000’s “Marshall Mathers” where he told Diddy to “get off me, go f*** Puffy,” to his 2018 diss track “Killshot” aimed at Machine Gun Kelly, where he claimed, “The day Diddy admits / That he put the hit out that got Pac killed.” More recently, on his 2024 album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), Eminem referenced Diddy’s sexual assault allegations in tracks like “Fuel,” rapping, “I’m like a R-A-P-E-R / Got so many S-As, S-As / Wait, he didn’t just spell the word, ‘Rapper’ and leave out a P, did he?” These lyrics, now seen as eerily prescient given Diddy’s September 2024 arrest on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, hinted at a deeper tension between the two. But until now, Eminem had never spoken directly about the behind-the-scenes conflict that shaped their feud.

The interview on Just a Little Shady began as a casual conversation between Eminem and Hailie, who welcomed her father to discuss his new role as a grandfather to her three-month-old son, Elliot Marshall McClintock. But the tone shifted when Hailie asked about the inspiration behind some of his recent lyrics targeting Diddy, particularly in light of the mogul’s legal troubles. Eminem, known for his guarded nature, hesitated for a moment before deciding to break his silence. “I’ve been holding this in for a long time,” he said, his voice steady but laced with emotion. “Diddy’s been trying to shut me down since I came up—behind the scenes, in ways people wouldn’t even believe.”

According to Eminem, the conflict began in the late 1990s, when he was rising to fame under the mentorship of Dr. Dre, a former fixture of Death Row Records and a key figure in West Coast hip-hop. Diddy, as the head of Bad Boy Records, was a powerhouse on the East Coast, closely associated with The Notorious B.I.G. The East Coast-West Coast rivalry, which culminated in the murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie in the 1990s, created a tense backdrop for Eminem’s entry into the industry. As a white rapper in a predominantly Black genre, Eminem already faced skepticism, but he claims Diddy saw him as a threat to Bad Boy’s dominance and worked to sabotage his career from the start.

“Diddy didn’t like that I was with Dre, that I was getting shine from the West Coast,” Eminem revealed. “He started spreading rumors early on—saying I was a gimmick, that I didn’t belong in hip-hop, that I wouldn’t last. But it didn’t stop there. He used his influence to keep me off certain radio stations, to block me from awards shows. I’d hear from people in the industry that Diddy was telling execs not to work with me, that I was trouble.” Eminem’s claims paint a picture of a calculated effort to marginalize him, leveraging Diddy’s clout as a music mogul to control narratives and opportunities in the industry.

One of the most shocking revelations came when Eminem described an incident in 2001, shortly after the release of The Marshall Mathers LP, which had solidified his status as a global superstar. “I was supposed to perform at this big event in New York—huge exposure, network TV,” Eminem said. “Last minute, I get a call saying I’m off the lineup. I later found out Diddy had made a call, told the organizers I was ‘too controversial,’ that I’d cause problems. That’s when I realized how far he was willing to go to keep me down.” Eminem’s frustration with these behind-the-scenes maneuvers fueled his lyrical jabs over the years, but he kept the full extent of Diddy’s actions private—until now.

Eminem also hinted at a more personal motive behind Diddy’s animosity, suggesting that his association with Dr. Dre and his comments about Tupac’s murder may have struck a nerve. “I’ve always spoken my mind, and when I said stuff about Pac and Biggie, I think Diddy took it personal,” Eminem said, referencing his 2018 “Killshot” line about Diddy’s alleged involvement in Tupac’s death. “I wasn’t just some kid he could control—I was calling out things other people were too scared to say. And he didn’t like that.” Fans have long speculated about Diddy’s role in the murders of Tupac and Biggie, theories that gained traction with the 2023 arrest of Duane “Keefe D” Davis, who was charged in connection to Tupac’s death and reportedly implicated Diddy in undercover recordings. While Diddy has denied any involvement, Eminem’s lyrics and now his public statements have added fuel to the speculation.

The timing of Eminem’s revelations couldn’t be more significant. Diddy’s arrest in September 2024 on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and prostitution has rocked the music industry, with over 100 lawsuits filed against him, many involving allegations of sexual misconduct at his infamous “freak off” parties. Eminem’s comments come as Diddy’s trial, which began in May 2025, continues to unfold, revealing shocking testimonies from former associates like Cassie Ventura and personal assistants who allege years of abuse. The rapper’s decision to speak out now, while Diddy’s reputation is under scrutiny, suggests that Eminem felt the time was right to shed light on his own experiences with the mogul’s power plays.

Eminem’s revelations have sparked a firestorm on social media, with fans revisiting his past lyrics and praising his foresight. On X, users have called him a “prophet,” pointing to tracks like “Fuel” where he hinted at Diddy’s misconduct long before the allegations became public. “Eminem’s been trying to tell us about Diddy for years,” one user wrote, echoing a sentiment shared by many. Others have expressed admiration for his resilience, noting that despite Diddy’s alleged efforts to derail his career, Eminem has remained one of the most influential artists in music history, with over 220 million records sold worldwide and a 2022 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

For Eminem, speaking out wasn’t about settling a score—it was about reclaiming his narrative and inspiring others to stand up to industry gatekeepers. “I’ve seen how this game works, how people like Diddy try to control you,” he told Hailie on the podcast. “But I never let him stop me. I kept going, kept speaking my truth. And I want kids coming up now to know they don’t have to bow down to anyone.” Eminem’s words carry the weight of his own journey—from a struggling kid in Detroit to a global icon who has overcome poverty, addiction, and industry politics to build a legacy that transcends hip-hop.

As Diddy’s trial continues, with more revelations expected in the coming weeks, Eminem’s interview has added a new layer to the narrative surrounding the disgraced mogul. It also serves as a reminder of Eminem’s enduring impact—not just as a rapper, but as a voice for those who refuse to be silenced. While Diddy’s legal team has denied all allegations against him, the court of public opinion has already begun to shift, with Eminem’s revelations playing a pivotal role in exposing the power dynamics that have long operated behind the scenes in the music industry. For a man who once rapped “I’m not afraid to take a stand,” Eminem’s decision to break his silence on Diddy’s alleged sabotage is a powerful testament to his courage—and a warning to those who underestimate him.