Eminem drops surprise album—and Ariana Grande fans are furious

No wonder Eminem hasn’t found the time to respond to Nick Cannon’s slew of diss tracks.

The 47-year-old rapper was too busy preparing for the surprise drop of his new album, Music To Be Murdered By. Eminem’s 11th album was released, unannounced, early Friday morning. Unashamedly taking aim at gun violence in America, the album is quintessential Eminem, meaning it wasted little time in sparking controversy. While Eminem fans are already praising the album for its bold stance and unwavering message, some people blasted the rapper for an insensitive line in one of the album’s tracks. Lyrics about the bombing of an Ariana Grande concert in 2017 immediately garnered criticism from furious Grande fans.

The line in question comes midway through “Unaccommodating,” which immediately follows the album’s intro track. After boasting about his influence on the genre, Eminem raps: “I’m contemplating yelling ‘bombs away’ on the game / like I’m outside of an Ariana Grande concert waiting.”

The lyrics, which reference the 2017 bombing at Manchester Arena during an Ariana Grande concert, are getting criticized for being insensitive. Twenty-two people were killed in the bombing, and 59 others were wounded. Many of the other attendees—including Grande herself—have suffered from continued trauma following the devastating attack. Family members of those that lost their lives, along with irate Grande fans, are blasting Eminem for the line.

“That was a traumatizing event for people who attended in 2017,” one Twitter user wrote. “Some people perished. Ariana was traumatized from the event. I know he says crazy things but, this outta line!”

People quickly pounced on the line, and criticism overtook social media. In no time, #EminemIsOverParty was trending on Twitter. “I have no words for Eminem right now,” one person wrote. “How dare people stan or listen to his music after that? sick. it’s fuckin disrespectful to not just ariana but ofc to the victims who died and their family’s. i cant right now.”

Meanwhile, Eminem fans flocked to his defense, pointing out to critics that the rapper has long thrived on controversy. “He has always said controversial things & that’s part of the reason why he’s so successful,” one fan wrote. “I still remember when he called Kim Kardashian a man & made fun of Ellen being lesbian.”

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Others pointed out that after the Manchester attack, Eminem was quick to aid the victims and their families. Just a few days after the bombing, Eminem took to social media to urge his followers to donate to the cause.

In sharp contrast to the Manchester line, the lead track on Music To Be Murdered By, “Darkness,” highlights gun violence in America. The emotional track uses the harrowing Las Vegas shooting as a lens through which to view the devastation gun violence has wrought in the U.S.

H/T BBC