Is Eminem the GOAT of Detroit? This Rapper Doesn't Think So

Kendrick dropped the “Not Like Us” music video yesterday, and it’s full of visuals subliminally dissing Drake. Being called a colonizer on the 4th of July is diabolical work. In other news today:

• Bronny James’ NBA contract & jersey stirs controversy 🏀 

• This rapper doesn’t think Eminem is the GOAT Detroit rapper 🐐 

• New Music Friday releases 💿️ 

• Industry Insights 📈 

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Bronny James Pays Tribute to Juice WRLD With Lakers' Jersey

Lebron and Bronny James upgraded from father and son to teammates. On June 27, Bronny was selected by the LA Lakers as the 55th pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.

He was officially introduced as a Lakers player on July 2, where he talked about being in the league with his dad, the criticism he’s facing, and the significance of his jersey number.

Bronny’s NBA contract stirs controversy

Bronny being drafted to the same team as his father was sure to elicit jokes and nepo baby allegations. But the details of his contract did little to negate the criticism. He signed a four-year deal with the Lakers worth $7.9M.

It’s a one-way deal with the first three years guaranteed and the fourth year as a team option. In non-NBA language, this means he won’t be sent to the G League (two-way deal), which is common for many second-round draft picks. 

Since 2019, all the 55th draft picks except Bronny have signed two-way, non-guaranteed deals. The G League helps new players develop to ease the transition from college ball to the NBA, which has drastic differences in athleticism, experience, and environment.

In Bronny’s first press conference as a Lakers, he addressed the skepticism surrounding his draft. ​​ “I’ve already seen it on social media and stuff [...] talking about that I might not deserve an opportunity. But I’ve been dealing with stuff like this my whole life. So it’s nothing different. But it’s more amplified, for sure. But I’ll get through it.”

That amplified amount of pressure might explain why he chose a jersey number that pays tribute to one of his favorite rappers, who helps keep him calm.

Bronny chooses #9 for Juice WRLD

During the press conference, he revealed that he chose #9 to honor Juice WRLD's life and legacy.

“Juice has just been a big part of me keeping calm in some situations that I’ve been through,” he said. “So yeah, just paying homage to him, especially ’cause he passed. You know, it’s a really important thing for me,” Bronny said during the conference.

Bronny’s love of Juice WRLD goes far beyond just the jersey number. He has “999” tattooed behind his ear as another way to honor the rapper, who also has the same tat.

He constantly uses Juice WRLD’s music on his social media. In numerology (the study of numbers), the set of numbers is seen as a sign of completion or the beginning/end of one of life’s phases—and Bronny’s legacy is just getting started.

Is Eminem the GOAT of Detroit? This Rapper Doesn’t Think So

From “My Name Is” to “Houdini,” Eminem has maintained his status as one of the best rappers for decades. But those native to his hometown don’t think he’s the GOAT rapper of Detroit—at least according to Skilla Baby.

Who is the best Detroit rapper?

During an interview with Keke Palmer, released July 2, Skilla Baby (who is also from Detroit) shared his thoughts on who is the best rapper from the city.

“Numbers wise, Eminem is the best Detroit rapper but the gag is nobody would say that in Detroit…Everybody had a turn being Detroit’s favorite rapper. Sada Baby had a turn, Tee Grizzley had a turn, Babyface Ray had a turn…Everybody had their turn being the best in the city. What we lack is consistency. Nobody has consistently been Detroit’s favorite rapper,” he said during the interview.

Discussing how he has been an Eminem fan since childhood, Skilla Baby said he doesn’t think the city sees Slim Shady as their best rapper.

Even though he later went on Instagram to add other Detroit rappers like Kash Doll and Big Sean to his list of “great rappers,” Skilla Baby stood on business.

Eminem, on the other hand, has a completely different view of who he is in the rap game.

Eminem defends his legend status

On his new song “Tobey” with other Detroit rappers BabyTron and Big Sean, Slim Shady fired back against the naysayers. 

First throwing his hat in the ring of the GOAT rap debate, he spat “Tobey Maguire got bit by a spider, but see, me, it was a goat.”

He went on to say that he wasn’t “feelin' your top five favorite rappers, So I know they 'bout to be pissed at me, But this, to me, is a mystery, How rappers I've already ripped could be, higher up on a list than me, Yet here I sit on your list though at five, which still is fine, But just know inside, to me, that s**** hilarious.”

His lyrics refer to Billboard’s 2023 list of the greatest rappers of all time. He also fired shots at the pioneer rapper Melle Mel, who had scathing critiques of Eminem’s role in rap as a white man after the list was published.

“But just know inside, to me, that shit's hilarious, so when I, get dissed though and by a pioneer, Who was one of the reasons why I am here, They tell me I should just let that shit go and slide, "Melle Mel shouldn't get no reply", "That man is a legend," b****, so am I,” Eminem said on the track.

His next album might be called The Death of Slim Shady, but Eminem is nowhere close to being done defending his name or impact from anyone who tries him.

New Music Friday

Here’s all the music you can listen to now—categorized by 💿️ for albums and 🎶 for singles:

• 💿️ A Great Chaos (Deluxe) by Ken Carson

• 💿️ 4eva Us Neva Them by 42 Dugg

• 💿️ Despicable Me 4 Soundtrack by Pharrell

• 💿️ Hotel Diablo: floor 13 edition (deluxe) by MGK

• 💿️ On Zai by YTB FATT

• 🎶 “Tobey” by Eminem, Big Sean, BabyTron (out now)

• 🎶 “Tough” by Quavo, Lana Del Rey (out now)

• 🎶 “Girls Around The World” by Tory Lanez

• 🎶 “Lil Angel” by Lil Peep

• 🎶 “Ah’Chi” by Rich Homie Quan, 2 Chainz

• 🎶 “Lithonia” by Childish Gambino (out now)

• 🎶 “To The Moon” by French Montana, Fivio Foreign, Fabolous

• “The Pop Out” is still strong in Inglewood. The iconic photo taken at the Juneteenth celebration is now appearing on billboards in the area. 

• Diddy is selling property. His L.A. mansion is up for grabs for $70 million dollars in the midst of his growing legal drama. 

• Cardi B was hit with a new lawsuit. She was accused of copyright infringement by two musicians over her song “Enough (Miami).”

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