Eminem Releases New Single 'Houdini' Referencing Megan Thee Stallion

Eminem has unveiled " the lead single from his forthcoming 12th album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)," slated for a summer release.

The track opens with a familiar Eminem motif, featuring a voicemail from his longtime manager Paul Rosenberg expressing disdain for the new album. Rosenberg says, “Hey Em, it’s Paul. I was listening to the album… Good fucking luck, you’re on your own.”

"Houdini" harks back to his 2002 hit "Without Me," with the catchy refrain, “Guess who’s back, back again / Shady’s back, tell a friend.” Produced by Eminem and Luis Resto, the song includes a nod to Steve Miller Band’s “Abracadabra” in the chorus and references Megan Thee Stallion’s shooting incident, with Eminem rapping, “If I was to ask for Megan Thee Stallion if she would collab with me / Would I really have a shot at a feat? I don’t know, but I’m glad to be, back.”

True to form, Eminem courts controversy with lyrics addressing transgender issues, RuPaul, and calling his own children "brats." He raps, “Cancel me, what? Okay, that’s it, go ahead Paul, quit / Snake ass prick, you male cross dresser, fake ass bitch / And I’ll probably get shit for that (watch) / But you can all suck my dick, in fact, fuck them / Fuck Dre, fuck Jimmy, fuck me, fuck you / Fuck my own kids, they’re brats (fuck ’em) / They can screw off, them and you all (yeah) / You too, Paul, got two balls, big as RuPaul’s.”

The music video for “Houdini” pays direct homage to “Without Me,” with Eminem stepping into a portal back to 2002. Shot in a comic strip style, the video features cameos from 50 Cent, Pete Davidson, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Alchemist, and showcases two versions of Eminem — one from 2002 and one from today — performing "Houdini."

Details about “The Death of Slim Shady” have been scarce since its announcement last month. In March, Dr. Dre confirmed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” that Eminem was working on a new project and mentioned he contributed to several tracks. He was set to hear the album the day after his TV appearance.

During the NFL Draft in April, Eminem teased "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)" with a Detroit Murder Files crime show promo, implying the end of his alter ego. Recently, a mock obituary for Slim Shady appeared in the Detroit Free Press.

Earlier this week, Eminem revealed “Houdini” as the first single through an Instagram Reel with magician David Blaine, saying, “For my last trick, I’m going to make my career disappear.”