The Unlikely Feud: 5 Key Moments In The Nick Cannon And Eminem Beef And Its Current Status

As of late 2025, the long-simmering rivalry between media mogul Nick Cannon and rap legend Eminem remains one of the most unlikely and talked-about hip-hop feuds of the modern era. While the most intense lyrical shots were fired years ago, the legacy of this decade-long beef—which began over a decade ago with a simple mention of Mariah Carey—continues to spark debate among fans and industry insiders, with Cannon himself occasionally reigniting the conversation with fresh commentary.

The core of the conflict revolves around Eminem’s history of controversial lyrics about Nick Cannon's ex-wife, Mariah Carey, which Cannon took as an unforgivable personal attack. This animosity escalated into a spectacular, albeit one-sided, exchange of diss tracks in late 2019. Despite the lack of a recent lyrical response from Eminem, Nick Cannon has repeatedly declared himself the winner, making the *current status* of the beef a matter of perspective and public perception rather than ongoing musical warfare.

The Titans of the Feud: A Dual Biography Profile

The Nick Cannon vs. Eminem rivalry pits a prolific television personality and entrepreneur against one of the most technically gifted and successful rappers of all time. Their backgrounds and career trajectories couldn't be more different, yet their paths crossed in a high-profile, decade-spanning feud.

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Nick Cannon: The Entrepreneurial Juggernaut

• Full Name: Nicholas Scott Cannon
• Born: October 8, 1980 (San Diego, California)
• Primary Professions: Comedian, Television Presenter, Actor, Rapper, Producer, Director.
• Notable Works: Creator and host of Wild 'N Out, host of The Masked Singer, roles in films like Drumline.
• Key Relationships: Married to Mariah Carey from 2008 to 2016.
• Current Status: A prominent figure in media production and known for his large family.

Eminem: The Rap God

• Full Name: Marshall Bruce Mathers III
• Born: October 17, 1972 (St. Joseph, Missouri)
• Primary Professions: Rapper, Songwriter, Record Producer, Actor.
• Notable Works: Albums The Slim Shady LP, The Marshall Mathers LP, The Eminem Show; film 8 Mile.
• Accolades: 15 Grammy Awards, Academy Award for Best Original Song ("Lose Yourself").
• Key Relationships: Known for his volatile relationship with ex-wife Kimberly Anne "Kim" Scott.
• Current Status: Continues to be one of the best-selling music artists of all time and a respected lyrical technician.

The Decades-Long Timeline: From Mariah Carey to Diss Tracks

The roots of the Nick Cannon and Eminem beef stretch back over 15 years, originating from Eminem’s alleged brief relationship with Mariah Carey and his subsequent lyrical attacks. The feud can be broken down into three distinct phases.

Phase 1: The 2009 Ignition Point

The rivalry officially began in May 2009 with the release of Eminem’s track "Bagpipes from Baghdad" from his album Relapse. In the song, Eminem directly targeted both Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, claiming he was still in love with Carey and mocking their marriage. This was a clear escalation from years of subtle jabs.

Nick Cannon quickly responded, not with a diss track, but through a blog post defending his wife and challenging Eminem to a physical fight. The following year, Mariah Carey released the song "Obsessed," which was widely interpreted as a response to Eminem, complete with a music video featuring her dressed as a stalker resembling the rapper. Eminem responded to "Obsessed" with his own track, "The Warning," which contained graphic and personal details, effectively ending the first round of the battle.

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Phase 2: The 2019 Resurgence on "Lord Above"

After nearly a decade of relative silence, the beef exploded again in December 2019. Eminem featured on Fat Joe's track "Lord Above," where he took a direct shot at Nick Cannon, referencing the marriage and making a crude joke. The line was: "I know me and Mariah didn't end on a high note, but that other dude's whipped, so that's why he ain't high no more."

This verse, which appeared on Fat Joe's album Family Ties, immediately reignited the decade-old tension. Nick Cannon, now the host of his own radio show, initially dismissed the line as "not worthy of a response."

Phase 3: Cannon's Lyrical Barrage

Despite his initial claim, Nick Cannon quickly retaliated with a series of diss tracks. The first, "The Invitation," featured The Black Squad and included personal attacks on Eminem’s family life and drug use. The track was controversial, with many critics and fans arguing it lacked the lyrical precision to challenge the Rap God. Cannon followed up swiftly with a second track, "Pray For Him."

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Eminem’s response was characteristically minimal but effective. He took to Twitter to demand an apology from Cannon for a specific line on "The Invitation." While a formal, full-length diss track from Eminem never materialized, the lack of a full response was seen by many as a strategic move, suggesting Cannon wasn't a worthy opponent for a serious battle, effectively ending the exchange.

The Final Verdict: Who Won The Feud, According to Nick Cannon (2024 Update)

The question of who "won" the beef is highly subjective, but the latest commentary from Nick Cannon offers a definitive, albeit self-serving, perspective. While an associate of Eminem, KXNG Crooked, stated in 2020 that the feud was officially over, Cannon has continued to speak on the topic in the years since.

Cannon’s 2020 and 2024 Claims

In a 2020 interview, Nick Cannon asserted that he believes the beef became "too intense" for Eminem and his long-time collaborator, 50 Cent, to handle. Cannon has also consistently declared himself the victor, stating in one instance, "I won!"

The most recent public comments came in May 2024, amidst the high-profile feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Cannon attempted to insert his own rivalry with Eminem into the conversation, reminding the public of his past lyrical jabs. This move was widely seen by rap commentators as an attempt to leverage the current hip-hop climate to keep his older beef relevant, highlighting that the public perception still leans towards Eminem's refusal to fully engage being the final word.

The Lyrical Reality and Topical Authority

From a technical standpoint, most hip-hop critics agree that Eminem's verse on "Lord Above" was lyrically superior to Cannon's diss tracks, "The Invitation" and "Pray For Him." Eminem’s refusal to release a dedicated response track, similar to his strategy in other minor feuds, is often interpreted as a power move—a sign that he didn't view Nick Cannon as a legitimate threat in the battle rap sphere.

However, Nick Cannon’s success lies in his ability to command media attention. By successfully provoking a response from the notoriously private Marshall Mathers, and by continually keeping the narrative alive through his platforms like Wild 'N Out and his radio shows, Cannon has ensured that his name remains tied to one of the biggest names in rap history. The feud is a perfect example of a lyrical battle (Eminem's strength) versus a media battle (Cannon's strength), where neither side fully concedes defeat.

The Legacy of the Unlikely Rivalry

The feud between Nick Cannon and Eminem is a fascinating case study in celebrity beefs, rooted in the protection of a spouse (Mariah Carey) and the clash of two different entertainment worlds. It highlighted the difference between a lyrical powerhouse and a media strategist.

While the diss tracks have faded into the annals of hip-hop history, the rivalry serves as a reminder that even the most established legends can be drawn into conflict. Today, Nick Cannon has moved on to focus on his extensive family life and media empire, and Eminem continues to solidify his legacy as a Rap God. The beef is not active, but every few years, a comment from Cannon ensures that the memory of "Bagpipes from Baghdad" and "The Invitation" is kept alive for a new generation of hip-hop fans.