Eminem

Eight Mile Style sued Meta in the United States, alleging unauthorised use of an extensive catalogue of compositions associated with Eminem on the group's platforms. In June 2026, the court allowed the direct infringement claim to proceed but dismissed theories of contributory and vicarious liability.

State of the evidence

Documented

A line in 'Unaccommodating' referring to the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing was condemned by victims' relatives and local officials, who considered it unnecessarily hurtful.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

Following lyrics targeting Donald Trump and a reference to Ivanka Trump, as well as an anti-Trump freestyle broadcast at the BET Hip Hop Awards, Eminem was interviewed by the Secret Service in 2018. Documents obtained in 2019 confirmed the interview.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Eight Mile Style, holder of rights to 'Lose Yourself', sued New Zealand's National Party over its use of a track called 'Eminem Esque' in an election advertisement. The High Court found copyright infringement and awarded damages, subsequently modified on appeal.

State of the evidence

Documented

In 'Fall', Eminem used a homophobic slur directed at Tyler, the Creator. The wording prompted strong criticism. In a later interview, Eminem acknowledged that in trying to hurt Tyler he also hurt other people and considered that he had gone too far.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The Source released an old recording made by Eminem as a teenager containing disparaging lyrics about Black women. Eminem acknowledged the recording and apologised, explaining that he recorded it when he was young, angry after a breakup and 'stupid'.

State of the evidence

Documented

An unfinished version of 'We As Americans' released online contained a line about preferring to see 'the president dead'. The Secret Service said it was examining the wording to determine whether it constituted a threat against George W. Bush.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After seeing his then-wife Kimberly Mathers kissing John Guerra outside a bar, Eminem was prosecuted following an altercation during which he possessed an unloaded firearm. He pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon; a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon was dropped. He received two years' probation, with counselling and drug testing.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Directly implicated

In a separate incident in Royal Oak, Eminem was accused of brandishing a firearm during a confrontation with an associate of Insane Clown Posse. He pleaded no contest to charges involving carrying and brandishing a weapon and received one year's probation and a fine.

Attribution

Directly implicated

Debbie Mathers sued her son for defamation, arguing that lyrics, interviews and public portrayals described her falsely and harmed her reputation. The case ended in a $25,000 settlement; after costs and legal fees, the amount she reportedly received personally was very small.

State of the evidence

Settlement

Attribution

Accused

The success of 'The Marshall Mathers LP' was accompanied by major objections to lyrics described by organisations and critics as misogynistic and homophobic. GLAAD notably protested around the Grammy Awards, while some venues and authorities considered restrictions on his concerts.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated