Say My Name
Eminem feat. Xzibit Lyrics

This ain't beef, man
The rapper doesn't see this as a serious argument, but something more petty.

I don't know what the fuck to call it
The situation is difficult to define.

But no beef
He reiterates that this isn't an actual beef, just a disagreement.

What up, X?
Addressing Xzibit.

Just hit 'em
Encouragement to physically attack the other person.

I float like Big's spirit in this bitch, I'm ghostly
I move with grace, like the late rapper Notorious B.I.G's spirit, making it difficult for others to catch me.

Rush me, 'cause you ain't gonna live to roast me
If someone tries to attack me, they won't survive to make fun of me after.

I'll have my motherfuckin' ass kicked by Moby
He doesn't care if he looks weak, even if it's because he was beaten up by someone like Moby.

If I let some bitch in the can like 'Bis cop over me
If he lets someone get the better of him, it would be like the rapper 'Bis being arrested as a cop.

To do war and try to bring my crew back down
The other person is trying to start a battle to ruin his reputation or group.

I'll never stoop to that level to do that now
He won't resort to their tactics.

I got a new cat, this time I'm pullin' two gats out
He's better equipped for battle this time, with two guns to fight back.

With bullets, I finally got somethin' to shoot at now
He has a target to aim at.

Let's see who got they city on lock
Let's see who has control over their city.

Let's see who got the better aim with the Glock
Let's see who is a better shot with their gun.

Let's see who come out on top
Let's see who wins the fight.

Let's see who really want their name in the streets
Let's see who wants to be known as a tough guy in the rap scene.

Let's see who wanna die the same time as me and make ends meet
Let's see who is willing to die alongside him for their reputation.

Now was I blessed with a gift or cursed with a curse?
He wonders if his talent is a blessing or a burden.

I follow hearse after hearse, spit verse after verse
He sees himself as a talented rapper who will outlast others in the industry.

And I'll be damned if I let Billy 'Dance' Dupri
He won't allow someone like Billy 'Dance' Dupri to mess with his family.

Or anybody swing an axe at my family tree, so now
He won't let anyone disrespect his family.

I love it when you niggas be talkin', sayin' my name
He enjoys it when other rappers talk about him in their music.

Seems like your mouth is not connected to your brain
The rapper believes that the other person is speaking without thinking first.

Two-zero-zero-three, and shit, it ain't the same
The rap industry has changed since the early 2000s.

Better have a strap, my nigga, simple and plain
He advises others to carry a gun for their protection.

Put your nuts on the table, my nigga, let's play the game
He challenges others to prove their toughness.

Hurt you so long, you'll be addicted to pain
He can inflict so much pain that the other person will become addicted to it.

I don't wanna hear what you meant, do not explain
He doesn't want to hear explanations or excuses.

Right before you lay in your coffin, ho, say my name
He wants to be remembered as someone who is respected and feared even after death.

Why do you hate me? (Hate me)
He doesn't understand why people might hate him.

I came from nothin', blood sweat and tears, you did not create me
He worked hard to become successful, and nobody can take credit for his talent.

How can you doubt me? (Doubt me)
He doesn't understand why people don't believe in his abilities.

You don't know shit about me, there'd be no West Coast without me
He believes he's an important part of the West Coast rap scene.

Cut with the bullshit (bullshit)
Stop with the lies and get to the point.

I struggle for survival and now you tryna act like my rival
He had to struggle to make it in the industry, and now someone is trying to compete with him.

Watch what you say, partner, it's a small earth
Be careful what you say, because the world is small and people talk.

Don't play games with your life, nigga, it's not worth
Don't take risks with your life, it's not worth it.

All the pain (all the pain), all the agony (all the agony)
He's had to experience a lot of suffering to get where he is.

All the horror (all the horror), all the tragedy (all the tragedy)
He's had to witness a lot of disturbing things.

Put your hands up people, it's time to fight now
Get ready for battle.

I beat holes in your chest, remain hostile
He'll fight fiercely and won't back down easily.

Threaten my life? (Come on)
He's not afraid of those who threaten him.

One day you'll understand
The other person will eventually learn to respect him.

They say that pride is the sign of a foolish man
They say pride is a negative trait, but he believes it's what's made him successful.

So who the fuck you think you talkin' to?
He's questioning the other person's audacity to confront him.

Live and direct in the flesh, I'm right in front of you
He's challenging the other person to confront him directly.

I never really smashed on Jermaine's ass, Dre smashed him
He clarifies that he didn't actually attack Jermaine, but that it was Dre who did so.

Nobody ganged up 'til he came back and jacked him
Jermaine was only attacked again after he had already recovered from his first attack.

I never really brought it to his ass, I tapped him
He didn't hit Jermaine as hard as he could have.

I could have been like Treach, poom-papped and slapped him
He could have beaten Jermaine more severely, like rapper Treach did in a previous altercation.

Purple, for mimicking him with two rappin' Urkels
Someone was impersonating him and doing a poor job of it.

I could of snapped, took it past rap and hurt you
He could have physically attacked the other person if he wanted to.

But I didn't, I kept it on wax and served you
He chose to channel his anger into his music instead of physical violence.

I square dance 'cause I'm sick of rappin' circles
He's tired of the same old rap battles and wants to try something different.

Around these clowns, steady tryna call me out
Other rappers are constantly challenging him.

It's like I'm listening to motherfuckin' dogs meow
He thinks the other rappers sound ridiculous.

You'd probably do better tryna come and stomp me out
Attacking him physically would be more effective than trying to out-rap him.

You don't want it with rap, this is what I'm all about, come on
He's confident in his abilities as a rapper.

(I) No gangsta, you ain't either
Neither of them are actual gangsters.

(Will) But I know that I spit ether
He knows he's a talented rapper.

(Not) I shit across your belly
He'll humiliate the other person if they cross him.

(Lose) Show you I'm not R. Kelly
He doesn't want to be compared to the controversial R&B singer.

X, pass me the weed
Asking Xzibit to give him some marijuana.

I'ma put my ashes out on his ass for the last time, man
He's threatening to use his marijuana as a weapon.

Watch your fuckin' mouth
He warns the other person to be careful about what they say.

It's the last time, man
He's done with the argument and doesn't want to continue.

I'm through
He's finished with the situation.