Symba Makes a Bold Statement: ‘I’m Better Than Eminem—He Just Rhymes Words’

Symba has joined the growing list of contrarians who think Eminem isn’t as great as he is made out to be, even going so far as to claim that he’s a better MC than the self-proclaimed Rap God.

During a panel discussion called “The Great Debate” at REVOLT WORLD in Atlanta, Georgia this past weekend, the California native caused a stir when he ranked himself above the “Lose Yourself” hitmaker and suggested that his lyrical content is all style and no substance.

“I respect Eminem on a level as a man,” he began. “But as a rapper, I feel like I can name five better rappers.”

After acknowledging Em’s “fire” catalog, fellow panelist Tierra Whack outright asked him: “Wait, soo you think you’re better than Eminem?”

“Yes,” he responded after some hesitation. “Anybody can rhyme words, [but] what are you saying?”

Despite his colossal success, criticism has followed Eminem his entire career even as he settles into his veteran years.

Just last year, The Game proclaimed during his alcohol-fueled Drink Champs interview that’s a “better rapper” than the Detroit native and even challenged him to a Verzuz battle.

Soon after, the Compton native posted an Instagram video doubling down on his bold comments.

“When y’all say Eminem is better and all that, I see it, I see it. I feel you,” he said. “And you know what? If you feel like Eminem is better than me, that’s your opinion. But it’s a lot of people that feel like I’m better than Eminem, and that’s they opinion. Me personally?

“Is Eminem better than me? Nah, he not, bro. And I think the best way to see if he is or if I am is let’s rap about it. Let’s get up. Let’s get in the studio. Let’s rap about it. Let’s do something. Let’s put something out. Let’s see ’cause that’s what this shit is, bro. It’s rap.”

In November 2022, The Game released Drillmatic – The Heart vs. The Mind, which included a 10-plus minute diss track called “The Black Slim Shady.”

Eminem eventually fired back on “Realest,” a collaboration with his newest Shady Records artist Ez Mil that dropped in August.

“All the envious rappers I’d torch if I’m on a joint with ’em/ And that is the only retort is I’m not played in the clubs, muthafucka put a cork in it/ Only reason they still play your shit in the clubs is ’cause you still perform in ’em,” he rapped.