The rap battle between Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) and Eminem was largely considered closed in 2018 with “Killshot” – the diss track many saw as the final verdict from the Rap God. However, the silence did not last. In January 2020, Eminem brought the feud back into the spotlight with “Unaccommodating” from the album Music to Be Murdered By, declaring the war “finished” and stating he had “cleansed MGK of his mortal sins.” This unilateral declaration reignited the impulse for a response from MGK, even as he was transitioning toward the Pop Punk/Rock genre.

In March 2020, MGK released the single “Bullets with Names,” featuring Young Thug, RJMrLA, and Lil Duke. This was not a formal diss track but a boastful rap song. However, within his verse, MGK inserted a highly provocative segment of lyrics that was immediately recognized by fans and media as sharp shots aimed directly at Eminem.

Lyrics Analysis: The section widely believed to target Eminem occurs early in MGK’s verse:

“Look, I got a bullet with somebody’s name on it / I get up on ’em, I don’t need no aim on it / Killed me a G.O.A.T. so my jacket got stains on it / Wipin’ my nose like I got some cocaine on it / Pulled out his coffin and ate me a plate on it / Called up his bitch, showed my dick, let her lay on it.”

“Killed me a G.O.A.T. so my jacket got stains on it”: This is the core line. G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) is a title frequently claimed by or attributed to Eminem. MGK’s open declaration of having “killed a G.O.A.T.” is a direct challenge, implicitly denying Eminem’s legendary status. The line “my jacket got stains on it” suggests he is “stained with blood” from the battle, claiming a symbolic victory in the confrontation.
“Wipin’ my nose like I got some cocaine on it”: This line is a vivid metaphor for recklessness and a swaggering, devil-may-care attitude. It reinforces the image of a young, rebellious MGK, contrasting with the more measured and sober public persona of the older Eminem.
“Pulled out his coffin and ate me a plate on it”: This is an extremely graphic and symbolic insult. “Eating a plate on someone’s coffin” is an ultimate act of disrespect toward a dead foe, suggesting MGK not only “killed” Eminem’s legacy but is now mockingly celebrating over its remains.
“Called up his bitch, showed my dick, let her lay on it”: This is the most controversial and severe line, directly resorting to crude personal attack. In a rap beef, boasting about sleeping with an opponent’s woman is one of the most powerful forms of personal offense. While the lyric does not explicitly name Eminem’s ex-wife, Kim Scott, within the context of this personal feud, it is intended to deeply wound Eminem’s pride.

The timing of “Bullets with Names” is crucial. It was released just months after Eminem’s “Unaccommodating,” indicating MGK’s refusal to accept Eminem’s declaration that the war was “over.” This retaliation asserts that, in MGK’s view, he was not the one whose sins were cleansed, but the one who actually inflicted a casualty on the GOAT.

MGK’s Reaction and New Strategy: Despite the clear act of aggression, MGK did not commit to a prolonged diss track war like in 2018. Instead, “Bullets with Names” is widely viewed as a final, defiant statement before he definitively transitioned to Pop Punk with the album Tickets To My Downfall.

MGK’s move is analyzed from two perspectives:

Maintaining Competitiveness: MGK did not want to be viewed as having “lost” and then quietly fading away after “Killshot.” “Bullets with Names” was a final effort to hold his ground and assert that he was still a formidable force in rap, ready to strike back when provoked.
The Smart Retreat Strategy: Rather than wasting time and talent on a battle where the public sentiment was already decided, MGK issued one last challenge and then physically left the rap battlefield. The genre switch allowed him to escape Eminem’s massive shadow, reduce comparisons and pressure, and build a successful, entirely new fanbase in the rock community.

Eminem’s Response: Following MGK’s “Bullets with Names,” Eminem did not immediately respond with a dedicated diss track. It was only later in 2020 that he dropped “Gnat” in Music to Be Murdered By – Side B, containing the line “I’m still stuck in that mind frame, Machine Gun,” implying MGK was still mentally stuck to him. The delay and the indirect nature of this response suggest Eminem may have consciously decided not to give any more “oxygen” to MGK’s rap career, employing the very strategy he used before.

In conclusion, “Bullets with Names” is a pivotal moment in this protracted feud. It serves as proof that MGK, despite his musical pivot, maintained a defiant and challenging attitude towards Eminem. While MGK did not achieve a win in lyrical technique, he secured a victory in career strategy: he claimed a “casualty” against the GOAT and then moved to a different stage, where he could thrive without living in the shadow of a legend.