Chris Kirkpatrick Reflects on Eminem’s Mention of Him in ‘Without Me’
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Former *NSYNC member, Chris Kirkpatrick, recently shared his surprising experience of being called out by Eminem in the hit single “Without Me”. Kirkpatrick, now 53, recalled the moment during his appearance in CW’s The ’90s Boy Band Boom, where he received multiple text messages informing him of the diss while the group was returning from a show in Miami.
Initially assuming it was a general swipe at boy bands, Kirkpatrick realised he was the specific target of Eminem’s lyrics. He humorously acknowledged, “I love Eminem and *NSYNC rhymes with everything. *NSYNC, stink, you know. It’s really not that hard.” However, as the messages clarified it was him personally being mentioned, Kirkpatrick found it hard to see how his name could fit into a rhyme until he heard the line, ‘Get your ass kicked’ and realised the connection.
The unexpected call-out left Kirkpatrick questioning if he now had a beef with Eminem, expressing his initial reaction as, ‘What does this mean? Do I have beef now? Is this, are we beefing? Man, that sucks.’”. The incident occurred during a time when boy bands were often targets of jokes, leading to a lack of recognition for their musical talents. Kirkpatrick highlighted their efforts in the studio, which were sometimes undervalued due to the boy band label they carried.
Reflecting on the industry’s perception, Kirkpatrick shared his disappointment at losing out on prestigious awards like the Grammys to acts in other genres, such as Steely Dan. The dismissive attitude towards boy bands in the music industry was particularly hurtful for Kirkpatrick, as they felt their hard work and dedication to perfecting their sound were not being acknowledged appropriately.
The term ‘boy band’ often carried a stigma that undermined their credibility and maturity as artists, according to Kirkpatrick. This perception made it challenging for them to be taken seriously and receive the recognition they felt they deserved for their musical achievements. Despite the success of *NSYNC and their impact on pop culture, they faced ongoing challenges in being fully appreciated within the music industry.
Kirkpatrick’s revelation sheds light on the struggles faced by boy bands in the early 2000s, where their artistic efforts were sometimes overshadowed by stereotypes and industry biases. The experience with Eminem’s mention in ‘Without Me’ serves as a reminder of the complexities of navigating the music industry as a boy band artist and the enduring impact of such moments on their careers.
As Kirkpatrick continues to reflect on his time in *NSYNC and the challenges they faced, his story provides valuable insights into the dynamics of the music industry and the resilience required to overcome stereotypes and prejudices as a boy band artist. His candid recount of the Eminem incident offers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes experiences of a pop music icon, highlighting the nuances of fame, recognition, and artistic validation in the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry.