For Eminem Toy Soldiers is a reflection on the rap beefs that pop up in the industry, and how some of these beefs have crossed the line from freestyle battle into street violence. There are numerous examples of MC's who have met their end violently: Notorious BIG, Tupac Shakur, Proof, Jam Master Jay, etc. The purpose of Toy Soldiers is to recognize the stupidity behind most of the escalations (in that no one ever attempts to be the bigger man) and hopefully call for a truce. In reference to Ja Rule's remarks about his daughter, Eminem fires back:
"There used to be a time when you could just say a rhyme
And wouldn't have to worry about one of your people dyin'
But now it's elevated cause once you put someone's kids in it
The **** gets escalated, it ain't just words no more is it?"
It's this escalation that is causing the toy soldiers to fall apart, all due to a fundamental lack of respect.
Rap beefs are a double edged sword. As is the case between Ja Rule and 50 Cent, you can see the escalation heading towards violence. Yet rappers, perhaps most, actually endorse these beefs as a way to earn credibility and drum up interest. Let's not forget that 50 got noticed because of his punchlines about various rappers, most notably Jay Z, who came back with the classic line "I'm worth 'bout a dollar, who the **** is 50 Cent?"
Jay Z is certainly no stranger to rap beefs, either. He purposely went after Nas to build momentum for his new album (and while most people give the nod to Nas, it certainly helped both their sales).
For Eminem Toy Soldiers also describes the people who are willing to lay down their lives for guys like him. He compares himself to a general, and the soldiers on the front lines are out there every day showing support in hopes of getting mentioned in a rap. According to Eminem Toy Soldiers are their for support and nothing else:
We still have soldiers that's on the front line
That's willing to die for us as soon as we give the orders
Never to extort us, strictly to show they support us
We'll maybe shout 'em out in a rap or up in a chorus
Eminem Toy Soldiers are there to show support, but in this day and age, that support can come out in extreme, unexpected ways. Toy Soldiers is an attempt this difficult issue in the way is was always meant to be: through music.
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