Despite never meeting in person, Benzino says his history with Eminem has created a bond he cannot ignore, and he is now open to putting old grudges behind him.

For over 20 years, Benzino and Eminem have been locked in one of hip hop’s longest-running feuds. But now, Benzino is looking back with a different mindset — one of growth and understanding, he says.

In a recent interview with VladTV, Benzino spoke about how, despite never meeting Slim Shady in person, he has been changed by their rivalry, which has left a lasting mark on his life. “It’s a connection I’ll never be able to lose”, he admitted. “I’ve never had a strong connection with someone I’ve never met. It’s a different feeling”.

Surprisingly, Benzino recently took a human moment to publicly congratulate Eminem on becoming a grandfather — something he never imagined doing years ago. He noted the irony in Eminem once calling him the Grandpa Rap, now that both of them are entering a new phase in life.

“It’s just ironic that both of our daughters are pregnant right now”, he said. “If him being a grandfather hasn’t softened him up, and if Coi having her baby hasn’t softened me up, then we’re not human”.

Benzino believes that after years of back-and-forth, it might finally be time to put the past behind them. “A lot of people were emotionally invested in our beef — millions”, he explained. “Before we check out, it would be good to shake hands and say, ‘Bro, it’s love’. I would. At this point, I would”.

Whether Eminem will respond remains to be seen, but the chances are slim. Yet Benzino seems ready to turn the page on a decades-old chapter in hip hop history.