"Tobey" is a track from Eminem's 12th album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), featuring his fellow Detroit rappers Big Sean and BabyTron. The title nods to Spider-Man actor Tobey Maguire, with other references to the superhero movie series in the lyrics.
BabyTron kicks things off with the chorus, which nods to the 2000s Spider-Man trilogy.
Tobey Maguire got bit by a spider, but see, me, it was a goat
In the 2002 film Spider-Man, the protagonist, Peter Parker, gains superhuman abilities, like web-slinging and the ability to climb walls, after being bitten by a genetically altered spider. BabyTron rewrites the origin story. He claims a different kind of bite: one from the "GOAT" (Greatest Of All Time). This bite, according to BabyTron, grants him the lyrical skills of the rap game's ultimate champion.
There's a Star Wars reference in the lyric too:
I'm Obi-Wan, got a mission to pass
I just might be the hope
BabyTron sees himself as a modern-day Obi-Wan Kenobi, the last hope for his city. He throws shade at competitors whose rhymes can't hold a candle to his own.
After BabyTron flaunts his wealth in his verse, Big Sean steps up to defend his throne. He questions the judgments of others who doubt his relevance, highlighting the heart and soul he pours into his music.
Finally, Eminem takes the mic. He starts by reflecting on his journey from a rap-obsessed kid to a chart-topping inspiration. It's clear he craves recognition as one of the greats, and bristles when his ranking doesn't reflect that. Anyone who thinks about taking him down is in for a rude awakening. He's here to stay, a walking monument to controversy and straight-up lyrical fire.
Eminem ends his verse on a triumphant note.
Way beyond crazy, Shady gone, but hey, maybe, I am the goat
That bit Sean and BabyTron, and that's why they be on the s--t they be on 'cause
Tobey Maguire got bit by a spider, but see, me, it was a goat
Just like Tobey Maguire mentored the next generation of Spider-Men in No Way Home, Eminem is doing the same here with Big Sean and BabyTron. Their presence alongside him is a subtle nod to his influence on the rap game.
"Tobey" is Eminem's first collaboration on disc with BabyTron and his fourth with Big Sean. They previously collaborated on "
No Favors," "
Detroit Vs. Everybody" and "
Friday Night Cypher."
Both BabyTron and Big Sean appeared in Eminem's "
Doomsday, Pt. 2" music video from Lyrical Lemonade founder Cole Bennett's compilation project
All Is Yellow.
Eminem co-produced "Tobey" with Cole Bennett alongside New York-based producer Marvy Ayy, North Virginia producer John Nocito, Portland rapper Daniyel and Juice WRLD collaborator Carlton McDowell. Both Nocito and Daniyel also worked on "Doomsday Pt. 2," further connecting the dots between these projects.
Originally planned as a bonus track for All Is Yellow, "Tobey" ultimately found its home on The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce). It was released as a single on July 2, 2024.
The single artwork playfully references the viral meme of three Spider-Men pointing at each other, with cartoon versions of Eminem, Big Sean, and BabyTron recreating the pose.
Cole Bennett directed the video as well. It sees Eminem, Big Sean and Babyton digitally duplicated and interacting with their doubles as the camera roams through a variety of settings, including a warehouse, hotel room, and club. The most shocking scene shows Eminem wielding a chainsaw and killing his Slim Shady alter ego, as the album title suggests.
Bennett is known for his trippy and often surreal visuals. This aligns with Eminem's penchant for pushing boundaries in his videos. Bennett previously directed Em's music clips for "
Godzilla," "
Gnat" and "Doomsday Pt. 2."
