Anthony Mackie Claims Eminem Used His Actual Life Story to Mock Him in8 MileRap Battle

Mar. 15, 2025

8 Milemight have been a fictionalized version ofEminem’s life, but the rapper actually pulled from parts ofAnthony Mackie’s story when freestyling in the beloved movie.On the March 11 episode ofPivot Podcast, Mackie, 46, opened up about starring in the 2002 drama with Eminem, 52. Eminem played Detroit rapper Jimmy Smith Jr. a.k.a. B-Rabbit, while Mackie played Papa Doc, the leader of the Free World rap group.“We’re doing the movie and you know Eminem is just such a brilliant dude,” theCaptain America: Brave New Worldstar said. “We’re on set one day, and he’s like, ‘Yo, it don’t make sense we’re beefing.’ ” Mackie agreed. Eminem told him, “I need something on you.” The pair talked for “two hours” and Mackie shared more about his life.Eminem in ‘8 Mile’ in 2002.Eli Reed/Imagine/Universal/Kobal/ShutterstockThe next day, they were shooting the movie’sfinal rap battle, where B-Rabbit triumphs over Papa Doc and his friends. And when Eminem went to rap about Papa Doc — revealing that his real name is Clarence, he went to private school and his parents are happily married — Mackie realized, “You’re talking about me, you’re not talking about Clarence!” Eminem’s raps had “nothing to do with the character,” Mackie said, and he noted that his aggressive facial expressions in the scene were because Eminem was going after him.“You’re an a——, Eminem!” Mackie joked. “I’m like, ‘I’m gonna fight this m———–!’ I’m like, ‘Yes my parents are still married!’ ”Mackie graduated from Julliard’s drama division in 2001, and8 Milewas his film debut. It was also Eminem’s first film. The movie costarred Mekhi Phifer,Brittany Murphy, Michael Shannon and Kim Basinger, and the anthem “Lose Yourself” — which became a No. 1 hit — won the Oscar for Best Original Song.Eminem famously skipped the 2003 ceremony, however.Anthony Mackie in 2002.CATARINA/VANDEVILLE/Gamma-Rapho via GettyMackie later starred in 2009’sNotoriousas rapper Tupac Shakur. Studying at Julliard, he said on the podcast, let him have the flexibility to play any type of role he wanted.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.In 2021, Mackie revealed on an episode ofHot Onesthat his Julliard training also unexpectedly helped him with his rapping skills. “I find myself very lucky to have studied Shakespeare,” Mackie explained. “The idea of approaching a rapper from the perspective of an actor, you’re really just speaking in poems. I always said, one of the greatest rappers [who] ever lived was Shakespeare.“In the episode, he said his career wouldn’t have been possible without his acting education. “If I didn’t have my training, I wouldn’t be able to play Tupac, Martin Luther King, Papa Doc, Falcon,” he said. “The training is just something that gives you an extra layer to stand on.” Mackie played Martin Luther King Jr. in the 2016 HBO filmAll the Way.A representative for Eminem did not return PEOPLE’s request for comment.

8 Milemight have been a fictionalized version ofEminem’s life, but the rapper actually pulled from parts ofAnthony Mackie’s story when freestyling in the beloved movie.

On the March 11 episode ofPivot Podcast, Mackie, 46, opened up about starring in the 2002 drama with Eminem, 52. Eminem played Detroit rapper Jimmy Smith Jr. a.k.a. B-Rabbit, while Mackie played Papa Doc, the leader of the Free World rap group.

“We’re doing the movie and you know Eminem is just such a brilliant dude,” theCaptain America: Brave New Worldstar said. “We’re on set one day, and he’s like, ‘Yo, it don’t make sense we’re beefing.’ ” Mackie agreed. Eminem told him, “I need something on you.” The pair talked for “two hours” and Mackie shared more about his life.

Eminem in ‘8 Mile’ in 2002.Eli Reed/Imagine/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock

Eli Reed/Imagine/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock

The next day, they were shooting the movie’sfinal rap battle, where B-Rabbit triumphs over Papa Doc and his friends. And when Eminem went to rap about Papa Doc — revealing that his real name is Clarence, he went to private school and his parents are happily married — Mackie realized, “You’re talking about me, you’re not talking about Clarence!” Eminem’s raps had “nothing to do with the character,” Mackie said, and he noted that his aggressive facial expressions in the scene were because Eminem was going after him.

“You’re an a——, Eminem!” Mackie joked. “I’m like, ‘I’m gonna fight this m———–!’ I’m like, ‘Yes my parents are still married!’ ”

Mackie graduated from Julliard’s drama division in 2001, and8 Milewas his film debut. It was also Eminem’s first film. The movie costarred Mekhi Phifer,Brittany Murphy, Michael Shannon and Kim Basinger, and the anthem “Lose Yourself” — which became a No. 1 hit — won the Oscar for Best Original Song.Eminem famously skipped the 2003 ceremony, however.

Anthony Mackie in 2002.CATARINA/VANDEVILLE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty

CATARINA/VANDEVILLE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty

Mackie later starred in 2009’sNotoriousas rapper Tupac Shakur. Studying at Julliard, he said on the podcast, let him have the flexibility to play any type of role he wanted.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In 2021, Mackie revealed on an episode ofHot Onesthat his Julliard training also unexpectedly helped him with his rapping skills. “I find myself very lucky to have studied Shakespeare,” Mackie explained. “The idea of approaching a rapper from the perspective of an actor, you’re really just speaking in poems. I always said, one of the greatest rappers [who] ever lived was Shakespeare.”

In the episode, he said his career wouldn’t have been possible without his acting education. “If I didn’t have my training, I wouldn’t be able to play Tupac, Martin Luther King, Papa Doc, Falcon,” he said. “The training is just something that gives you an extra layer to stand on.” Mackie played Martin Luther King Jr. in the 2016 HBO filmAll the Way.

A representative for Eminem did not return PEOPLE’s request for comment.

source: people.com