Why Eminem Wanted To Publicly Apologize To Rihanna Over Leaked Lyrics About Chris Brown

Eminem apologized to Rihanna on his new track ‘Zeus,’ a year after it was revealed that he once ‘sided’ with Chris Brown over her 2009 assault. Here’s why he wanted to publicly make amends.

Eminem is making things right with Rihanna. In early 2019, an unreleased track, that Eminem recorded in 2009, leaked on-line and in one of the verses he raps about siding with Rihanna’s ex Chris Brown, who pleaded guilty to felony assault against the Barbados born beauty. Although Eminem’s offensive lyrics went public more than a year ago, he’s shining the spotlight on his mistake again in an effort to make amends with RiRi.

Eminem gave Rihanna a heartfelt apology in his new song “Zeus” and a source close to the Detroit legend tells HollywoodLife EXCLUSIVELY that he made the public apology because he wants Rihanna to know he’s got her back. “EM respects Rihanna so much. They have collaborated on some monster hit songs and he is looking forward to doing it again in the future. He has apologized to her privately but he thought that to do it publicly was a sign that he has matured.”

“He writes and rhymes about his life,” continued the source, “and as things change and as his thoughts change he addresses them head onand that is what happened here with Rihanna. He realized his mistake and wanted the world to know what he told her privately and that he has her back and trust.”

In his new song, “Zeus”, from his surprise new album “Music to Be Murdered By – Side B,” Eminem raps, “But, me, long as I re-promise to be honest / And wholeheartedly, apologies, Rihanna / For that song that leaked, I’m sorry, Ri / It wasn’t meant to cause you grief.”

The leak Eminem is referring to happened in November 2019, when an unreleased track, that he recorded more than a decade ago, during sessions for Relapse, made it onto Reddit. “Of course I side with Chris Brown, I’d beat a bitch down too,” Eminem raps in a snippet from the song.

Former Interscope executive Dennis Dennehy told XXL after the leak: “This is a leak of something that’s over ten years old. After Eminem recorded it, he scrapped it and rewrote it. He and Rihanna have a great relationship.” In the past Eminem and Rihanna have teamed on huge hits like “Numb” (2012) and “The Monster” (2013). In 2019, just one year after Eminem scrapped his diss track, he and Rihanna has their biggest hit — “Love The Way You Lie.”

Rihanna hasn’t reacted to Eminem’s apology but according to sources her ex-boyfriend Chris is happy she’s being shown “respect” by Eminem. “Chris is happy for Rihanna and has always wished nothing but the best for her,” says a friend of the R&B singer. “He knows she’s an incredibly smart, independent woman who deserves the absolute best life has to offer. What Eminem did by apologizing is his own journey and that’s between him and Rihanna. It’s not his business to speak on that, but anybody showing respect for Rihanna he’s all about.”

Since the end of their relationship in 2009 Chris and Rihanna have both moved on with their lives and are on good terms. They reconciled in 2012 to record “Birthday Cake” for her album Talk That Talk, but didn’t rekindle their romance.