The Real Slim Shady (Freestyle) Lyrics – Joyner Lucas

The Real Slim Shady (Freestyle) Lyrics Meaning

[First few lines – Feeling underappreciated and aggressive retaliation]
Joyner starts off venting about feeling ignored or not given the respect he thinks he’s earned. He feels like he deserves more credit, and because he’s not getting it, he’s ready to respond with force — not literally, but with fierce energy in his bars. He sees other rappers as obstacles and implies he’s been outshining them. That line about not being behind the wheel since Eminem taught him to drive? It’s like a shout-out to how Eminem influenced him, but he’s also saying he hasn’t had to “steer” much lately because he’s been on cruise control, still dominating.

[Dark metaphors – Cannibalism and madness]
Now it gets wild. He paints a crazy picture — bodies in the garage, dead rabbits, and disturbing stuff like eating eye sockets. It’s not meant to be taken literally. This is shock value, like horror movie vibes, to show how far he’s willing to go in his art to get attention. He wants listeners to feel uncomfortable because he’s bringing raw chaos — kind of like how Slim Shady used to rap with that unfiltered, twisted imagination.

[Race, crime, and inner demons]
He flips the narrative and talks about being a Black man in America and how people act surprised or scared when they see someone like him making bold moves. Then he dives back into violent imagery, saying he’ll kick in doors, shoot like he’s performing, and shock people with how raw and unfiltered his verses are. He says he’s a demon — not literally evil, but like a force living in your subconscious, haunting you through his lyrics.

[Homage to Slim Shady and critique of modern rap]
He jumps on a Slim Shady beat, kind of like saying, “Watch me show y’all how it’s done.” He feels there’s nothing hot or fresh in rap lately, so he’s taking it back to the roots and hitting it hard. There’s a bit of frustration here — like he wants to name names and call people out, but he knows if he does, people will just say he’s clout-chasing. That line about “Joyner wants attention” is him mocking the people who downplay his artistry.

[Temptation and holding back]
He admits that sometimes he feels like starting drama on purpose just to get reactions. Like launching verbal “missiles” just to see if people get upset. But then he visualizes himself going full combat — stepping into a ring, throwing punches, and going all out, metaphorically destroying the competition. It’s like he’s ready for war in the rap game, but he’s also trying to stay calculated about it.

[Coming from the bottom and staying focused]
Here, he talks about growing up in tough conditions — “the trenches” — where feelings don’t matter and survival comes first. He’s seen people get hurt just for not minding their business. So he keeps his focus tight, sticking to his own grind and staying sharp. That brutal line about folding someone in half? Again, metaphorical. He’s trying to show he’s not one to mess with.

[Gunplay imagery and street violence]
Now he brings in more violence, with details about keeping weapons nearby, drive-by shootings, and dark stuff like blowing someone’s brains out to the point that a dentist is needed for ID. These bars are harsh, but they reflect how intense and grim his perspective can get. He’s not glorifying this stuff — it’s more like he’s letting his inner rage spill out in the rawest way.

[Success and fake love]
He mentions making money and staying away from suckers — people who are fake or have bad intentions. He talks about how the same women who love others are secretly into him, and how people act like they’re family just because he’s successful. But he doesn’t trust them. If it were up to him, he wouldn’t keep them around. This part really shows how success can be lonely and make you question people’s motives.

[No fear of consequences and lifelong defiance]
He casually mentions parking wherever he wants and treating tickets like pocket change. Then he flips it into something darker — saying if someone ends up dead on a T-shirt, to him, that’s just another T-shirt. That shows how numb he feels to loss or violence. It’s not cold for no reason — it’s how he’s learned to cope. He says he’s always been a “bad influence,” even since he was three, and he’s not really impressed by most rappers today. What they think is hot, he finds average.

[Detached from emotion and disillusionment]
He opens up about being emotionally detached — not being “in touch with the ceiling” (probably meaning he’s not feeling the highs of success like he used to). He’s seen so much come and go that not much excites him anymore. He compares it to a new tattoo — cool at first, but then the novelty wears off and it starts to peel.

[Going after what he wants, no apologies]
Here, he talks about dealing with shady people trying to hide their intentions, but he sees through it. If he can’t get what he wants, he’s going to take it by any means. He says he’s tried to avoid drügs to deal with his pain, but he’s scared he might like it too much if he starts — so he resists it. That’s a rare moment of vulnerability.

[Teamwork and determination]
Joyner built his career from the ground up and made sure his people came along with him. He’s too deep into living his dream to even daydream about something else. He’s also saying he doesn’t need fake people or bad energy — he’s living off real ambition and purpose. When he says he means what he says, he’s making it clear that nothing about him is for show.

[Faith, criticism, and legacy]
He calls out those who doubt him and those who lean on religion while judging others. He’s saying that actions matter more than words. That line about “I won’t leave without respect” really brings it home — respect is the thing he’s chasing more than fame or money.

[Fast-paced lyrical flexing]
The last part is like a rapid-fire rap clinic. He flexes his skill, saying he’s out here crushing the game while others just wish he’d disappear. He compares himself to a demolition crew — destroying everything fake in his path. The “esthetician” line is a wild twist — he’s scalping people like he’s giving them a makeover, but in the most violent way. He says forget superstition, he’s something different, something new. He doesn’t just rap — he sees himself as a movement, a new kind of belief system, a force.

This verse is packed with confidence, aggression, pain, and some dark humor. Joyner’s basically telling everyone that he’s not here to be liked — he’s here to be respected, and he’ll do whatever it takes to get it.