Tobey (song)

"Tobey"
Eminem, Big Sean, and BabyTron all with green clothes pointing at each other, as a reference to the 1967 Spider-Man cartoon episode "Double Identity".
Single by Eminem, Big Sean, and BabyTron
from the album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)
ReleasedJuly 2, 2024
Studio
  • Effigy Studios (Detroit, MI)
  • The Hip Hop Lab Studios (Warren, MI)
  • Don Life Studios
GenreHip-hop
Length4:44
Label
Songwriters
Producers
  • Marvy Ayy
  • John Nocito
  • Daniyel
  • Carlton McDowell
  • Cole Bennett
  • Eminem (add.)
Eminem singles chronology
"Houdini"
(2024)		 "Tobey"
(2024)		 "Somebody Save Me"
(2024)
Big Sean singles chronology
"Shut Up"
(2024)		 "Tobey"
(2024)		 "Yes"
(2024)
BabyTron singles chronology
"Drank Wars"
(2024)		 "Tobey"
(2024)
Music video
"Tobey" on YouTube

"Tobey" is a song by American rappers Eminem, Big Sean, and BabyTron. It was released on July 2, 2024, through Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records as the second single from Eminem's twelfth studio album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce). The song serves as the fourth collaboration between Eminem and Big Sean, and makes numerous references to Star Wars and Spider-Man, the latter of which has been portrayed by the song's namesake, Tobey Maguire. In Eminem's verse, he criticizes his fifth-place ranking on Billboard and Vibe's "50 Greatest Rappers of All Time" list and Melle Mel's questioning on the former's high ranking.

In promotion of the single, Eminem posted a horror-themed trailer titled "Tobey" on his social media accounts, featuring himself, Big Sean, and BabyTron. He additionally announced its release date and the Cole Bennett-directed music video. Initially set to release on July 5, it was delayed three days later due to it being considered unfinished.

"Tobey" received mixed reviews from Stereogum and music critic Anthony Fantano. The former saw it as an improvement over "Houdini" and credited the song for its standard rap performance, though he considered the concept "a little goofy". The latter criticized the instrumental, but complimented the concept and lyrics, and following its album's release, was confused by the cohesion of its placement with "Guilty Conscience 2". Commercially, "Tobey" charted at the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, UK Singles, and Australia singles charts, but peaked at number seven on all of their hip-hop singles charts. The song also charted in multiple countries.

Background

On March 19, 2024, long-time producer and collaborator Dr. Dre revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that Eminem was working on his next studio album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), and that it would be releasing in 2024.[1] During the 2024 NFL draft event in his hometown Detroit on April 26,[2] he shared a video in the style of real crime show, Unsolved Mysteries, posed as a question of "Who killed Slim Shady?"[3] On May 13, the album was further promoted with a fake obituary on the Detroit Free Press.[4]

On May 21, Eminem made a cryptic post to his social media accounts, containing an iMessage chat-style video with the message "...and for my last trick!" Eminem changed his social media profile pictures to match the rabbit-in-a-top-hat emoji used in the post.[5] On May 28, the rapper teased the album's first single, "Houdini", by posting a joint video call between himself and magician David Blaine,[6] in which the former asked Blaine for help and a magic trick, in which he states that for his "last trick", he was going to make his career "disappear".[7] The rapper then previewed "Houdini" by playing a short instrumental snippet, with the song title and release date revealed.[8] On May 31, "Houdini" was released with an accompanying music video.[9] The song later received commercial success, including its debut at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.[10]

Composition

"Tobey" is a hip-hop[11] song at a running time of four minutes and forty-four seconds.[12] It serves as a collaborative effort from Michigan natives Eminem, Big Sean, and BabyTron.[13] The song was produced by Eminem, Cole Bennett, Car!ton, Daniyel, Marvy Ayy, and John Nocito. "Tobey" is the fourth collaboration between Eminem and Big Sean, following "Detroit vs. Everybody" (2014), "No Favors" (2017), and "Friday Night Cypher" (2020).[14]

Over a beat including bells and a hard rock guitar riff,[11] BabyTron uses his hook to reference Princess Leia telling Obi-Wan Kenobi that he was her only hope in the 1977 film Star Wars and The Iron Giant's consumption of scrap metal,[15] and Big Sean references Yoda[11] and Wes Craven.[16] Eminem uses his verse to criticize his fifth-place ranking on Billboard and Vibe's "50 Greatest Rappers of All Time" list and Melle Mel for questioning his high ranking;[17] upon release, many fans interpreted some of his verse as taking shots at Jay-Z, prompting Royce da 5′9″ to opine otherwise.[18]

Promotion and release

On June 28, 2024, Eminem posted a horror-themed trailer for "Tobey" on his social media accounts, containing himself, Big Sean, and BabyTron, announcing that it would be released on July 2. Its music video, directed by Cole Bennett, was set to premiere on July 5.[19] The trailer featured Eminem in a Jason Voorhees mask carving into a bleeding figure with a chainsaw,[13] intended to represent Eminem's alter ego Slim Shady,[20] followed by BabyTron rapping "Tobey Maguire got bit by a spider, but see, me, it was a goat".[15] The video was delayed by three days after it became apparent that it was not ready, with Eminem instead releasing a short snippet in which he rapped outside his house.[18] On July 2, "Tobey" was released through Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records,[14] and the second single from Eminem's twelfth studio album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) following "Houdini".[21] "Tobey" marks BabyTron's first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100.[22]

Cover art

The single cover is a reference to an Internet meme in which three Spider-Men point at each other,[23] derived from episode nineteen of the 1967 Spider-Man television series,[24] and the song was titled in reference to American actor Tobey Maguire, who played Spider-Man in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man film trilogy (2002–2007) and the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021);[25] Eminem had previously referenced Spider-Man characters in his songs "Rap God" (2013) and "These Demons" (2020), while BabyTron had referenced the title character in his earlier single "Spidey Senses" (2023).[15][26] Eminem also produced the songs "Venom" and "Last One Standing" for the Spider-Man spin-off films Venom (2018) and Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), respectively.[15]

Music video

The music video for "Tobey" was directed by Cole Bennett, who previously directed Eminem's videos for "Godzilla" (2020), "Gnat" (2020), and "Doomsday Pt. 2" (2024), and was released on July 8, 2024.[27] The video features multiple copies of each rapper delivering their verses,[28] and contains scenes of Eminem rapping outside his childhood house[29] and portraying his alter ego Slim Shady.[20]

Reception

Tom Breihan of Stereogum, who had previously panned "Houdini", expressed that "Tobey" was "more like it," describing the latter as "rap for rap's sake, without headline-chasing edgy jokes or forced, rushed cadences." He also opined that the song's central concept was "a little goofy," but felt that it worked.[30] Upon release, Anthony Fantano criticized the instrumental, but admired the concept and lyrics and felt that the track was a "big Detroit deal" on the grounds that the track comprised "three generations of Detroit artists".[31] Upon reviewing The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), however, he felt that Eminem's lyrics made its narrative "a little confusing" due to the conflicting messages he was getting from "Tobey" and the album's "Guilty Conscience 2".[32]

Upon the release of "Tobey", the song debuted in multiple countries. "Tobey" peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100[33] and number seven on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[34] Additionally, it peaked at number 23 on the Global 200.[35] In both the UK and Australia, it peaked at number 29 on their singles charts[36][37] and number seven on their hip-hop singles charts.[38][39] Elsewhere, "Tobey" charted in Canada,[40] New Zealand,[41] Switzerland,[42] Greece,[43] Ireland,[44] Finland,[45] Austria,[46] Germany,[47] Slovakia,[48] Sweden,[49] Lithuania,[50] the Netherlands,[51] the Czech Republic,[52] and Portugal.[53] By the end of 2024, "Tobey" ranked at number 86 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs year-end chart.[54] In terms of music certification, the song is certified as Gold by both Music Canada and Pro-Música Brasil for exceeding 40,000 and 20,000 units, respectively.[55][56]

Personnel

Credits were adapted from Tidal[12] and the liner notes of The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).[57]

Locations
  • Recorded at Effigy Studios, Detroit, Michigan
  • Recorded at The Hip Hop Lab Studios, Warren, Michigan
  • Recorded at Don Life Studios
Musicians
  • Eminem – primary artist, vocals, songwriter, additional producer
  • Big Sean – primary artist, vocals, songwriter
  • BabyTron – primary artist, vocals, songwriter
  • Luis Resto – keyboards, songwriter
  • Cole Bennett – producer, songwriter
  • Carlton McDowell – producer, songwriter
  • Daniyel – producer, songwriter
  • John Nocito – producer, songwriter
  • Marvy Ayy – producer, songwriter
Technical

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Tobey"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[56] Gold 20,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[55] Gold 40,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (March 20, 2024). "Dr. Dre Says New Eminem Album Coming This Year, Gives Update on Snoop Dogg's Missionary on 'Kimmel'". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  2. ↑ Haring, Bruce (April 26, 2024). "Eminem Announces New Album, Which May See The Death Of A Main Character". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  3. ↑ Brandle, Lars (April 26, 2024). "Eminem Announces New Album The Death Of Slim Shady With Bloody Teaser". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  4. ↑ McCollum, Brian (May 14, 2024). "Eminem's Slim Shady eulogized in faux-obituary in Detroit Free Press as new album looms". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  5. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (May 21, 2024). "Eminem Continues to Tease Slim Shady's Demise In Cryptic 'For My Last Trick!' Post". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  6. ↑ Atkinson, Katie (May 28, 2024). "Eminem Conjures Up New Single "Houdini": Here's When It Arrives". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  7. ↑ Walker, Joe (May 28, 2024). "Eminem to pull a "Houdini" on new single: "I'm gonna make my career disappear"". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  8. ↑ Graham, Adam (May 28, 2024). "Eminem teases "Houdini" single, arriving Friday: 'I'm gonna make my career disappear'". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  9. ↑ Strauss, Matthew (May 31, 2024). "Eminem Throws Back to His Most Iconic Moments in Video for New Song "Houdini"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  10. ↑ Trust, Gary (June 10, 2024). "Post Malone & Morgan Wallen Lead Billboard Hot 100 for Fourth Week, Eminem Debuts at No. 2". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  11. 1 2 3 "Eminem Links with BabyTron & Big Sean on New Single "Tobey"". Consequence. July 2, 2024. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  12. 1 2 Eminem - The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), Tidal, July 12, 2024, retrieved April 16, 2026
  13. 1 2 England, Adam (June 30, 2024). "Eminem drops trailer teasing new single 'Tobey' featuring Big Sean and BabyTron". NME. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  14. 1 2 Strauss, Matthew (July 2, 2024). "Eminem, Big Sean, and BabyTron Share New Song "Tobey"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Stenzel, Wesley (July 2, 2024). "Eminem name-checks Tobey Maguire and recreates Spider-Man meme on new single". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  16. ↑ Cowen, Trace William (July 2, 2024). "Eminem Recruits Big Sean and BabyTron for Latest 'Death of Slim Shady' Track "Tobey"". Complex. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  17. ↑ Sadler, Armon (July 3, 2024). "Eminem Addresses 'Billboard' Ranking Him No. 5 On Greatest Rappers List In New Single "Tobey"". Vibe. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  18. 1 2 Nevares, Gabriel Bras (July 5, 2024). "Eminem Returns To "The Marshall Mathers LP" House In "Tobey" Music Video Teaser". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on July 5, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  19. ↑ Saponara, Michael (June 28, 2024). "Eminem Recruits Fellow Detroit Natives Big Sean & Babytron for Ominous 'Tobey' Single: Watch the Trailer". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  20. 1 2 Rufo, Yasmin (July 12, 2024). "Eminem's The Death of Slim Shady album a mixed bag, say critics". BBC News. Archived from the original on July 12, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  21. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (June 28, 2024). "Eminem Taps Big Sean and Babytron for New Single 'Tobey,' Releasing July 2". Variety. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  22. ↑ Zellner, Xander (July 9, 2024). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Yuki Chiba, Loco & BabyTron All Score First Entries Thanks to Collaborations". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 20, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  23. ↑ Duran, Anagricel (July 2, 2024). "Eminem teams up with Babytron and Big Sean on new 'Spider-Man' inspired single 'Tobey'". NME. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  24. ↑ Child, Ben (February 24, 2022). "The Spider-Man pointing meme perfectly encapsulates why fans adored No Way Home". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  25. ↑ McCollum, Brian (July 2, 2024). "Eminem joined by Big Sean, BabyTron on new song 'Tobey' as 'Slim Shady' release set". AOL. Archived from the original on July 20, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  26. ↑ BabyTron - '6', Tidal, June 6, 2023, retrieved July 15, 2026{{citation}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ↑ Walker, Joe (July 9, 2024). "Eminem Dusts Off Chainsaw & Hockey Mask In 'Tobey' Video With Big Sean & BabyTron". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  28. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (July 8, 2024). "Eminem Reps for Detroit in the Cole Bennett-Directed Video for 'Tobey' Featuring Big Sean and Babytron". Variety. Archived from the original on July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Eminem releases Tobey music video featuring his childhood home, Detroit natives Big Sean & BabyTron". The Express Tribune. July 9, 2024. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  30. ↑ Breihan, Tom (July 2, 2024). "Eminem Teams With Big Sean & Babytron On New Single "Tobey": Listen". Stereogum. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  31. ↑ Fantano, Anthony (July 2, 2024). "I Like Eminem's New Song". The Needle Drop. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  32. ↑ Fantano, Anthony (July 16, 2024). "Eminem - The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)". The Needle Drop. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  33. 1 2 "Eminem Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  34. 1 2 "Eminem Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  35. 1 2 "Eminem Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  36. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart on 12/7/2024 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  37. 1 2 "Eminem / Big Sean / BabyTron – Tobey". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  38. 1 2 "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart on 12/7/2024 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  39. 1 2 "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. July 15, 2024. Archived from the original on March 12, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  40. 1 2 "Eminem Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  41. 1 2 "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  42. 1 2 "Eminem / Big Sean / BabyTron – Tobey". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  43. 1 2 "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) (Week: 29/2024)". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on July 24, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  44. 1 2 "Official Irish Singles Chart on 12/7/2024 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  45. 1 2 "Eminem: Tobey (feat. Big Sean and BabyTron)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  46. 1 2 "Eminem / Big Sean / BabyTron – Tobey" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  47. 1 2 "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  48. 1 2 "ČNS IFPI – SK Singles Digital – Top 100 – 19. týden 2024" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  49. 1 2 "Eminem / Big Sean / BabyTron – Tobey". Singles Top 100. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  50. 1 2 "2024 29-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. July 19, 2024. Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  51. 1 2 "Eminem / Big Sean / BabyTron – Tobey" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  52. 1 2 "ČNS IFPI – CZ Singles Digital – Top 100 – 29. týden 2024" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  53. 1 2 "Eminem / Big Sean / BabyTron – Tobey". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  54. 1 2 "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  55. 1 2 "Canadian single certifications – Eminem – Tobey". Music Canada. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  56. 1 2 "Brazilian single certifications – Eminem – Tobey" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  57. ↑ The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) (CD liner notes). Eminem. Shady, Aftermath, Interscope Records. 2024. 00602468081500.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) A viewable copy is available at Eminem - The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), September 13, 2024, retrieved April 16, 2026.
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