At this point, we should probably consider the decades-old beef between Mariah Carey and Eminem to be “vintage gossip.” Gossip history, part of the ancient gossip texts. Basically, Eminem claimed for a long time that he had a brief romance with Mariah. She always denied his claims, and she even devoted her song “Obsessed” to Em. The chorus is obviously “why are you so obsessed with me” and throughout the song, she makes specific references to Em’s lies (??) about their relationship. Well, music producer Damion Young just told a story which might explain why this Mariah-Em beef started in the first place. Apparently, Eminem wanted Mariah to play his mother in 8 Mile. Mariah is only four years older than Marshall.

Eminem reportedly had a vision of family for a movie with Mariah Carey. During the June 4 episode of the TFU Podcast, music producer Damion “Damizza” Young claimed the “Way I Am” rapper, 52, wanted Carey, 56, to play his mother in 8 Mile, despite the five-time Grammy winner being just four years his senior. Young, who first worked with Carey when he produced her 1998 single “I Still Believe” featuring Krayzie Bone and Da Brat, said he’s responsible for introducing the “Obsessed” singer and Eminem.

According to the industry veteran, Carey had recently released “Heartbreaker” with JAY-Z and was doing great in her career, but expressed that she was now interested in taking on a movie role. Young said he was in the process of advising her against signing on to do Glitter, since it was an independent film, when he got a call from Eminem’s camp with the 8 Mile offer, which he also didn’t necessarily approve of.

Referring to the opportunity as Carey’s “Achilles’ heel,” Young felt he was at a crossroads.

“’If I don’t say something and then it comes another route in the business or something, then I’m the bad guy,’ ” he said of his thought process, and the reason he ultimately made the introduction between the two stars.

“So I go to Mariah, and I’m like, ‘Look, Eminem wants to meet you,’ and she’s like, ‘No,’ ” he said of his first attempt. However, once Young told her it was for a movie, she allegedly asked for the “Without Me” rapper’s number. Young claimed he pleaded with Eminem, saying, “’Don’t do this. I know where you’re going with this,’ ” making mention of his history with Christina Aguilera. “I’m managing this girl, and it’s gonna cause me a problem,” he warned.

Eminem allegedly replied, “’No, I genuinely want her in the movie,’ ” the music producer recalled. With all three finally on a call to discuss the role, Young said Carey was told, “’I want you to play my mother.’ ”

“She did not like that s— at all,” Young said. “Her insecurities kicked in big time.”

Academy Award winner Kim Basinger, now 71, was ultimately cast in the role of Eminem’s alcoholic mother.

[From People]

Please, I laughed my ass off at this story. It’s really possible that this was the beginning of the Great Mariah-Eminem Beef. My question is – was Eminem ever serious about anything to do with Mariah? Like, what would have happened if Mariah called his bluff and was like “sure, I’d love to play your mom?” Would he have backed down? What’s also funny is that at no point have I ever felt like Eminem or Mariah are actually offended with each other. It’s like they both know that it’s a game and their “beef” is entirely for public consumption. But yeah, he definitely enjoyed needling her.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Cover Images, Avalon Red.