Chris Kirkpatrick Reflects on Eminem's Diss in "Without Me"

*NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick experienced unexpected scrutiny from Eminem in 2002. Kirkpatrick, now 53, recounted how he learned about this diss during his appearance on CW's The '90s Boy Band Boom. The singer immediately understood the risks of being in a boy band, particularly the potential to become an object of ridicule.

"We performed in Miami, and I started receiving numerous text messages," Kirkpatrick shared. The messages urged him to listen to the new Eminem song that allegedly targeted him. He initially thought the mocking could be about *NSYNC collectively.

"At first, I figured, ‘I love Eminem, and *NSYNC rhymes with everything,’" he recalled. However, the messages quickly clarified: "No, no, no, you. Chris Kirkpatrick." He was confused, stating, "Chris Kirkpatrick? That doesn’t rhyme with anything." Then, upon hearing Eminem say, "Get your ass kicked," he realized the connection.

Kirkpatrick reflected on his reaction at that moment. "What does this mean? Do I have beef now? Man, that sucks," he thought. In an era where boy bands were frequently mocked, Kirkpatrick highlighted that this mockery diminished the true success of *NSYNC, which also included JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Justin Timberlake, and Lance Bass.

Industry Recognition and Challenges

Kirkpatrick felt the pop genre didn't receive the acknowledgment it deserved. "We were nominated for a few Grammys, but it stung the most when we lost to Steely Dan for Best Vocal Performance on a Record." He reminisced about the dedication the group put into their craft.

"We spent extensive time in the studio ensuring every detail of every song was perfect," he explained. "It was before autotune. We had to sing it right; we had to make it true to our sound." He believed their hard work rendered their music genuine, combating claims that boy bands lacked substance.

Yet, Grammy voters often concluded that *NSYNC lacked credibility due to the boy band label. Kirkpatrick expressed disappointment, saying, "That hurts. In our business, a Grammy is the most coveted recognition." He criticized the label "boy band," arguing it lacks significance and conveys an impression of immaturity. This sentiment contributed to the dismissive attitude toward all the effort that went into creating their music.

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