In the wake of Hulk Hogan’s sudden passing, tributes have poured in from around the globe — from wrestlers, actors, athletes, and longtime fans. But one of the most powerful and unexpected tributes came from none other than Eminem, the rap icon known for his hard edge, raw honesty, and guarded respect.
Eminem, whose music has long channeled pain, pride, and survival, took to social media late last night to offer a rare public statement — something the notoriously private rapper does only when he truly means it. His words were somber, sincere, and carried the kind of emotional weight only someone who’s been through darkness could express.
But what truly stunned fans was his heartfelt message to Hogan’s daughter, Brooke, and the song he chose to share in memory of the man he called “one of the rare few who had my respect.”
“He Was Larger Than Life, But He Never Acted Like It”
Eminem posted a black-and-white photo of Hulk Hogan in his iconic red and yellow gear, flexing for the crowd — a moment frozen in time from wrestling’s golden era. His caption read:
“The first time I saw him, I thought, that dude’s a superhero. But he wasn’t just muscles and charisma — he was heart, hustle, and loyalty before those words ever became a brand.”
“Hulk Hogan didn’t just win matches. He won people. Millions of us. And when the lights went down, he still showed up for his fans. That’s what respect looks like.”
To Brooke Hogan: “Your Father Didn’t Just Wear the Cape — He Gave Us Ours”
It was Eminem’s words to Brooke Hogan, Hulk’s daughter, that drew the most emotional response. Eminem, a father himself, rarely speaks about personal family matters publicly — but in this case, he made an exception:
“Brooke — you saw the man behind the myth. The human beneath the hero. But to the rest of us… your dad was the guy who made us believe we could be strong, even if we felt small.”
“He didn’t just wear the cape. He gave us ours. And the world is better ‘cause he lived out loud — not just in the ring, but in your life.”
“Hold onto that. He gave you more than memories. He gave you his fire.”
The Song: “Going Through Changes” — A Rare and Poignant Tribute
In a move that shocked fans, Eminem reshared the audio to his haunting track “Going Through Changes” — a deep cut from his Recovery album. The song famously samples Black Sabbath’s “Changes”, and Ozzy Osbourne’s vocals echo over Em’s raw lyrics about loss, family, and the uphill battle of life.
“This one ain’t about me this time,” Eminem wrote.
“This one’s for the Hulkster. The rare man who earned my respect, not just ‘cause of what he did… but how he did it.”
The track’s chorus — “I’m going through changes…” — hit different this time. Fans flooded the comments:
“This is the most emotional tribute Em’s ever done.”
“The way he used ‘Changes’ for Hulk Hogan… I’m sobbing.”
“This is the side of Eminem we don’t see often — vulnerable, respectful, human.”
