What is the meaning behind “I’m a Doberman, pinch yourself in the arm and pay homage, pupil”? Rap God by Eminem
- by imrk
- March 24, 2023
A play on the Doberman Pinscher , one of the most intelligent dog breeds, as well as a war dog . It’s the opposite of a strong poodle , being bred for aggression instead of appearance. Not the first time Em has used dogs to compare himself and others, and his friend Proof also had a lyrical association with dogs. Pinching your arm is supposedly a way to find out if you’re in a dream, in which case you shouldn’t feel the pain of pinching yourself. Eminem is submitting that he’s on a level to which other rappers are on such disbelief that he suggests that they pinch themselves; they’re not dreaming, he is real. Also, canids, and especially wolves, bite themselves on the front paw to submit and pay homage to the alpha male, just like other rappers should pinch themselves on the arm to pay homage to Eminem.