The Warning (song)

"The Warning" is a hip-hop diss song written and performed by the American rapper Eminem and produced by Dr. Dre as part of an ongoing conflict with singer Mariah Carey. Throughout his career, Eminem has claimed he once had a relationship with Carey, dating her for six months. Carey consistently denies the claim. Eminem recorded a number of songs in which he raps about the singer in a negative light, angered by her dismissal.

Eminem's sixth album Relapse (2009) featured a song titled "Bagpipes from Baghdad", containing insulting comments about Carey and her then-husband Nick Cannon. Afterward, Cannon posted on his website expressing disgust. Eminem responded in a 2009 Tim Westwood interview by saying he meant well and that the song is actually "wishing the couple the best." After the release of Carey's single "Obsessed", a song about an obsessed man who claims to be having a relationship with her, Eminem claimed that the song was directed at himself, despite claims to the contrary by Cannon (although he later said that it was a diss to Eminem). As a response, Eminem released "The Warning". Cannon responded to that song with his "I'm a Slick Rick", and challenged Eminem to a boxing match for charity which never took place.

"The Warning" received mixed critical reception upon its release. Though not released as a single or as part of an album, it did peak at number 31 on the US Billboard Rhythmic Top 40, number 23 on the US Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart, and number 8 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, the latter being the song's highest position.