“Killshot” is a response to Machine Gun Kelly’s “RAP DEVIL,” which was in itself a response to “Not Alike” from Eminem’s August 2018 album Kamikaze. The diss track dropped eleven days after “RAP DEVIL” and was discussed during Eminem’s four-part interview with Sway.

Em began targeting MGK following inappropriate Twitter comments about his daughter Hailie Jade in 2012. According to the second part of the Sway interview, it was MGK’s subliminal disses during Power 106’s May 2017 “L.A. Leakers (Freestyle)” and Tech N9ne’s March 2018 track, “No Reason,” that inspired Eminem to fire back.

Coincidentally, Killshot is the name of a 2008 movie directed by John Madden, and filmed in Eminem’s hometown of Detroit, Michigan. For that reason, fan theories have suggested Eminem must have known about the film. The plot features main character Carmen Colson, who is targeted by an experienced, psychopathic hitman. Colson Baker is Machine Gun Kelly’s government name.