“Like Toy Soldiers” is a song by American rapper Eminem from the album Encore. It tells the story of his attempts to calm a violent community of rappers. He speaks openly about problems with The Source magazine and its editor Benzino, as well as Murder Inc. Records, and explains the feud between Ja Rule and 50 Cent, which Eminem felt went way beyond the Jay-Z vs. Nas feud. The song finishes as Eminem offers a truce to his enemies. Like Toy Soldiers features prominent sped-up sampling from “ Toy Soldiers” by Martika. The song’s video, released in 2004, which depicts Eminem’s fellow D12 member Proof being gunned down in a drive-by shooting, took a sudden and tragic turn in the early hours of April 11, 2006, when Proof was actually shot and killed at the CCC nightclub on Detroit’s 8 Mile Road.
Cameo appearances in the video include 50 Cent, Obie Trice and D12.
Deceased rappers Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Big L and former D12 member Bugz are also shown at the end of the music video to show the fatal consequences of rap wars.
Eminem leaves out a word in this song when referring to Dr. Dre’s own feuds. This word is believed to be “Suge”, a reference to Suge Knight with whom Dr. Dre had problems in the mid 90’s.
“Like Toy Soldiers” was included on Eminem’s compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits in 2005.
In addition, this song also brings up some issues with his ongoing feud with Ja Rule who made some remarks about Hailie, Marshall’s daughter, on a song called “Loose Change”.