Eminem’s latest single has been criticised for containing several lines of aggressive, homophobic lyrics.

‘Rap God’, which was released earlier this week, has received generally favourable reviews from critics and fans. However, some have called the track’s lyrics offensive, with US website The Week slating them as “deeply homophobic”.

Some of the most offensive lines include: “I’ll still be able to break a motherfuckin’ table / Over the back of a couple of faggots and crack it in half” and “You fags think it’s all a game / ’til I walk a flock of flames / Off of planking, tell me what in the fuck are you thinking? / Little gay looking boy / So gay I can barely say it with a straight face looking boy”.

This is not the first time that Eminem has been accused of homophobia. In 2010, the rapper defended his use of the word “faggot” to US journalist Anderson Cooper, saying that where he was brought up it was used as a general insult rather than a homophobic slur.

In an interview with the New York Times in the same year, he was asked how he felt about the possibility of same-sex marriage approval in his home state and replied: “I think if two people love each other, then what the hell? I think that everyone should have the chance to be equally miserable, if they want”.