Frontman Corey Taylor offered a raw and honest perspective on his musical journey, highlighting personal growth and lessons learned, as he ranked some of his most notorious rockstar feuds on Hot Ones Versus.
Joined by fellow Slipknot member Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan, the pair not only dove into feuds with major artists like Limp Bizkit, Machine Gun Kelly, and Nickelback, but also explored the cultural significance of rockstar masks. The segment, filled with humor, reflection, and the signature fiery wings, gave a rare insight into the mindset of one of metal’s most influential figures.
The viral online show Hot Ones is known for its format that combines celebrity interviews with progressively spicier chicken wings. In this particular episode, Taylor and Crahan’s candor took center stage as they confronted past conflicts and revealed the underlying issues behind them. The ranking of Taylor’s feuds, in particular, shed light on the insecurities, ego, and miscommunication that often fuel tensions in the music industry.
Limp Bizkit: A Feud Fueled by Ego
When asked to rank his feuds, Corey Taylor placed his spat with Limp Bizkit at the top. But he quickly clarified that his problems weren’t necessarily with the band itself but rather with frontman Fred Durst. “My issues truly weren’t even with Limp Bizkit, they were with Fred [Durst],” Taylor explained, reflecting on how Durst became a representation of the mainstream trends that Slipknot was pushing against during the peak of nu-metal.
Taylor’s issues with Durst seemed to stem from a comment attributed to Durst in 2000, where he allegedly referred to Slipknot fans as “a bunch of fat, ugly kids.” This comment, though never fully confirmed, sparked outrage from Taylor, who addressed it publicly while appearing on Australian TV. In a clever retort, he suggested that Limp Bizkit fans were likely similar to Slipknot fans, and if Durst had any issues with Slipknot’s fanbase, it was a reflection of his own audience. The rivalry became a key narrative in the early 2000s, symbolizing the divide between bands like Slipknot, who embraced their underground roots, and bands like Limp Bizkit, who were seen as the face of commercialized nu-metal.
Reflecting on this feud in Hot Ones Versus, Taylor admitted that much of his anger at the time came from his own ego. “It was just about what Fred represented at the time, the things that were being said and the people in the band that were actually saying stuff about us,” he said. Now, with years of hindsight, Taylor acknowledged the immaturity of the feud, noting that it stemmed from insecurities and arrogance rather than any real issue with Durst or his band.
Machine Gun Kelly: Creative Conflict and Ego Clash
Ranking in the middle of his feuds was the more recent spat with rapper-turned-rocker Machine Gun Kelly (MGK). The conflict between the two arose when Taylor was invited to collaborate on a track for MGK’s 2020 album Tickets To My Downfall. According to Taylor, creative differences between him, MGK, and drummer Travis Barker led to the collaboration falling apart. Taylor explained, “Before the beef, I did have respect for him, and I liked his music. We butted heads ego-wise and creatively because of a song that he and Travis invited me to be on.”
MGK took offense to the situation and publicly dissed Taylor during his performance at Riot Fest 2021, mocking Slipknot’s age and their iconic use of masks. The jab came after Taylor had previously made a cryptic remark in an interview about artists “who failed in one genre and decided to go rock,” which fans believed was directed at MGK’s shift from rap to pop-punk.
In response to MGK’s comments, Taylor shared a series of emails between himself and Barker on social media, defending his decision not to collaborate. “I don’t like people airing private shit like a child,” Taylor tweeted, adding, “I said NO to THEM. So without further ado…. #receipts.” This public exchange further escalated tensions between the two artists, although MGK later admitted that he regretted the feud, indicating some level of closure.
Looking back on the feud in Hot Ones Versus, Taylor remained relatively diplomatic. “He and me are very similar, and I hope he’s figuring shit out because I know he’s been through some dark shit,” Taylor said, hinting at the personal struggles both artists have faced in their careers. This reflection showcased Taylor’s maturity and desire to move past old grudges, even as he ranked the MGK feud above his other disagreements.
Nickelback: The Least Personal Feud
Coming in last was Taylor’s well-documented disdain for Nickelback. In his Hot Ones appearance, he referred to Nickelback as a “musical echo,” criticizing the band for their repetitive sound. However, Taylor softened his stance slightly during the episode, admitting that there were some Nickelback songs he liked, such as the hit “How You Remind Me.” His disdain, he clarified, was less about the band members themselves and more about what they represented in mainstream rock.
The feud between Slipknot and Nickelback goes back several years, with Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger once accusing Slipknot of relying on masks and stage theatrics to succeed. Taylor fired back by calling Kroeger’s band “the Starbucks of rock,” a jibe aimed at their perceived blandness and formulaic approach to music. Although the feud generated plenty of headlines, Taylor seemed to view it as more of a playful rivalry rather than a deeply personal conflict, which is why it ranked lowest in his list.
Rocking the Masks
Aside from the feuds, another major focus of the Hot Ones Versus episode was the discussion of rockstar masks, a staple of Slipknot’s image since their inception. Taylor and Crahan were asked to rate the masks of other musicians, and their responses were both insightful and hilarious.
They awarded Daft Punk a respectable four-and-a-half out of ten, praised Gwar’s theatrical costumes with a solid ten, and gave Marshmello a brutal zero. “Not my thing,” Clown admitted when discussing Marshmello’s signature helmet, showing the band’s clear preference for more intricate and menacing designs.
The conversation around masks highlighted Slipknot’s commitment to their identity as a band that embraces darkness and theatricality in their performances. For Taylor and Crahan, masks are not just about hiding behind a persona; they are integral to their artistry and connection with their fans.
Personal Growth and Reflection
Corey Taylor’s appearance on Hot Ones Versus provided a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a musician who has experienced both success and turmoil. In recent years, Taylor has been open about his efforts to better himself, both personally and professionally. He has been candid about his struggles with PTSD, which he explored in his solo track “Post Traumatic Blues.” Speaking to NME about the song, Taylor said, “I wanted it to be a bridge between people who are dealing with PTSD and the people who are desperately trying to understand the nuances of what people have to go through.”
Taylor’s journey of self-improvement is ongoing, and his willingness to reflect on past mistakes, such as his rockstar feuds, is a testament to his growth. While his spats with Limp Bizkit, Machine Gun Kelly, and Nickelback may have once defined his public persona, they now serve as reminders of the pitfalls of ego and the importance of humility in the face of fame.
