Shady is back. Tell a friend!
Eminem made his TV debut with his 12th studio album, “The Death of Slim Shady,” at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards in New York on Wednesday.
The rapper reprised his performance of “The Real Slim Shady” at the 2000 VMAs, taking the stage with an army of bleach-blond-wigged doppelgangers — an homage to his early-decade look — as he performed his latest single “Houdini,” which references his 2003 track “Without Me.”
He briefly left the stage and returned with his wig off, singing “Somebody Save Me” with pre-recorded footage of his collaborator Jelly Roll, who is on tour and unable to attend the ceremony.
Taylor Swift was among the audience who enjoyed the performance, dancing to the tune and raving on social media.
Eminem is up for eight awards at the ceremony to be held at the UBS Arena.
The rapper is no stranger to the VMAs stage. The 51-year-old, who was born Marshall Mathers, made his performance debut at the VMAs in 1999, where he stormed the stage with the songs “My Name Is” and “Guilty Conscience.”
over the decades, Eminem gave some iconic VMA performancesThat includes opening the 2010 ceremony with singer/songwriter Rihanna performing “Not Afraid” and “Love the Way You Lie,” and making a surprise appearance in 2022 with Snoop Dogg performing “From the D 2 the LBC.”
In 2012, the artist also surprised the audience during his performances of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's “Forgot About Dre” and “Still Dre”
The “Mockingbird” rapper released his latest album on July 12, his first new music since 2020’s “Music to Be Murdered By,” which debuted on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100.
“The Death of Slim Shady” peaked at number 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and the lead single, “Houdini”, peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Billboard Hot 100.
The rapper surprised by performing “Houdini” at “Live from Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central” on June 6. Closing the event, Eminem performed a medley of his music and later brought out Jelly Roll for the single “Sing for the Moment.”
The album's trailer received mixed reviews, with one fan writing, “We ready, boss,” and another asking, “What's up, man?”
The trailer tells the story of “Who Killed Slim Shady” in the style of a true crime show.
“With his complex and often criticized, tongue-twister rhymes, the antihero known as Slim Shady has no shortage of enemies,” a reporter says in the video.
50 Cent makes a cameo in the video, saying: “He's not a friend, he's a psychopath.”
The reporter continues: “Perhaps those rude lyrics and controversial antics ultimately led to his death. Join me as we recap the events that led to the murder of Slim Shady.”
“I knew it was only a matter of time for Slim,” Eminem said.
The trailer sparked rumors that the “8 Mile” actor is heading toward retirement.
The album contains 19 songs, some of which were written in collaboration with artists such as Jelly Roll, JID, Skylar Grey and Big Sean, as well as three bonus tracks.
The “Lose Yourself” rapper urged fans to listen to the album in order, saying: “Public service announcement: 'Death of Slim Shady' is a conceptual album, therefore, if you don't listen to the songs in order they won't make sense.”
Tracks included Love letter to your eldest daughterHailey Mathers, 28, references artists like Megan Thee Stallion, Steve Miller Band and Nicki Minaj, and says Sean “Diddy” Combs and Alex Baldwin.
Eminem was nominated for eight awards at this year's VMAs; Video of the Year, Best Hip-Hop, Best Direction, Best Editing, Best Visual Effects, Song of the Summer, Artist of the Year, and Most Iconic VMA Performance (for his medley of “The Real Slim Shady” and “The Way I Am” at the 2000 ceremony).
Prior to Wednesday's show, Eminem had won 13 VMA awards, including best new artist (1999), best male video (2010) and video of the year (2002).
If Eminem wins just one more statuette, he will surpass Peter Gabriel's 13 wins and become the most awarded VMA male artist.
