Rap News
D12, 50 Cent and G-Unit, Young Jeezy also hit Comerica Park stage as Em, Hov unleash flurry of hits on first stop of Home and Home Tour.
By Shaheem Reid
Eminem and Jay-Z (file)
Photo: Kristian Dowling/ Getty Images
Detroit hasn’t screamed this loud at a baseball park since Kirk Gibson was hitting home runs in the 1984 World Series. Hip-hop history was made as Jay-Z and Eminem co-headlined the Motor City’s Comerica Park (home of the D-Town Tigers for the past decade) on Thursday night (September 2), the first of two shows on consecutive nights.
While Jay’s high-grossing touring schedule helped him to top this year’s Forbes’ “Hip-Hop Cash King” list, Eminem took a much-needed sabbatical to deal with a myriad of personal issues. Now beyond his darkest hour, Em had one of his brightest moments ever onstage. Not only did he gift his hometown with a seemingly endless string of hits, he pulled off some major surprises. After D12, 50 Cent and the G-Unit — acts that fans likely expected — came out for performances with Em, Slim Shady pulled off a shocker. Dr. Dre came out, first stunning the people then delighting them with smashes.
After his name appeared on the Comerica big screen, the man heralded by many as the greatest producer of his time came out to the opening notes of his world-famous “Next Episode.” Then the familiar first keys of “Still Dre” were played.
“Haters say Dre fell off,” the Doc rapped. “How n—a? My last album was The Chronic.”
After that, the Shady/Aftermath duo took it back to Dre’s Chronic days with “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang.”
“One, two, three and to the fo,” Em rapped in Snoop’s cadence.
” ‘Cause you know we came to rip sh– up!” Dre spit later.
Dr. Dre appeared to be in the best shape of his life. Wearing a T-shirt with the late Proof’s face printed on it, Dre looked strong enough to end the Undertaker’s undefeated streak at Wrestlemania.
“Got dammit, Detroit. Do I love you or what?” Eminem asked his fans. “Look what I brought out for you.”
Em then told Dre he wanted him to feel the love; Detox chants followed.
“Deeee-tox. Deeee-tox,” they yelled from the bleachers to the bullpen. Dre just smiled and said, “I’m Comin’!”
One would-be guest who couldn’t attend for obvious reasons was Lil Wayne. But Shady made sure to salute Weezy after “No Love.” And the Young Money flag did wave proudly in Detroit as Drake came out for “Forever” and gave a special nod to the Motor City.
“In Detroit, faded off the brown,” Drake rapped.
“Nino!!!!” the crowd responded.
“I’m so honored to be here to tonight. This is history in the making. I want y’all to make some noise for the muthaf—in’ legend that is Emimem.”
Em’s legend was largely built off his mastery of music and a catalog made for the kind of environment he played on Thursday: stadiums. The Detroit rapper has been making sing-along anthems throughout his career. Not just tracks you rap in the shower or in the car, but big records like “Sing for the Moment,” “Stan” and “Cleaning Out My Closet” — tracks practically begging for an audience of tens of thousands holding lighters up. Em proved he still has that rare connection with his fanbase. Grown men took off their shirts and got rock-n-roll rowdy when he rapped.
“Got dammit, Detroit, I’m back,” Em said early on in the night. “Did you miss me?”
It was clear that Em missed his fans as well. He was engaging, lively and energetic on this night. After the “Real Slim Shady” and “Without Me,” Em thanked his fans again.
“I love you. This song is for you.” “Not Afraid” followed. After screams of “encore, encore,” Em brought out the Unit, D12 and Detroit legend Trick Trick who had earlier performed on “Lose Yourself.”
Thursday’s Home and Home show kicked off with B.o.B, who came back later for “Airplanes, Pt. 2,” and set the tone with a quick set that included “Nothin’ on You.”
The audience was eventually alerted that the Jiggaman was 10 minutes away from showtime. Two clocks filled two oversize screens on the enormous stage while the Beastie Boys’ “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” blared from the speakers. When the countdown hit “0,” Jay rose from beneath the stage, the lyrically intricate “Dynasty Intro” being played by his band, the Roc Boys. Then a brief snippet of “Lucifer” played before Jay went into his jaw-dropping verse from Rick Ross’ “Free Mason.”
During “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune),” Jay rhymed “this might need a verse from Jeezy.” On cue, the Snowman came out for the “Dey Know” remix followed by “Soul Survivor.” His mini-set ended with “Put on for My City” and “Lose My Mind.”
After that though, it was the Jay hit parade — with assistance from Memphis Bleek. The Brooklyn duo rocked with a flurry of big records, including “You Don’t Know,” “99 Problems” and “(Originator 99).” During “Big Pimpin’,” Jay delivered Pimp C’s verse in the late UGK legend’s cadence.
“What y’all know about them Deetroit boys?” Hov asked.
A tribute to hip-hop’s fallen soldiers ensued, as the audience shouted in unison, “Prrrrrooooooooof!”
“I know y’all going through a lot, but Detroit has heart and Detroit will be back,” Jay said.
Hov and Slim Shady shared but a few minutes of stage time as Jay emerged for “Renegade” during Em’s set.
The Home and Home Tour continues Friday night (September 3) at Comerica Park and comes to the Bronx, New York, on September 13 and 14 at Yankee Stadium.
Were you at Jay and Em’s Detroit stop? Tell us what you thought of the show!
Related Photos
- Jay-Z And Eminem: Other Megastar Concert Pairings
- MCs And Their Hometown Stadiums
- Jay-Z And Eminem: Stadium Face-Off
Related Artists
Rap News
Upstart VMA-nominee is joined by Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo at raging house party in new clip.
By Jayson Rodriguez
B.o.B in his ‘Magic’ video
Photo: Warner Music Group
You can’t blame B.o.B if he wanted to pinch himself.
The VMA-nominated newcomer is riding an enormous wave via his debut album, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, which has spawned three consecutive top 10 singles, “Nothin’ on You,” “Airplanes” and his latest, “Magic.” And for his “Magic” clip, the Atlanta rapper recruited director Sanaa Hamri (Jay-Z, Christina Aguilera) who put B.o.B in the middle of a raucous house party.
But in the video, which premiered Thursday (September 2) at midnight on MTV.com, Bobby Ray can’t seem to believe his good fortune. As he and his “Magic” collaborator, Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, jam in the backyard, B.o.B mentally traces back to earlier in the day when the young rapper first wakes up. B.o.B tries to shake awake a sleeping version of himself but to no avail.
The girls, the party, all the happenings do seem to be going on — and all for him. Partygoers run through the house and Bobby Ray snaps pictures with the girl of his dreams. But in an instant — as quick as he’s been clicking Polaroid pictures — the party is over and B.o.B awakens.
Turns out he was dreaming.
The sleep-eyed MC, however, takes a look around his bedroom and notices two photos on the ground: two snapshots of him and his leading lady. He’s got the magic, indeed.
Last week, “Magic” landed on the Billboard Hot 100 at the #10 position. The track follows “Nothin’ on You,” which went to the top of the chart, and “Airplanes,” a top 5 hit. Also on Thursday, B.o.B opened for Eminem and Jay-Z during the superstar MCs’ Home and Home concert series in Detroit; he’s scheduled to open for the pair again on Friday (September 3), and later this month in New York.
What do you think of B.o.B’s “Magic” video? Tell us in the comments!
Related Videos
Related Artists
Rap News
Eminem and Jay-Z (file)
Photo: Getty Images
Rap News
‘I just feel like, this is my coming-out party,’ the Best New Artist nominee and pre-show performer says.
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Nicki Minaj
Photo: MTV
Very few newcomers have had as a grand of a debut as Nicki Minaj. She is still weeks away from dropping her hotly anticipated first LP, Pink Friday, but she’s already scored a #1 hit with “Your Love” and an MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best New Artist.
VMA night is shaping up to be a major event for the Young Money diva who will not only contend with chart-toppers like Justin Bieber and Ke$ha for a Moonman, but also hit the stage at the pre-show. In addition to making her first-ever televised solo performance, the Queens MC is hooking up some of her Barbz with the chance to witness the VMA action firsthand. Minaj will kick off a Twitter contest on September 7 that will give 10 fans the chance to check out her pre-show set. Fans who want to see Minaj rock the stage, should follow @NickiMinaj and @MTVTJ for more info.
Like the lucky winners of her Twitter contest, Minaj will get to experience the VMAs up close, and the star said that she’s pumped to be involved. “I’m so excited to be a part of this. This is major,” Minaj said on the set of the promo shoot for the big night. The femcee, who appears in the clip in the style of a hip-hop Bond girl, commands a motorcycle in an ultra-snug catsuit. She added that filming the VMA visual is a bit more involved than shooting the music videos to her hit collabos and solo smashes.
“This thing today has been like shooting a movie,” Minaj observed. “It’s very specific. When I shoot videos it’s just about performing and doing whatever you want. But with this it’s more like, ‘No, this is the shot we need so we have to … get that shot.’ ”
Ultimately, Minaj was down to be detail-oriented for the shoot and said that being involved in the VMAs is an honor for any up-and-comer.
“This is something that everybody dreams of being a part of … and I am no exception to that rule,” Minaj said. “I just feel like, this is my coming-out party. It’s like, really, the pinnacle of my career so far.”
What are you expecting from Nicki Minaj’s appearance at the VMAs? Let us know in the comments below!
The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through September 12.
Related Videos
Related Artists
Rap News
Learn how Gaga pulled off her unforgettable VMA debut in the special premiering Saturday at 11 a.m. on MTV
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Lady Gaga at a 2009 VMA afterparty
Photo: Amy Sussman/ Getty Images
By most accounts, Lady Gaga turned it out at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Gaga stormed the event with an outrageous performance of “Paparazzi” and a cavalcade of costumes that made her debut one of the most memorable first-time VMA outings in the show’s history. In the MTV special, “The VMAs: Revealed – Presented by New 5 React Gum,” viewers will get an inside look at how Gaga and her team pulled off the show-stopping fashion extravaganza.
“I told them I wanted to bleed to death for four minutes, and it just went silent. And then they said, ‘OK Gaga, if that’s your vision we’re gonna do it,’ ” Gaga says in the special, describing her meeting with VMA organizers.
Gaga didn’t let her status as a VMA rookie stop her from constructing an awards-show appearance for the ages. The singer got her wish to depict her stylized demise onstage, ending her performance by dangling above her crew of dancers, her skimpy white lace ensemble smeared with blood.
When the “Poker Face” singer won the Moonman for Best New Artist, she thrust the trophy in the air and declared, “This is for God and the gays!” But for the most part, Gaga let her outfits do the talking for much of the show. In addition to the head-to-toe crimson lace number she donned to accept the award, Gaga hit the carpet and held court in the audience in a bevy of OMG-inducing looks. She was snapped in a corseted Victorian-era Jean Paul Gaultier creation replete with black feathers and a gilded mask. She later showed off her trophy as a vision of Jetson chic, in a space-age lavender bodysuit with three-dimensional details.
Gaga owned VMA night when it came to daring style but executing her elaborate fashion show within an awards show was a major enterprise. To learn how it all went down, catch
“The VMAs: Revealed – Presented by New 5 React Gum” Saturday at 11 a.m. on MTV.
The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through September 12.
Related Photos
Related Artists
Rap News
‘You’ll never see anything like it again,’ one fan says of hip-hop legends’ joint show.
By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Rahman Dukes
Eminem and Jay-Z (file)
Photo: Getty Images
Very rarely do two hip-hop titans of Eminem and Jay-Z’s caliber team up to mount a series of stadium shows for their legions of rabid fans. Still, it’s astonishing to see the lengths that Shady and Hov heads would go to see the pair onstage. Their fans crisscrossed the country to see the duo light up the stage at Comerica Park in Em’s hometown of Detroit. The Thursday (September 2) event is the first stop on the duo’s Home and Home Tour and their followers showed major support; braving a possible downpour and donning Jay and Em memorabilia.
“We’re all psyched,” said one fan who had rolled to the concert with three other homies. “How many times do you get to see Eminem play in his [hometown of] Detroit?” The fan, sporting a Jigga/Eminem T-shirt, added that the outing was really special because it was the first live show he’d attended. “The fact that it’s Eminem and Jay-Z just helps a lot.”
Kipper revealed that he and his buddy J.T. traveled from Green Bay, Wisconsin, to take in the show. “I … came down to [see] something different, something big. This is the biggest concert of the year,” he marveled. “You’ll never see anything like it again.”
Two of the rappers’ most dedicated fans not only crossed state lines to catch the Comerica show but even employed their passports, trekking from Ottawa, Canada, for the collabo show.
“I really hope Eminem plays ‘Going Through Changes’ [from Recovery]. I really like that song,” said Karen who, along with her friend, had fashioned homemade tees emblazoned with lyrics from The Eminem Show’s “Superman” and two Jay-Z’s smashes, “Run This Town” and “99 Problems.”
Another fan, Jay, who traveled from Pittsburgh, was happy that Em was giving back to his hometown in the form of a major musical event.
“He should show the love from where he came from. They helped him to get where he’s at. The least [he] could do is put on a big-bang show for ‘em [and] show some respect,” he said. He added that he was checking out the show to see some of the game’s most talented MCs show their skills. “I mean, the best two lyricists to ever do it [are performing]. So, I’m trying to come and get some knowledge real quick.”
Not even bad weather could stop fans from seeing the Grammy-winning legends hit the stage. “I’m just so pumped to see it,” “D” said. “I’ll see it in the rain, I don’t care.”
One concertgoer, who donned a tank top that read “#1 Fan,” had a personal message for Shady: “Eminem if you ever see this, my name is Lindsay and I go to Michigan State and you should totally call me.”
Are you going to see Jay-Z and Eminem in concert? Did you catch the Detroit show? Let us know in the comments!
Related Photos
- Jay-Z And Eminem: Other Megastar Concert Pairings
- MCs And Their Hometown Stadiums
- Jay-Z And Eminem: Stadium Face-Off
Related Artists
Rap News
Federal probation office ‘is in the process of determining what happened,’ according to reports.
By Mawuse Ziegbe
T.I.
Photo: Moses Robinson/ Getty Images
With another album heading down the pike, a hit movie in theaters and a new bride on his arm, T.I.’s post-jail future was looking very bright. However, in the wake of his Wednesday night arrest for suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, the MC’s lawyers said they are not sure whether the ATL rapper will head back to prison.
“T.I. is going to be back on his way to Atlanta in the next 24 hours,” Don Samuel, one of T.I.’s lawyers, told theAtlanta Journal Constitution on Thursday (September 2). “It’s almost certain he’ll end up appearing before the court here. But without knowing all the facts, it’s premature to speculate what the court is likely to do.”
Another member of T.I.’s legal team, Dwight Thomas, echoed Samuel’s assertions and told The Associated Press that, “We don’t have a full grasp of the facts, circumstances. We don’t know the violation.” Thomas added, “I will remain optimistic until this matter is favorably resolved.”
“We’re not making any observations at this time,” said T.I.’s defense attorney Ed Garland. “This is an unfortunate occurrence, and we do not know what the outcome will be.”
T.I. and his wife, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, were arrested Wednesday in Los Angeles after the Grammy-winning MC made an illegal U-turn. Officers searched the car and its passengers after smelling marijuana emanating from the vehicle. An unspecified number of pills “resembling ecstasy” were found and the couple were taken into custody. They were released early Thursday morning after posting $10,000 bail each.
At press time, it was not clear whether the incident is a violation of T.I.’s (born Clifford Harris Jr.) three-year probation. The rapper has remained under supervised release after wrapping a prison stint for felony gun charges he picked up in 2007.
U.S. Attorney Sally Yates told the AP that officials were still reviewing the situation. “The probation office is in the process of determining what happened and will make a recommendation regarding Mr. Harris when they have all the facts,” she said.
A former United Nations Ambassador and high-profile T.I. advocate, Andrew Young, expressed concern upon hearing of the rapper’s latest brush with the law. “I assume that you’re innocent until you’re proven guilty,” Young told the AP. “If he was driving and smoking marijuana, that is absolutely stupid. But why was he pulled over in the first place? Because he had a Maybach? Because he was black? Because they know who he is and resent his success?”
Young was one of many supporters present in Atlanta when T.I. was sentenced to one year and one day in 2009 for felony weapons charges. The length of the sentence was part of an exceptional plea deal that would have allowed the rapper the possibility to be released earlier for good behavior. T.I. ended up serving seven months before being transferred to a halfway house to ride the remainder of his sentence. After entering the halfway house in December, Tip had his full-term release this past March.
The star is also obligated to complete approximately 400 hours of community service, meet with a probation officer regularly and obtain permission to travel. DNA testing, drug counseling and the agreement to submit to reasonable searches are also conditions of his probation.
Related Photos
Related Artists
Rap News
‘It’s [Lady] Guh-GAW,’ Handler says behind the scenes of her VMA promo.
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Chelsea Handler
Photo: Timothy White
Chelsea Handler is hard at work preparing for her gig as host of the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, a job that includes making sure that there are no slip-ups when it comes to shouting out oddly named pop stars. So, when the cameras went behind the scenes at the funnywoman’s VMA promo shoot, Handler was found reprimanding her staff about the proper ways to announce some of this year’s nominees.
“I am excited to see Lady Guh-GAW,” Handler declared, while seated at the head of her staffers table. When someone on her team chimes in with “It’s Gaga,” the way that, well, the whole world pronounces it, the “Chelsea Lately” host jokingly corrected the supposed flub.
“No, it’s Guh-GAW,” Handler deadpanned. “Everyone pronounces it wrong.” The comedienne pointed out that another blonde hitmaker, Ke$sha, has endured mass mispronunciation of her uniquely spelled moniker.
“Just like Keh-dollar-sign-hah pronounced that way,” Handler said. “She doesn’t want you to say it the other way. I met her.”
With the big night just a couple weeks away and the pressure on to deliver another live two-hour event packed with oh-no-they-didn’t moments, the cameras caught Handler and her team engaged in intense brainstorming sessions. And the crew brought in a master of mayhem to help ideate television magic: Kid Rock.
“You can go down on Snooki in the hot tub that they have on the ‘Jersey Shore,’ ” Handler suggested to Rock. Lucky for the Handler, the Detroit rap-rocker seemed down for anything. “After a couple fifths of whiskey I’ll go either way. Hell, after a fifth of whiskey I’d have sex with you.”
Handler, who has experienced her fair share of passes from popular lyricists, served up a demure reply to the open invitation for a drunken hookup. “Thank you,” Handler responded.
What are you expecting from Chelsea Handler as host of the VMAs? Let us know in the comments below!
The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through September 12.
Related Videos
Related Artists
Rumors & Gossip
Global Grind looks back at all of TI’s friends and let’s him know we got his back!
Rumors & Gossip
Super model Selita Ebank and Kanye West may be more than just friends
