Not every musician manages to sound the same during their stage performances and their studio-version recordings, but Eminem is one of a kind. With over ten number-one albums in his discography catalog, the Rap God's decades-spanning career is a testament to his quality.
However, it can't be denied that these on-stage performances stand out from the rest. From Em's iconic chainsaw and Jason mask outfit to the 'Russian roulette' that gambled his career for a greater risk, here are Eminem's top ten most memorable stage performances.
10 'Nowhere Fast' ft. Kehlani, 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards
2017 and 2018 were some of the worst years in the history of mass shootings in the U.S. From Stoneman Douglas, Thousand Oaks, Pittsburgh synagogue, and Santa Fe, many kids lived under the fear that they may not come back from the school. Eminem took to the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards platform to criticize the gun law and the NRA. Kehlani's part during the performance provided a perfectly haunting addition.
9 'Rap God,' 2013 MTV EMAs
'Rap God' is never an easy song to pull off, especially in a live performance. Eminem did it effortlessly on the stage of the 2013 MTV European Music Awards (EMAs). On the same night, the rapper tied Miley Cyrus as the most awarded artists of the event, winning two awards for the Best Hip-Hop and Global Icon in the process.
8 'Forever' with Drake, 2016 Detroit Tour
In 2016, Drake's fans in attendance at his Summer Sixteen Tour at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena were surprised with an appearance from Eminem, the hometown hero. After Drake performed his verse on "Forever," a mysterious figure with a familiar hoodie and Kangol cap appeared from the bottom of the stage. Drake then bowed down for the rapper and called him the greatest of all time.
7 'Renegade' ft. Jay-Z, 2010 Live on Letterman
'Renegade' was one of the most iconic collaboration pieces hip-hop has ever seen. It pits two of the biggest talents in the game, Eminem and Jay-Z, to compete against each other in the five minutes and 30 seconds of bravado rap. The two made an appearance on Live from Letterman in 2010. It was also one of the most important years of their respective careers.
6 'Walk on Water,' 2017 MTV EMAs
On the other hand, 2017 was a polarizing year for Eminem. No one was ready for the "woke" Eminem as the Revival project did nothing to revive his career. He took the MTV EMAs stage to go candid about his insecurity to keep up with "the curse of the standard" by performing the album's single, "Walk on Water."
5 'I'm Back,' 'Kill You,' & 'Under The Influence,' 2001 Anger Management Tour
In the early 2000s, Eminem was known as the troublemaker and a nightmare for every American suburban parent. The rapper took his violent Slim Shady alter ego to the next level during his Anger Management Tour by bringing a literal chainsaw and wearing the Jason Voorhees outfit to the stage. 'I'm Back,' 'Kill You,' and 'Under the Influence' featuring D-12 from The Marshall Mathers LP were chosen to kick off the tour.
4 'Lose Yourself,' 2020 Academy Awards
Seventeen years after becoming the first rapper to win an Oscar for "Lose Yourself" from the 8 Mile soundtrack album, Eminem made a surprise comeback to perform the hit song from his past. Many were bamboozled and confused at first, but the rapper ended up receiving standing applause from almost every person in the room.
3 'White America, & 'Cleaning Out My Closet,' 2002 MTV VMAs
Eminem made 2002 his playground: The Eminem Show successful release, 8 Mile movie debut, and signing rapper 50 Cent. The rapper, who was at the very peak of his career at the time, summed everything up on the stage of the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). Eminem performed 'White America' and criticized the censorship while wearing a full suit and surrounded by "politician" figures on stage.
2 'The Real Slim Shady' & 'The Way I Am,' 2000 MTV VMAs
Eminem brought, not one, but dozens of his carbon copies and lookalikes to the stage of the 2000 MTV VMAs while performing "The Real Slim Shady." The career-defining moment for the rapper perfectly recreated the mayhem that the song embraces. As a metaphorical testament to his roots as an outsider in hip-hop, Em started from outside the Radio City Music Hall before swarming into the building and taking over everyone.
1 'Stan' ft. Elton John, 2001 Grammy Awards
Behind thousands of fans, lies a pack of haters. Due to his problematic and homophobic-sounding lyrics, Eminem was the center of controversies from the LGBTQ community. He proved them all wrong when he invited Sir Elton John, a legendary musician who is also openly-gay, to perform "Stan" on the stage of the 2001 Grammy Awards. The two have developed a strong bond of friendship since then.