Image via Complex Original
Eminem has withstood the test of time, finding wild success in music for nearly two decades. His run as one of the most lively performers remains equally impressive. His dark humor and stunning public antics quickly amassed a cult-like core fan base (mooning crowds and shaming pop stars account for his lesser acts of debauchery).
Taking a look at Shady’s past as a live artist quickly proves him to be a role model for rappers on the come up. As any longtime fan can attest to, Mathers meticulously delivers some of the most dense verses ever penned before tens of thousands of cheering spectators—a monster onstage, capable of going berserk on the mic with unmatched consistency.
Even the most moderate hip-hop fans are surely familiar with some of Shady’s more groundbreaking endeavors in the limelight. His live collaboration with Elton John at the 2001 Grammys is one of modern pop culture’s greatest music moments. But dozens of lesser known clips lacking that “iconic” stamp lurk around the Internet, showcasing Slim at his crazed, unbridled best.
From throwing towels at crowds in San Francisco to just not giving a fuck at Wetlands all the way back in 1997, here are 15 Amazing Eminem Performances We Found on YouTube.
Eminem performing “Just Don't Give a F**k” at Wetlands in 1997.
Wetlands Preserve, the now defunct but forever legendary TriBeCa club, hosted a young Eminem back in 1997. The Detroit import fired off bar after bar with bouncy exuberance, performing “Just Don't Give a Fuck” with perfect precision, his words rattling off the tongue like a true showman.
Eminem performing “My Name Is” on the Warped Tour in 1999.
Eminem took mainstream America by storm with his studio single debut “My Name Is.” The rapper performed the record to an embracing crowd in 1999 while on the Warped Tour in Atlanta. Sporting a torn white tee that fit the tone of his performance, Em's theatrics make this a hallmark live showing.
Eminem performing “Forgot About Dre” alongside Dr. Dre in 1999.
Eminem famously bodied his “Forgot About Dre” guest verse beside his mentor on SNL, but the star also killed his feature while performing on Top of the Pops, a televised music platform created overseas by BBC. The program aired for more than 40 years, hosting the likes of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones decades before a rapper from Detroit ever rocked the stage and drove home a simple message: Hip-hop is a force to be reckoned with.
Eminem performing at MTV's Spring Break in 1999.
Hordes of wasted, dancing college students living it up at MTV's annual Spring Break party in 1999 had the unique opportunity to turn up to Eminem rapping live beside the ocean. The artist fittingly performed “Brain Damage,” among other songs, as he paraded around the stage and reached out to hollering fans.
Eminem performing “Purple Pills” with D12.
Eminem visited San Moreno in 2000 with the rest of D12 in tow to perform “I'm Back,” “Purple Pills,” and “The Real Slim Shady.” Not even the grandiose, illuminated stage infrastructure and a quiet crowd could make Shady seem small.
Eminem taking no crap from a rowdy crowd in San Francisco.
Some artists slink towards the end of their sets when those in attendance fail to show love. Not Marshall Mathers. Displeased by a San Francisco crowd's insufficient participation, the battle rap-hardened lyricist threw his towel at fans and demanded them to do better. They listened. After throwing out a particular showgoer for disrespecting Detroit, Em orchestrated a call-and-response that reignited the building's energy for “Bitch Please II.” Aspiring rappers, take notes.
Eminem performing “Kill You” with Proof on the Anger Management Tour.
Eminem and Proof did something few other rappers can claim while performing on the Anger Management Tour in 2000: They danced in coordination without looking corny. Shady sounded as believable as ever delivering murder threats, dressed only in jean overalls and a Jason-inspired hockey mask—wardrobe fixtures throughout the 116-date outing.
Eminem performing “The Way I Am” with Proof at the Fuji Rock Festival in 2001.
Eminem took his talents to Japan in 2001, performing alongside his close friend and fellow D12 member Proof for an enraptured crowd at the Fuji Rock Festival. Supported by his hypeman's booming voice, Em crushed his live take of “The Way I Am.” The song's recognizable piano intro sparked a ripple of excitement in the audience. We just wish we were there to scream along.
Eminem performing “Marshall Mathers” with Proof.
Donning an oversized, white tracksuit, Eminem flawlessly delivered a live rendition of his anti-boy band anthem, “Marshall Mathers,” with the late Proof by his side. Though he never spurred the world's untimely end like he states on the song, Em indisputably destroyed the Farmclub crowd.
Eminem and Jay Z performing “Renegade” in 2002.
Eminem and Jay Z have performed their classic collaboration, “Renegade,” all over, from David Letterman's rooftop to Comerica Park in Detroit. But nothing beats the pair's rendition in 2002, where Em managed to entertain the crowd while using a malfunctioning mic. At the 1:32 mark, someone offers Hov another mic to give to his stage mate, but Jay turns it down.
Eminem performing “Without Me” in Detroit.
There's no place like home. Eminem performed “Without Me,” a standout from his 2002 album The Eminem Show, in Detroit to a ravenous crowd that together made some of the more memorable moments of fan interaction. The venue fills with the synced screaming of the lyrics, “Fuck you Debbie!” From the functioning Ferris wheel to an overblown cartoon face onstage, it's evident Eminem created his own entertaining amusement park.
Eminem performing “White America” on the "Anger Management" Tour.
Eminem took fans down memory lane during one of his "Anger Management" tour legs, dominating live renditions of “Kill You” and “White America.” Em spit some of his most angry lyrics and gave the sea of people a concert they didn't need to record with their smartphones 'cause they'll never forget. The best part? The majestic American flag bandana wrapped around his head.
Eminem performing “Lose Yorself” in 2009 on the “Relapse” tour.
Perhaps the most well-known song of Eminem's career, “Lose Yourself” never gets old. Slim performed the fiery classic track for a loyal Detroit crowd during his "Relapse" tour in 2009. Unsurprisingly, camera's spanning the crowd showed all attendees echoing every word of the song. Though Em was still recovering his stage presence after lapses of inactivity, he proved he could still put on one hell of a show.
Eminem joining Drake to perform “Forever” at the 2010 OVO Fest in Toronto.
Drake's OVO Fest had not yet grown into the hip-hop staple it is today when it debuted in August of 2010. The Toronto showcase most notably featured Graham and Young Jeezy, but neither headlining act stole the show quite like an unannounced guest. Eminem walked onto the stage to a crowd roaring with approval and didn't disappoint, delivering his tongue twisting “Forever” verse without stumbling. Drake called him the greatest to ever do it after their performance.
Eminem and 50 Cent performing “Till I Collapse” at SXSW in 2012.
Former labelmates Eminem and 50 Cent added a little twist to the former's Nate Dogg-assisted song, “Till I Collapse,” while onstage at SXSW in 2012. Though Em stuck to the script and performed pieces of his original verses, spaces were carved out for Jackson to jack the beat. The seamless back-and-forth serves a reminder to the special chemistry the two greats share.