If there is something that Eminem loves (besides Mom’s Spaghetti) it’s surprising fans at concerts that are not his.
The Detroit rapper has a long history of showing up unexpected at his fellow collaborator’s concerts. Most of them happen in Detroit (since he still lives in the Motor City), but that’s always not the case. He even loves to have special guests at his shows, too.
Recommended Videos
Eminem did it again this past weekend when he showed up to perform two songs with his friend Ed Sheeran. Sheeran was playing at Ford Field in Detroit. So without further adieu, let’s talk about some other times the Real Slim Shady made a surprise appearance at a concert, shall we?
Eminem with 50 Cent at Pine Knob in 2023
Eminem has been surprising his home state fans all summer, apprently. He came out during his friend and collaborator 50 Cent’s farewell tour at Pine Knob in Clarkston, Michigan. 50 Cent started to perform his song “Patiently Waiting,” and Eminem surprised the crowd when he came out during his verse of the song. They also performed “Crack A Bottle,” an Eminem song that features 50 Cent.
Eminem with Ed Sheeran at Ford Field in 2023
Like I mentioned above, Eminem came out during Sheeran’s show in Detroit and shocked the arena full of fans. The two performed Eminem’s hits “Lose Yourself” and “Stan.” Some people may have been a bit confused as to why Eminem did this, but the pair performed together last year when Eminem was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Clearly they’ve formed a friendship since then.
Eminem with Big Sean at Joe Louis Arena in 2015
I wish I could have seen this one live. Big Sean’s 2015 concert at Joe Louis Arena was one for the books. The Detroit-born rapper was playing a hometown show at an iconic venue (that no longer exists), so of course he had to bring out all the stops.
Not only did Eminem come out to perform with Big Sean, but so did Lil Wayne, Danny Brown, Dej Loaf, Mike Posner, Royce da 5′9′′, Trick Trick and Jhene Aiko -- most of whom are all Detroit artists. It was a celebration of Detroit rap and hip hop, and it was all led by Eminem.
Eminem with Drake at Joe Louis Arena in 2016
If you’ve collaborated with Eminem, there is a pretty good chance he will come on stage at a Detroit stop of a tour, and that’s exactly what happened when Drake played in the Motor City in 2016. At his Summer Sixteen tour, Eminem joined Drake onstage and they performed their 2009 joint hit “Forever.”
This surprise appearance also happened at the no-longer-standing Joe Louis Arena, which may have been why Eminem was so inclined to perform at the iconic arena during this time period.
Eminem with Rihanna at the Staples Center in 2010
This surprise performance goes all the way back to 2010 when “Love The Way You Lie” was the No. 1 song in the country. You couldn’t go anywhere that summer without hearing that song, so it’s no surprise that Eminem showed up to perform it with Rihanna.
Surprisingly, this happened when she played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and not in Eminem’s hometown of Detroit. Regardless, it was an epic moment.
Eminem at the 2020 Oscars
Right before the world shut down and we couldn’t leave our houses, Eminem did a special performance at the 2020 Oscars that took everyone by surprise. He did a rendition of his Academy Award-winning song “Lose Yourself,” and every celebrity in attendance practically did lose themselves.
Eminem’s performance was not promoted prior to the ceremony, or even during it. It was truly a surprise that no one was ready for. Since it was the Oscars, we don’t get to see too many hyped up rap performances, so this was a treat for fans at home, and those inside the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.
Eminem with Rihanna at Lollapalooza in 2014
This one is more of an honorable mention, because it was technically Rihanna that did the surprising.
Eminem was headlining Lollapalooza in Chicago in 2014, and yours truly was actually there in attendance. Eminem and Rihanna were about to start a co-headlining tour together just a week later, so there were bug rumors if Rihanna would come out on stage at Lollapalooza in Chicago.
Sure enough, halfway through Eminem’s set, Rihanna emerged and the duo played a string of hits that included “Love The Way You Lie” and “The Monster.” It was such an epic moment, and a concert that I will never forget seeing.