An internationally recognized rapper, Eminem began his set with “Medicine Man,” which was met with a raucous response, and it was followed by “Won’t Back Down” and “3 a.m.” “Square Dance” was a spitfire tune, while “Kill You” resonated well with the New York audience.
He expressed his love for the Big Apple, prior to taking his fans back to 2002 with “White America.” He was comfortable for the follow-up songs “Rap God” and “Sing for the Moment.” Brooklyn rapper Phresher accompanied him in the remix version of “Chloraseptic.” His breakthrough single, “Just Don’t Give a Fuck,” from 1998, displayed his ‘don’t give a damn’ attitude about life.
Singer-songwriter Skylar Grey was simply glorious. She joined him on stage for “Walk on Water,” as well as “Stan,” where she sang Dido’s part, and equally stunning was their impressive rendition of “Love the Way You Lie.”
50 Cent was another surprise musical guest, who joined him on stage for several songs including “Patiently Waiting,” his party anthem “In Da Club,” “I Get Money” and “Crack a Bottle.”
Eminem even gave a shout-out to Nicki Minaj, whom he dubbed as his “wifey.” “Nicki,” he exclaimed. “Let me tell you something about Nicki that she don’t even know. We go together,” he added. “That’s all I wanted to say. Thank you.”
He continued with “River,” “The Monster,” and “Nowhere Fast.” The powerhouse songs in the set was his classic hits “My Name Is,” “The Real Slim Shady,” “Without Me, “Not Afraid,” where he made this journalist feel like he was back in high school, in the best way possible. Eminem’s energy level and zest for his craft was infectious, and his allowed his artistry to shine throughout the night.
For his encore, Marshall Mathers returned to the stage for his signature tune, the unapologetic “Lose Yourself.”
The Verdict
Overall, Eminem commanded the Governors Ball stage for well over 90 minutes. Despite the pouring rain, he gave Randall’s Island Park a high-energy concert and a night of rap music to remember. His show garnered an A rating.
To learn more about Eminem, check out his official website.
