Eminem, wearing a blonde wig, referenced his iconic 2000 stage performance as he opened the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards. He also led a crew that looked like they were all in black tees with bleached hair to perform Houdini, the leading single that he took from his newest album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).
Houdini stands as a nod to “Without Me,” a hit song that he dropped in 2003, after which he came back to perform “Somebody Save Me,” one that includes pre-recorded footage of Jelly Roll, who is on tour.
Eminem, tied with Peter Gabriel for the most VMA wins by a solo male artist, last performed in 2022 with Snoop Dogg. He last opened the show in 2010 with Rihanna. This year, he’s nominated for eight awards, including Video of the Year, Best Hip-Hop, and Most Iconic Performance for his 2000 medley.
The rapper has revealed the album’s Expanded Mourner’s Edition that will be live on Friday a day before the VMAs. He teased it with a video that reveals Slim Shady as one that is missing on a milk carton.
Other talented artists who performed are Anitta, LL Cool J, Shawn Mendes, and Black Pink’s Lisa.