Eminem delivered a high-energy opening performance at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, reminding fans why he remains a powerhouse in the industry. On Wednesday, Sept. 11, the rapper, 51, took to the stage at New York’s UBS Arena, kicking off the event with a live debut of his latest hit, “Houdini,” while donning a Slim Shady wig — a playful throwback to his iconic persona.
Surrounded by performers also sporting similar wigs in homage to his music video, Eminem quickly transitioned by removing the wig and switching to a black baseball cap as he performed “Somebody Save Me,” which features Jelly Roll. Although Jelly Roll couldn’t attend, his vocals were projected on the arena’s massive screens, adding to the electrifying atmosphere.
This marked the television debut of tracks from Eminem’s 12th studio album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), which was released in July. The album’s concept-driven narrative was highlighted in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), where Eminem clarified, “Public service announcement: the ‘death of slim shady’ is a conceptual album, therefore, if you listen to songs out of order they might not make sense. Enjoy.”
At this year’s VMAs, Eminem garnered eight nominations, including video of the year, best hip-hop, and artist of the year. His latest album’s lead single, “Houdini,” reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, while The Death of Slim Shady claimed the top spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
In addition to Eminem’s dynamic performance, the night featured a star-studded lineup, with performances from artists like Katy Perry, Anitta, Karol G, Shawn Mendes, and Lenny Kravitz. Perry, who is set to receive the prestigious Video Vanguard Award, will perform a medley of her greatest hits — including material from her upcoming 143 album.