The Rap game has many has many iconic legends amongst its top tiers and Australian fans have been praying for the one Rap God Eminen to make his long awaited return down under. Now their prays have been answered as he currently raps his way across Australia with his RAPTURE 2019 stadium tour. Accompanying Eminem are, fresh hot talent Boogie, the legend Royce Da 5’9 and Australia’s own Hilltop Hoods what a night it is going to be underneath the southern cross at Sydney’s ANZ stadium.
The Opening acts have done their job well and full props to those Adelaide legends but it is time for what we all came here for. As the stadium rises to its feet the moment had come for us to loose ourselves in the music and the moment. Using the giant screens to project himself the size of Godzilla Eminem does a Hollywood style video entry. ANZ is lit up by cell phone light alone and with out a note even dropped or spoke the crowd is roaring, and then the man himself opens his mouth the words come out and the fire works begin vocally and physically.
Stadium shows for me can be such a loss in connection with the artist but Eminem engages with his all his true fans in the stadium tonight as if we were all family. It is truly a unique experience to be in the presence of over 70,000 people and all unison sing “You don’t wanna fuck with Shady because Shady will fucking kill you”
And its not just on that one song it a whole collection of wicked rhymes from throughout his astonishing career, I found the highlight of the show came when the beautiful Skylar Grey came out backed by an orchestra, her and Eminem performed Walk On Water, Stan and Love The Way You Lie. The three women who recorded these songs with Eminem are the best in the business and Skylar truly stepped up and filled their shoes, Eminem playful as ever rewards her sensational performance by leading the crowd in a Happy birthday sing along to the dazzling songstress.
The setlist would then continue and on stage he would be accompanied by Boogie and Royce da 5’9 finishing things out in spectacular fashion with a three punch combo of My Name IS, The Real Slim Shady and With Out Me. You can hear the true sincerity in his voice and heart felt appreciation he has for all his fans as he leaves us with Not Afraid. The encore was something truly beautiful, I don’t wanna give it away but it gave us all one last chance to loose ourselves.
Tonight Sydney witnessed Eminem spit his lyrical venom live and it was insane. Melbourne, Perth and Wellington your next.
Melbourne – Sunday 24 February at the MCG
Perth – Wednesday 27 February at Optus Stadium
Wellington – Saturday 2 March at Westpac Stadium
Review – Chad Heard
Photos – Jeremy Deputat