Eminem took center stage during Fortnite’s virtual “Big Bang” event last week, along with teasing several new experiences coming to the game, including Lego, racing, and a Guitar-Hero-inspired rhythm game. The performance was part of bringing the game’s latest season to a close.
Em’s digital avatar had a number of tricks up his sleeves. First, an in-game Slim Shady version of Eminem performed “Lose Yourself.” The MC topped this crowd-rocking track when a super-sized version performed “Godzilla,” breathing fire around a destroyed city.
Additionally, new Eminem player skins were revealed, alongside updated emotes and character variations. Lastly, more songs by the Detroit legend got added to Fortnite radio, including “Berzerk,” “Godzilla,” “Higher,” “Lighters,” “Not Afraid,” “Phenomenal,” “Survival,” “The Monster,” “Venom,” and “Cinderella Man.”
That’s not all, though. A brand new limited edition Eminem x Fortnite vinyl is now available, which can be purchased here. Additionally, re-watch the live event above.
Fortnite has also previously hosted performances by artists, including Travis Scott and Ariana Grande. And just recently announced its Fortnite Festival, which will feature multiple artists, including The Weeknd, complete with its own Rock Band-style music mode, one of the latest new game modes introduced.
In other Eminem news, the hip-hop icon released a digitally expanded edition of The Marshall Mathers LP 2 to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
Initially released in 2013, The Marshall Mathers LP 2 revisits what made Eminem a phenomenon in the first place. The album opens with “Bad Guy,” a track with an ominous yet familiar sound and features the almost poetic delivery of the original title. The song leans back into the ‘Stan Cinematic Universe’ to present the follow-up to arguably the most brilliant track of his career, “Stan.” Within minutes, it feels as if he’s returned to his creative peak. He weaves effortlessly through story-driven rhymes, while simultaneously addressing the current mortality surrounding his own career.
There are a bevy of sounds explored on The Marshall Mathers LP 2. In a few instances, Eminem recaptures the vibe of the original LP, dipping back into his crude outlook on love on “So Much Better” while in other moments adding the adrenaline-heavy, rock-tinged, post-MMLP anthems with “Survival” and “A_____e” featuring Skylar Grey.
He rekindles a musical affair with Rihanna on “The Monster,” a radio-ready confession of the pitfalls of fame, for his fifth No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. But perhaps his most noteworthy collaboration was alongside legendary producer Rick Rubin. Rubin produced the lead single “Berzerk,” reminiscent of Rubin’s early rock-rap sound of Run DMC, LL Cool J, and Beastie Boys (all hip-hop influences for Eminem). Rubin also plays maestro to the album’s most anticipated collaboration with then-wunderkind, now-hip-hop heavyweight Kendrick Lamar on the perky, folk-tinged rap “Love Game.”
Buy or stream The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (Expanded Edition).
