The night EMINEM fans have been waiting for is almost here. After months of playing his records in the car, the office, at the gym and at every other possible moment (yes we are getting rather good at rapping actually, thanks for asking), ‘Eminem weekend’ is finally arriving in the UAE.
The gig at Abu Dhabi’s du Arena on Friday (October 25) is going to be huge. He’s the kind of artist who appeals to everyone, whether you’re young or old, into rock, pop or dance, it’s a safe bet that you have at least one or two Eminem albums in your playlists.
To call him a legend of the music scene is no exaggeration, and we catch up with the man himself (be cool everyone) ahead of his second gig in the capital.
The 8-Mile star last performed here as part of Formula One weekend in 2012, and the rapper has fond memories of the show.
“It was a great audience. I had never been to Abu Dhabi before and didn’t know what to expect,” he says. “The energy was incredible, and it made the show a highlight for me.”
With an endless list of hits in his back catalogue, including classic tracks like Real Slim Shady, Without Me, Lose Yourself, My Name Is, Love The Way You Lie featuring Rihanna and of course tear-jerker Stan featuring Dido (who is coming to Dubai Media City to perform in December), we’re desperate to know what’s on the set list and if we can expect any guest appearances.
But Eminem is keeping tight lipped on the finer details. “My fans know that I’m big on the element of surprise,” he says. “So you’ll have to come and find out.”
Although we’ve got our fingers crossed for a surprise appearance from Rhi Rhi, it’s not like he actually needs any help to put on a spectacular show.
Known for his energy and tough on-stage persona, we can’t help but wonder what the real Slim Shady is like when he’s relaxing at home and watching Netflix.
“Obviously I’m a different person at home than I am on stage, anyone who listens to my lyrics knows that I think. But do I feel like I’m a split personality? No, I feel like I’m me. Like any other artist sometimes I’m telling stories in my music, creating characters and situations that aren’t necessarily real, hopefully everyone realises that by now.
“I don’t like to call what I do a ‘job’ though because I’ve had jobs that sucked, but I think everyone can relate to the fact that they act differently when they’re working than how they do at home, especially entertainers.”
His first hit album Infinite was released in 1996, but more than 20 years later, he is showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, many were surprised when his latest record Kamikaze was released only a year after 2017’s Revival launched onto the scene.
“After Revival I had a lot to address,” he comments. “A lot to get off my chest. When I’m in that zone where I’m responding to a current state of affairs like that, I don’t waste any time putting the music out.”
Certainly not one to keep quiet, Eminem is easily considered to be one of biggest names in music and a survey by Ranker, which involved two million votes, recently saw him named as the Best Rapper of all Time. But still he remains modest about taking that title.
“I don’t know if anyone is actually the greatest overall,” he says.
“I think different people are great at different things. There are parts of what I do that I think I’m better than others at but then there are things that other rappers do that I think they are great at, so it’s not something I really think about myself. But I’m really honoured to even be thought of as being close to the same level as other rappers who I think are truly great.”
He’s no doubt the biggest inspiration for so many young rappers, and his advice for up-and-coming artists is to simply “work hard and stay focused”.
“Don’t pay attention to any of the people in your ear telling you how hard it is to make it, or that you don’t stand a real chance,” he says. “If you have the drive, you can’t let things stand in your way, especially your haters.”
Guess who’s back on the playlist for our roadtrip to the capital this weekend?
From Dhs395. Fri Oct 25, 6.30pm onwards. du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.ticketmaster.ae.
