Two superstars, two stadiums, two concerts, two unforgettable events. In a rare co-headlining concert pairing, JAY-Z, who has scored more #1 albums than any solo artist in history, and EMINEM, the biggest selling artist of the 2000s, will share a stage with each headlining in his own hometown–EMINEM at Detroit’s Comerica Park and JAY-Z at New York’s Yankee Stadium. The Detroit show is set for Thursday, September 2 and the New York performance is scheduled for Monday, September 13. Both shows will be produced by Live Nation. JAY-Z and EMINEM made an appearance together earlier tonight at Comerica Park, where the Tigers hosted the Yankees, to announce the shows.
“This is a once in a lifetime set of shows and I know we’re both really going to bring it to our home towns” said EMINEM. “The fans are going to love this–and so am I. It’s gonna be historic.” Full EMINEM concerts have been few in recent years. His performance last October at the Voodoo Music Experience in New Orleans was his first full concert since summer 2005. His newest album, Recovery (Aftermath/Interscope), will be released June 22.
Said JAY-Z: “These shows are like a dream come true. I’ve always hoped that hip-hop could play any stadium like other genres of music. How perfect is it that Eminem and I get to play our hometowns and show how far the live rap experience has come? Fun and historic, a great combination all around the board.” JAY-Z is currently touring stadiums, arenas and festivals around the world in support of his latest #1 album, 2009’s Blueprint 3 (Roc Nation).
Since 1996, 10-time Grammy award winner, Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter has dominated the rap industry and set trends for a generation. Now in 2010, he personifies the “American Dream.” Founder and chairman of Rocawear, he is also co-owner of the NJ Nets, 40/40 sportsclubs, Translation Advertising and Carol’s Daughter skin line, as well involved in a partnership with Iconix Brand Group. After three successful years as President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, where he fostered the careers of international stars Rihanna, Ne-Yo and Kanye West, JAY-Z entered into a partnership with Live Nation to form Roc Nation. Through Roc Nation, JAY-Z released the Blueprint 3, his 11th #1 album, putting him ahead of Elvis for most #1 albums by any solo artist. He continues his philanthropic work through his Water For Live initiative and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.
EMINEM has sold more than 80,000,000 albums worldwide and won 11 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award. After 1999’s quintuple platinum The Slim Shady LP, The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) and The Eminem Show (2002) became two of the Top 5 best selling albums of the 2000s, with approximately 10,000,000 copies of each sold in the U.S. alone. 2004’s Grammy-nominated Encore reached #1 and was certified quadruple platinum. The #1, double platinum, 2005 greatest hits collection Curtain Call: The Hits and #2, platinum, 2006 various artists compilation Eminem Presents: The Re-Up followed. 2009’s Relapse, the #1-charting winner of the Best Rap Album Grammy was, at nearly double platinum, the best selling rap album of the year. “Not Afraid,” the first single off his upcoming Recovery album, was released two weeks ago and soared to #1 on the iTunes chart, and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week.
