Eminem took to the stage for a rare performance at BMO Arena in Los Angeles last night, delivering a flurry of strikes at the start of the middleweight boxing match between Terence Crawford and Israel Madrimov.
The rapper, who recently released his chart-topping 12th studio album, “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce),” performed in support of Crawford, who previously walked out on him at a Las Vegas match last year. The 15-minute show took place before the match, with Em opening the show with his latest single, “Houdini.”
He doubled down on “Rap God” before calling out his chosen boxer. “California, make some f**king noise for Terence Crawford!” he declared, singing “Till I Collapse” featuring the late Nate Dogg and playing a short verse of Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” He closed out the song with the appropriately chosen “Cinderella Man” and closed out with the still-popular “Lose Yourself.”
Crawford won the bout 116-112, 115-113, 115-113 to become a four-division champion. “Israel was a tough opponent,” he told ESPN. “I knew it was going to be tough. … He's really strong, he's durable, he landed a lot of good shots and got me to the 12th round. … He had quick feet and good rhythm upstairs. … He was waiting to fight me just as I was waiting to fight him.”
Em’s performance was the latest in a series of “Death of Slim Shady” performances. In June, he performed a surprise four-song set at “Live From Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central,” a hometown event featuring Diana Ross, Big Sean, Jack White and more to celebrate the reopening of Michigan Central Station. Last month, he took the stage alongside Dr. Dre in London to launch his mentor’s gin and juice line.
