There are shows, and then there are once-in-a-lifetime moments. That’s exactly what happened on June 27, 2000, when the Up in Smoke Tour hit Radio City Music Hall in New York City and Eminem stepped out with N.W.A., Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and MC Ren in a moment that shook the building and stamped itself into hip-hop legend.
The show kicked off with the cold, electric energy of “Straight Outta Compton” with Ice Cube and MC Ren dropping verses like it was still ’88 tight, loud and unapologetic. Then Snoop strutted out, smooth and untouchable, leading into a massive “Nuthin’ but a G Thang” that had the crowd bouncing like it was summertime in L.A. in the middle of NYC. But the crowd hit full tilt when Eminem came storming onstage mid-set, launching into “Forgot About Dre” with that signature fury. Dressed in a white tee, no gimmicks, just heat; he rapped with the same fire that made him the most dangerous name in music at the time.
N.W.A, Snoop Dogg & Eminem Live @ Radio City Music Hall, NYC – June 27, 2000
With over 16.9 million views; this video has become a time capsule of hip-hop’s golden era; the moment when legends united and passed the torch in real time and the chemistry onstage? Flawless. The verses? Word-perfect. The vibe? Untouchable. Every beat dropped harder with Em’s arrival, and when he ripped through “Forgot About Dre,” you could see the older heads nod; respect given, no questions asked.
And if that performance brought the nostalgia flooding in, you’ll love revisiting Eminem’s 2000 MTV Movie Awards performance of “The Real Slim Shady” a solo set that showed his comedic chaos and lyrical mastery in full force.
Eminem – The Real Slim Shady (Live at MTV Movie Awards 2000)
That moment was wild, hilarious, and unforgettable; the perfect counterpoint to his gritty, grounded showing on the Up in Smoke stage. It proves he could command any audience, any stage, in any mood.
Decades later, Eminem and his collaborators remain legends with fans old and new reliving these moments on YouTube, streaming platforms and social feeds where their influence still echoes louder than ever.