Ford Field, Detroit - July 15th, 2023
(original recording)
Growing up in England, Ed Sheeran was intrigued by Detroit, galvanized in particular by one of the city’s musical sons: Eminem.
That’s how Sheeran set the stage for fans Saturday night at Ford Field as he and his band embarked on a rendition of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.”
They had just rehearsed the song that day, so “let’s see how it goes,” he said, playing down expectations.
A capacity crowd delighted by the unexpected hometown homage soon erupted with a roar of hysteria.
A hooded figure was emerging from beneath the stage, and the reality quickly became clear: here was Eminem, making his first Detroit concert appearance in years, joining the festivities to perform his signature hit.
The two weren’t done there - after all, you can’t be onstage with Eminem in Detroit and do just one song, Sheeran said.
And so began “Stan,” Eminem’s 2000 hit, with Sheeran providing the Dido singing and Eminem delivering his rapped verses as he paced the stage.
“I appreciate you, Detroit,” Eminem said as he and Sheeran soaked in the adulation after their two-song surprise. “I love you!”
The two superstar artists go back several years now, having collaborated on songs such as “River” (2017), “Remember the Name” (2019) and “Those Kinda Nights” (2020), all of them global hits.
But Sheeran’s choice to spotlight a pair of Eminem homegrown classics on a Detroit stage was a gesture of honor for the rapper he had long admired. (Detroit Free Press)