Eminem Honors Proof at Free "Relapse" Show in Detroit

Eminem made his official return to the stage last night, performing a free concert at Detroit's Motor City Hotel to celebrate yesterday's release of his long-awaited new album Relapse. The rapper performed eight songs in just under 40 minutes, rifling through seven Relapse tracks before bringing some D12 members on the stage for an encore of the 8 Mile hit "Lose Yourself." Nah Right has video of the entire performance.

(Check out photos of Eminem's secret Relapse release gig.)

"Detroit, did you miss me?," Em asked the crowd before "Hello." With DJ Alchemist on the tables and Kon Artis as hype man, Eminem sounded sharp bringing his fresh Relapse tracks to the stage. Em also paid tribute to his close friend Proof, who was shot and killed outside a local club in 2006. "I was a little bit nervous 'cause I don't have my right-hand man tonight. I know you know who I'm talking about," Eminem admitted as the crowd chanted "Proof!" The entire performance was filmed — professionally, not the cellphone quality footage on the Web now — and two of the songs will appear on Friday's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!. "This is one of the best shows I've probably ever done, because when I get off stage, I'm actually going to remember it," Eminem, who rhymes candidly about his pill addiction on Relapse, joked.

Yesterday prior to the show, Em turned his Detroit hometown into the playing field for a citywide scavenger hunt, sending fans running around the Motor City as he revealed clues as to the whereabouts of more tickets to the release-party gig via Twitter. "4 more tickets are in the Joe Louis fist monument on Jefferson. Look between the thumb & index," Em Tweeted. "Ok, Paul has a pair of tix at the Original Pancake House on Woodward and 14 Mile. He's hungry, so come quick" and "A man with a mohawk named Andrew is standing in front of Comerica Park at the Tiger. He has four tickets."

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

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