Eminem and Jay-Z have been in the rap game for more than 20 years. They are one of the few artists with the longest run and still active in the music industry. Their longevity is something any artist should aspire to. In 2010, they came together for their victory lap in “The Home and Home Tour.”
Eminem and Jay-Z have had similarities in their careers. Both released their debut albums in 1996. Back then, Eminem, a kid from Detroit, is trying to make it as a rapper. But his first studio album “Infinite” only sold between 500-1,000 copies. A bummer, straight dream-shattering.
Meanwhile, in the Marcy Projects of New York, there is this other kid who also aspires to be a rapper. He goes by the name of Jay-Z. His debut album “Reasonable Doubt” managed to sell over 400,000 copies. A failure at the time when successful records were reaching platinum status.
Unlike Em’s “Infinite,” Jay’s “Reasonable Doubt” aged like a good vine. Within time, the LP is now considered a classic in the Hip-Hop genre. In 2001, they teamed up for their perfectly executed collaboration “Renegade,” which appeared on Jay-Z’s second classic, “The Blueprint.”
In addition, a second analogous year was 2009. Eminem was returning from a five-year hiatus after battling drug addiction. Once he got sober, he commemorated his comeback with his “Relapse” album whereas after contemplating retirement for a few years, Jay-Z was back with “The Blueprint 3.”
All roads led to the following. On May 12, 2010, Eminem and Jay-Z went on live TV to announce they were doing two concerts. One in Detroit, Comerica Park, and another in New York, Yankee Stadium (USA), called “The Home and Home Tour.“
Once the tickets went on sale, they immediately sold out. Thus, they added two extra shows. September 2nd and 3rd at Comerica Park and September 13th and 14th at the Yankee Stadium.
Similar to a Baseball Home series. But instead of announcing a loser team after nine innings, fans packed the stadiums to crown two winners. Different paths yet the same goal in mind. Daydreaming to one day hit a home run with a successful record.
“The Home and Home Tour” is the culmination of ups and downs. It is their victory lap. Nothing more gratifying than coming back to their respective hometowns, where it all started, looking back over their shoulders and grasping at the idea that in the ’90s, it was all a dream.
Nonetheless, had they been carried away by criticism in 1996 and wouldn’t have picked the mic again, chances are one would still be flipping burgers and the other still dealing. Hence, they flipped the script, against all odds.
“Raising my fingers to critics,
-Jay-Z & Eminem, Renegade (2001)
raising my head to the sky,
B.I.G. I did it, multi before I die.
Just know I chose my own fate.”
September 2010 was a historic month for Hip-Hop. Their victory lap featured guest appearances from the likes of Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Kanye West, Drake, Swizz Beatz, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and many more.
Check out the following clip of the “Home and Home Tour” by Eminem and Jay-Z in the link below.
- “Home and Home Tour” by Eminem and Jay-Z (Shady Records, Roc Nation / Roc-A-Fella Records, 2010). ↩︎
- “Home and Home Tour” by Eminem and Jay-Z (Shady Records, Roc Nation / Roc-A-Fella Records, 2010). ↩︎
- “Home and Home Tour” by Eminem and Jay-Z (Shady Records, Roc Nation / Roc-A-Fella Records, 2010). ↩︎
