Image Credit: Jay-Z: Gary Miller/WireImage.com; Eminem: Albert MAlbert Michael/startraksphoto.comA troika of rap royalty graced the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater last night, as Jay-Z and Eminem played The Late Show With David Letterman while Diddy looked on approvingly from a seat on the sidelines.
Before the performance, “Jay” and “Em,” as Letterman learned to refer to them, did the typical Late Show shtick. Eminem read the Top 10, which included groaners like “Don’t get mixed up with drugs, gangs or oil executives,” but actually made it funnier by announcing them with a face so straight it looked like someone just shot his dog backstage. Eminem has always been adept at pretending not to be in on the joke, thus making things awkward-hilarious. Remember this? Jay-Z’s interview with Letterman, on the other hand, was definitely more on the awkward side than the hilarious side. After a bit of banter, the ever-chuckling host laid a trap for the rap-star/mogul/multiple retiree when they got to the subject of whether Lebron James should come to New York. Being part-owner of the Nets, Jay-Z was not against such a prospect, but Letterman quickly launched into a populist declaration that Lebron should stay in Cleveland and not “cut the heart out of that city.” The audience, many of which must have taken a day trip from Ohio, sided with Letterman and gave Cleveland so much love that I was expecting things to burst into the opening credits of The Drew Carey Show. Jay-Z could only peer out sheepishly from under his hat brim.
But he regained his composure once he got to the roof. Following a solid rendition from Eminem of his new single “Not Afraid,” the self-proclaimed Greatest Rapper Alive took the stage and performed the heck out of the chant-like “On to the Next One,” smiling and working the audience from a bunch of strangers awkwardly swaying and confusedly pointing into something resembling an actual crowd. Eminem then joined him for their Blueprint collaboration “Renegade,” giving everyone a taste of what to expect come September when the two play concerts scheduled in Detroit and New York
Those who caught the show, what did you think? Excited to see the two of them sharing the stage? Anyone hoping Letterman would jump up there with them and do a verse, maybe start a rap feud with Leno?
I usually don’t catch Letterman but I was glad I did last night. The interview with Jay-Z was funny and weird with a bit of awkward thrown in, in small part because of that stupid hat he wore. Eminem is back in top form and was that P.Diddy swaying in the background?
I thought both were great. It was also interesting that Letterman basically did a “Headlines” segment. Of course, somehow people will claim he was funny, but when Leno does something like that it is the lowest form of comedy.
You do know that dave did that bit long before jay ever did?
“Headlines” is one of the many things Leno has stolen from others… in this case, he stole it from Dave.
Most Leno fans think he created the entire world. Remember when Carson hand-picked Leno to be his replacement? Oh, wait…
It has nothing to do with being a Leno fan…it is just interesting that when one does something it is considered the lowest common denominator and when the other does it is supposed to be comic genius.
When Dave does it, it’s funnier. It’s as simple as that.
I watched it, and it was pretty good. I agree the Jay interview was actually pretty awkward. He was giving a lot of one word answers that kind of shut down the questions, i dont know why he would do that but he made it uncomfortable and we never got any actual answers from him so the interview sort of lost its meaning. I dont know why jay-z acts like that, its like he is too cool for everyone. The performance was enjoyable though.
To Jamie, I just wanted to give you a heads up. Jay-Z has been on Letterman 2 times before and each time the interview was quite long and nice. Letterman asked questions and Jay-Z answered, as most guests do, in a humorous manner, especially since Letterman always ribs some of his guest in order to get a laugh. The hat he should have removed. They also wanted the roof top show to be the focus on Friday night. He did answer the questions, however short they were.
i thought jay was pretty funny. I perfer short and sweet answers as opposed to long winded ones. But that’s just me! Eminem and Jay-Z’s performances were great and it was so cool how they were on the rooftop. Eminem is definatley back in top form and at the top of his game.
Jay totally busted out laughing at Dave’s boyscout/girlscout comment and was a good sport. Props to Dave for actually saying something that might be uncomfortable but on the the populous mind and playing off the awkwardness. And props to Jay for playing up the awkwardness as well. I thought it was all pretty darn funny.
And I can’t believe Em’s solo performance wasn’t mentioned in this article. He was kinetic and so spot on his game. Welcome back.
Last night was awesome!!! Jay-Z and Eminem were both spectacular, and Letterman continues to show why he is the King of Late Night.
“greatest rapper alive” must be similar to “smartest kid on the short bus” because I had a look at the two “songs” those clowns “performed” and they’re about as creative as the script for Saw IV. but hey, as long as the first amendment lets those morons claim verbal garbage is music, they’ll make millions.
**YAWN** And by the way they’ve already made millions. I never understand why people waste their time commenting on stuff they don’t like let alone wasting time watching stuff they don’t like, just so they can comment on it. Wait…..is that what they call “trolling”?
I don’t see anywhere on this EW page where it says “Nice Comments”. It says “Comments”. I agree with you Couchgrouch!
Let me sum up the couchgrouch and “Pete” position: Grrrr That rap-hop stuff isn’t music. Are you seriously so boring you don’t realize that your parents and their parents said the same thing about whatever “those crazy kids are listening to.” It’s not about Nice it’s called ENTERTAINMENT weekly and obviously the most popular American music of the past decade doesn’t entertain you so pfft — away with you. I agree with you ugh: **YAWN** and btw I don’t particularly like either of them but the importance of rap and hiphop is obvious.
You must have been watching a different interview than I was, because Jay-Z’s reactions to the things Dave said were getting more laughs than Letterman’s jokes. He played it just right and was an excellent guest — very quick thinking and funny. The two of them were hilarious together.
Very perceptive, JenR.
Thought the rooftop performance was sensational–reminded me of another great one long ago with the four brits. Camera work created great urban context for the rappers.
I agree. Eminem turned it out. He swings his lines with integrity and feeling.
Jay was good, but Em articulates rhythms better.
i liked the performances but what was up with that audience on the roof?! there were like at most 25 awkward looking people swaying unconvincingly. there should have been a lot more enthusiastic people (i know there are space limits, but still). the performances deserved a greater live audience.
The reason why Jay-z gave one word asnwers is because he is a partial owner of the Nets and he could get in trouble for tampering if he doesn’t think about what he says when discussing Lebron. He was biting his tongue
I caught the music portion and, from someone not too crazy about rap in general….best music performance on Letterman this year!
Yeah, this is not usually my musical genre of choice, but that concert kicked ass. I was really glad they gave us three songs instead of the single song we usually get.
And Dave really enjoyed the music (and hanging out with the fellows).
Eminem and Jay z were both very good wish i lived in detroit or new york to see that concert. Both Jay Leno and David Letterman suck, It should be conan and Craig ferguson hosting the tonight show and late night.
Coco
We bought our tickets to the Detroit show on Thursday, so I was super pumped for this show…plus, the Jay interview was HIGH-LARIOUS!! (yes, I know that’s spelled wrong!)
Loved the performance on the roof! But I would have watched Eminem perform just about anywhere. Really liked the Top Ten too. My sister swears that was not Jay-Z on the roof, said the guy was to chubby and the show advertising the performance as such was a gimmick. I have no idea who she thought it might be but I was only paying attention to Eminem’s performance anyway.