What a Difference a Year Makes…
The increasingly irrelevant spectacle known as the MTV Video Music Awards will be taking place in a few weeks. I plan on liveblogging for your reading pleasure. The MTV channel that still plays something other than Real World reruns, MTV Hits, has been airing classic performances in celebration. The performances are the usual ones they show during retrospectives, but Eminem’s two contributions really made an impact on me, because I watched them back to back.
Here is his first VMA performance from 1999, with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre
Look at the joy in his face as he performs “My Name Is.” He gets a visceral thrill when the crowd chants “Slim Shady!” after the break in the beat. He can’t believe his luck. He graciously shares the stage with Dre and Snoop, even though he is clearly the star attraction.
One year later…
Eminem is the biggest star in the world, and the thrill is gone. The joy has been replaced by rage. He gets through his performance with steely eyed resolve.
I can hear AJ Benza in my head right now:
Fame. Ain’t it a bitch?
