Eminem, backed by '8 Mile' co-star Mekhi Phifer, surprised the Detroit crowd Thursday at Universal's launch party for the film's DVD.
Rappers fill the stage at St. Andrews Hall in Detroit during the bash for the DVD bow of Eminem's film debut.
DETROIT -- He barely spoke or made eye contact when he walked the red carpet for the world preem of his debut movie, and he won't be showing up to sing his nominated song at the Oscars next weekend.
But Marshall Mathers, a.k.a. Eminem, went the extra mile for Thursday's DVD release party, delivering a knockout rendition of "Lose Yourself" and diving into the screaming crowd.
Although he had agreed to attend the "8 Mile" bash at the St. Andrews Hall in downtown Detroit -- home to the Shelter club depicted in the movie -- Eminem had not agreed to perform. So his unexpected appearance during a perf by "8 Mile" co-star Proof and fellow D12 group members electrified the crowd of about 600.
Eminem yanked off his shirt and launched into a high-energy performance of "Lose Yourself," only to be joined by co-star Mekhi Phifer.
Event, the latest in a spate of splashy DVD bows, included a 90-minute rap battle showdown with winners of Universal's national radio contest. Universal vid execs credited the rapper's attachment to the movie -- his life story -- for his willingness to flex promotional muscle for the DVD launch. And it didn't hurt that the event took place in Detroit in a building and among people very familiar to him.
"This is his house and these are his friends," said U homevid exec VP Ken Graffeo.
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