Man Misunderstands Eminem’s Ties to Detroit

It’s not uncommon for talent to leave their hometown and seem to forget about giving back to the community. Life in the spotlight gets hectic, and time becomes a rare commodity. However, one of Detroit’s biggest stars, Eminem, serves as a stellar example of how to maintain a strong relationship with the city that shaped him.

Despite his efforts, one Facebook user in the public group Beats, Rhymes & Lounge had a different take. This user, apparently not from Detroit, criticized Eminem for not contributing enough to the city. The post stated, “This is why Detroit barely fw him..Will shoot a video there but won’t be active in or help rebuild his community..Don’t collab with they new wave either ‍♂️ #culturevulture #notlikeus”. The post included a photo from XXL Magazine’s article about Eminem’s music video for his song Tobey, recorded in front of his childhood home in Warren.

What’s essential to note is that the scene of Eminem sitting on the steps of his childhood home was created using CGI, as was the background throughout the video. Featuring in the song Tobey are Big Sean and BabyTron — with Big Sean hailing from Detroit and BabyTron from Ypsilanti. While Big Sean is more established, BabyTron, who is just 24, showcases his talents by rapping for the first 1:40 of the song and carrying the chorus. Clearly, Eminem’s collaboration includes new wave artists.

Eminem’s involvement in Detroit isn’t limited to just “shooting a video.” He played a pivotal role in reopening the Michigan Central Station in Detroit back in June, performing his hit single Houdini. He also made an appearance for the NFL Draft in April and was a vocal supporter of the Detroit Lions during their historic 2023 season.

The post in question garnered nearly 1,000 laugh reactions, with many commenters pointing out Eminem’s numerous charitable endeavors. His foundation, the Marshall Mathers Foundation, primarily assists disadvantaged and at-risk youth in Detroit and its surrounding communities.

Eminem’s countless efforts and dedications to Detroit illustrate his ongoing commitment to the city. To suggest otherwise would be a gross misrepresentation of his contributions and love for his hometown.

Source: XXL Magazine, Facebook