Eminem Opens 2024 MTV VMAs With New Army of Slim Shady Clones — Watch and Grade ‘Houdini’

The Real Slim Shady was the first to stand up on Wednesday, opening the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards with a performance of his multi-nominated single “Houdini.”

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And as a cheeky little throwback to his iconic 2000 VMAs appearance, Eminem took the stage flanked by an army of clones, albeit ones wearing black shirts this time instead of rocking the classic white look.

Watch Eminem’s VMAs performance below:

In addition to being up for Artist of the Year, Eminem entered Wednesday’s ceremony with six nominations for “Houdini”: Video of the Year, Best Hip-Hop Video, Song of the Summer, Best Visual Effects, Best Editing and Best Direction. Eminem himself also wound up in the Most Iconic VMAs Performance category for his dual delivery of “The Real Slim Shady” and “The Way I Am” in 2000.

Eminem has previously taken home 13 VMAs over the course of his career, beginning with Best New Artist in a Video (now just Best New Artist) in 1999, which he won for “My Name Is.” He has received nearly 50 additional nominations.

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Eminem also has a history of memorable VMA performances, beginning in 1999, when he shared the stage with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. He then famously returned in 2000 with an army of Eminem look-alikes for his performance of “The Real Slim Shady”/”The Way I Am.” His next performance came in 2002 via a dramatic combination of “White America” and “Cleaning Out My Closet,” followed by “Not Afraid” and “Love the Way You Lie” alongside Rihanna in 2010. After ghosting the VMAs for more than a decade, Eminem returned to the stage in 2023 with Snoop Doog for a performance of “From the D 2 the LBC.”

Eminem was one of several highly anticipated performers this year, along with Anitta, Benson Boone, Camila Cabello, Chappell Roan , GloRilla, Halsey, Karol G, Katy Perry , Lenny Kravitz, Lisa, LL Cool J, (host) Megan Thee Stallion, Rauw Alejandro, Sabrina Carpenter and Shawn Mendes.

Hit PLAY on the video above to watch footage of Eminem’s VMA performance, then grade it in our poll below and drop a comment with your full review.

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