Eminem to fans: Thanks for help in dark times
NEW YORK (AP) - Eminem, who battled an addiction to prescription drugs, thanked his fans at a New York concert for helping him get through dark times.
The 39-year-old told hundreds Thursday night that he "wouldn't have gotten out of that dark place without y'all" before he performed the Grammy-winning song "Not Afraid." He said the performance was "dedicated to anybody tonight who's been through personal struggles."
Eminem's addiction and climb to sobriety is detailed in his 2010 album "Recovery." It was that year's best-selling album.
At the Hammerstein Ballroom the rapper performed more than a dozen songs at an event for the watch brand G-Shock, including the hits "Lose Yourself," ''Love the Way You Lie" and "The Real Slim Shady."
Hip-hop foursome Slaughterhouse opened for the Detroit-born rapper.
The 39-year-old told hundreds Thursday night that he "wouldn't have gotten out of that dark place without y'all" before he performed the Grammy-winning song "Not Afraid." He said the performance was "dedicated to anybody tonight who's been through personal struggles."
Eminem's addiction and climb to sobriety is detailed in his 2010 album "Recovery." It was that year's best-selling album.
At the Hammerstein Ballroom the rapper performed more than a dozen songs at an event for the watch brand G-Shock, including the hits "Lose Yourself," ''Love the Way You Lie" and "The Real Slim Shady."
Hip-hop foursome Slaughterhouse opened for the Detroit-born rapper.
Dark times? Eminem, you have always been white and always will be, nothing dark about youÂ
Eminem is a god and I've been the biggest fan of his since he hit the scene in '99. What an incredible talent. A rapper that actually talks to people in his music about real stuff and moves you. Legend!
 @CWUwildcats @CWUwildcats - "Eminem is a god..." Sounds like you need some treatment as well. . . ;-)
No Marshall - thank YOU for helping ME through my dark times.
Whatever Mr. Shady.... Oh, I mean Slime Shady..... Angry, whiny and demonic hateful music responsible for the continuance of the dumbing down of America's youth. Rap mostly promotes violence, drugs and wannabe gangsters in every culture it comes in contact with.
 @Funky-Munky
10,000 B.C: Ugh, ugh. Grock drop rock on foot and make scream that sound like bird in sky. Now young ones drop rocks on foot to make same bird noise. They are ruining the cave.
Â
1620: We've had quite enough of these Christian hymns and we must set off to the new world. Their music is ruining European society
Â
1780: This Mozart and his popularity is simply unpleasant to decent society. His music is ruining Vienna and is quite improper. His themes are immoral and all of the youth of the city are quite taken with him, as is the royal court. It is quite shameful.
Â
1843: The state of this great nation of ours is being ruined by the allowance of black youth to gather on Sundays in public areas in New Orleans and play that noise they call jazz music. It is an abomination I tell you sir and ruining America. Why I found my sweet little angel Marie down there with some other girls listening to that music. On a Sunday I tell you, a Sunday!
Â
1928: The evolution of big band music and the ballrooms are destroying our youth as they pursue frivilous things. It will be the destruction of America.
Â
1954: Elvis is ruining America's youth with his hips and rock and roll.
Â
1963: The Kingsmen slurred the lyrics to Louie Louie on purpose because they use foul language, it is ruining America's youth.
Â
1964: These Beatles are ruining America's youth with their rock and roll music
Â
1999: Marilyn Manson is ruining America's youth with his, her, its, his, music.
Â
2012: Funky-Munky - angry, whiny and demonic hateful music responsible for the continuance of the dumbing down of America's youth.
Â
Music, ruining society since Grock dropped a rock on his foot.
and you don't have any hate in your post at all. Good job!
Â
</SARCASAM OFF>
 @path_tech I do have disdain in my post.... astute observation </SARCASAM OFF>.
@Funky-Munky It seems a bit like you're the one being hateful. If you actually listen to Eminem's lyrics, you will find hate, anger, betrayal, addiction, remorse, love and redemption. I don't like rap, I prefer 70's rock, but blind generalizations just limit you, not the music.
 @kockatoo P.S. enjoy the music, culture and your day..... truly didn't mean to hurt his fans feelings. Rather I posted my beliefs, opinions and yes everybody has them. Good day and good journey.
 @kockatoo Hilarious..... "....but blind generalizations just limit you, not the music." talk to me when you have truly lived the life....... What hood are you from? What former experience do you have with gangs? What former experience do you have in the promotion and making of rap music? I have lived the so called life, culture and lyrics of his music. I have since educated myself, others and moved away from those glorifying the life of an O.G.! That includes the music.... sorry to offend your perception of reality.
I highly recommend you take a listen to his song Stimulate, which rather politely addresses people with your thought process. No one is asking you to enjoy his music, but to honestly think music is dumbing people down and not poor living situations is asinine. Paying attention to current American politics will give you a nice healthy dose of stupid, if someone is so easily swayed by the music they listen to, then they're going to be easily swayed by anything.