Eminem and Jay-Z to co-headline US stadium shows

Rap superstars Jay-Z and Eminem are set to perform a pair of headlining concerts together in September, according to a May 13 announcement. The two will share the stage at stadiums in New York City and Detroit, the hometowns of the two artists.

On September 2, Eminem will headline a show at Detroit's Comerica Park, joined by Jay-Z; on September 13, Jay-Z will headline at New York's Yankee Stadium. The artists first announced the news during an appearance at Comerica Park, where the Detroit Tigers hosted the New York Yankees.

"This is a once in a lifetime set of shows and I know we're both really going to bring it to our home towns," said Eminem, whose newest album Recovery is due out June 22.

"I've always hoped that hip-hop could play any stadium like other genres of music," said Jay-Z, who is currently touring in support of 2009 album Blueprint 3. "Fun and historic, a great combination all around the board."

Eminem has sold 80 million albums worldwide and won 11 Grammy Awards. His first single from Recovery, "Not Afraid," debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, making the rapper the 16th artist in the chart's history with a single that topped the chart in its debut week. Jay-Z has sold 40 million albums worldwide and won ten Grammys. Blueprint 3 was his 11th album to reach #1 on the US Billboard 200 chart, surpassing a record previously held by Elvis.

The collaboration is not the first between the rappers: Eminem was featured on Jay-Z's "Renegade" from 2001 album Blueprint, also producing portions of that track and "Moments of Clarity" from subsequent release The Black Album. The two have also collaborated on several mash-ups, including a mix of Jay's "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" and Eminem's "My Name Is" for 2009 video game DJ Hero.

Tickets for the two shows are not yet available. Stay tuned throgh the artists' websites:

http://www.jay-z.com
http://www.eminem.com