Jay-Z opened his four-show Home And Home Tour with Eminem on Thursday night by declaring victory — not over his headlining partner, but for his genre.

“Take this in. Ladies and gentleman, this is hip-hop music and this is how far we’ve come. We’re rockin’ stadiums!”

Perhaps deferring to the hometown headliner — Jay-Z went light on guests in Detroit but did bring out Jeezy for a four-song mini-set, while Memphis Bleek joined in as hype man for two-thirds of the show, starting with “Take Over” and “You Don’t Know,” and had the crowd twirling T-shirts during “Big Pimpin’.”

Eminem clearly felt that he had something to prove Thursday night, “Goddamn it, Detroit, I’m back, man,” said Eminem, sweating profusely through his gray T-shirt. “Did you miss me, or what? Goddamn, it feels good to be back!” He had plenty of help with his return. In addition to hype man Denuan Porter — the D12 mate who’s replaced Eminem’s late mentor Proof — at his side, there was DJ Alchemist and a full band that featured “Lose Yourself” and Was (Not Was) alumnus Luis Resto on keyboards, as well as an extensive stack of pre-recorded vocal layers. Detroit rapper Trick Trick came out for some hometown love with “Welcome 2 Detroit,” while the rest of D12 came out for “Fight Music,” “Purple Pills” and the comical “My Band.”

 B.o.B., who opened the evening with his own half-hour set, recreated “Airplanes Pt. II,” though Eminem band singer Liz Rodrigues subbed for Paramore’s Hayley Williams – as she also did for Rihanna on “Love the Way You Lie” and Dido on “Stan.”

Drake made the scene for a version of his hit, “Forever,” proclaiming it an “honor” to perform with “the legend that is Eminem.” 50 Cent joined Eminem for “Patiently Waiting,” then gave the star a break while he performed “I Get Money” and “In Da Club” with G-Unit cohort Lloyd Banks.

The stadium shook when Dr. Dre came on stage for “Still Dre” and “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang,” with Eminem taking up Snoop Dogg’s parts.

It was a winning night, even if it wasn’t a competition, and Eminem appeared genuinely touched as he dedicated “Lose Yourself” to the hometown fans who showed him such great support since 2005. “I am so motherf***ing happy to be back!” he declared. The feeling was mutual.

Source Billboard.com