Manchester, TN - Paul Rosenberg, Eminem’s longtime manager and the CEO of Def Jam Recordings, has refuted reports of Slim Shady using a gunshot sound effect at the 2018 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. According to him, the sound sparking the controversy was a pyrotechnic concussion that Eminem’s been using for over a decade.
“Contrary to inaccurate reports, @Eminem does not use gunshot sound effects during his live show,” Rosenberg wrote on Instagram. “The effect used by Eminem in his set at @bonnaroo was a pyrotechnic concussion which creates a loud boom. He has used this effect — as have hundreds other artists — in his live show for over 10 years, including previous US festival dates in 2018 without complaint.”
(This post has been updated. The following was originally published on June 10, 2018.)
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Eminem is no stranger to controversy, but this time, it has nothing to do with the content of his lyrics.
Slim Shady has come under scrutiny for using a gunshot sound effect during his set at the 2018 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on Saturday (June 9). The rap superstar used the sound multiple times in his performance, which scared some concertgoers in light of the frequency of mass shootings in the United States.
Pyrotechnics imitating a gunshot during Eminem’s Bonaroo set had the crowd shook ? pic.twitter.com/ZCWSlI8s3Z
— N@ (@natsasss) June 10, 2018
Disappointed in @Bonnaroo for allowing gun shots in @Eminem’s set. So much for #radiatepositivity. #GunControl#PTSDawarenesspic.twitter.com/UsKpCWLX9o
— Gabrielle (@Gabsrielle) June 10, 2018
Multiple Twitter users expressed their outrage and disappointment over Eminem’s performance. Some attendees said they left the festival due to his use of the sound.
Honestly, fuck Eminem. Added gunshots to his set. Had to leave. So disgusting and distasteful. Shame on you.
— Bella Lowery (@helloitsbella) June 10, 2018
i was having a good time at eminem’s set then he played a realistic gunshot noise. the whole crowd ducked and i’ve never felt more traumatized and ready to panic. completely inappropriate
— Al Veronica / 29 Days (@Embackforeveng3) June 10, 2018
doesn’t matter if eminem has had gun shot effects in the past, the crowd was actually scared and shaken up because of how actually realistic it is
— red (@sandwahhh) June 10, 2018
Literally just lost all respect for @Eminem . You’re seriously gonna set off gunshots at a festival?? Literally so many people were scared and left the set immediately… i know you haven’t performed in forever but keep up with the current issues dude.
— Shelbie R Houseman (@ShelbieHouseman) June 10, 2018
Less than a year after Vegas and @Eminem thinks it’s a good idea to blast gun shot sfx onstage at a music festival? Bad call on this headliner @bonnaroo. What happened to Radiate Positivity?
— Brad King (@BradKing32) June 10, 2018
Eminem needs stop poppin off guns during his show.. literally has everyone ducking, weaving AND bobbing
— phoenix (@ThatsSoPhoenix) June 10, 2018
coming from a performing stand point, i get the effect of sound effects on stage, but there’s a certain point that cross’s the line. i’m one of eminem’s number 1 fans but to hear 3 gun shots coming straight from his set had me scared af. not gonna lie. especially in this world…
— M (@macykatemusic) June 10, 2018
Worst decision ever to ask @Eminem to play, @bonnaroo. My night was awesome but now I’m in absolute tears and shaking because I thought the multiple gunshots from his performance from across Centeroo were real. This is not OK.
— sara (@sarabenyo) June 10, 2018
Others on Twitter defended Eminem, noting that has been using the gunshot sound for years. Slim Shady has even used it this year without facing such backlash.
i literally saw eminem less than a week ago NO ONE was triggered / scared of the gunshot noise that has been performed for YEARS LMAO you’re begging for attention go home https://t.co/E9ZCZuFORE
— kailey (@kaileypost666) June 10, 2018
The Kill you outro Gunshot has been part of The Eminem live shows since 2001. Why all of a sudden is Tennessee getting all cut up about it? The millions of people who have seen Em do it haven’t had a problem. You don’t deserve Eminem ffs.
— Mainly Eminem (@MainlyEminem) June 10, 2018
It’s not Eminem’s fault that it’s now normalized to be afraid going to a concert. Guns are allowed in the US. And Americans glorify them. Maybe y’all should worry about that instead of a fake gun shot.
— anna (@radiatelovve) June 10, 2018
You claim to have grown up loving eminem and his music girl and yet you complain abt it now after years of hearing one of his oldest songs that has a gunshot effects on it ??? https://t.co/hJbGBHBPbP
— Audrǝy (@CaterpillarBtch) June 10, 2018
I don't really see why people are freaking out about this gunshot sound effect in Eminem's Bonnaroo performance. I mean, if you didn't expect it, I could understand your body jumping a bit from surprise. But, to give him crap for doing a performance the way he has many times…
— ★ChellyBeans★ (@fall_out_love) June 10, 2018
Eminem hasn’t publicly commented on the matter at this time.
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