Detroit, June 4, 2025 — On May 18, 2025, Ford Field in Detroit became the epicenter of an unforgettable moment in music history as Jelly Roll, the Nashville-born country and rap star, lived out a childhood dream. The crowd of over 46,000 barely had time to react before Jelly Roll dropped to his knees, overcome with emotion. “He’s here. He’s here,” he said, his voice trembling, as his childhood idol, Eminem, emerged under the stadium lights. What followed was more than a duet—it was a raw, unscripted fulfillment of a lifelong dream, blending Jelly Roll’s past with his present in a way that left fans witnessing history.
The surprise unfolded during Jelly Roll’s opening set for Post Malone’s Big Ass Stadium Tour. After paying homage to Detroit’s Bob Seger with a cover of “Old Time Rock and Roll,” Jelly Roll launched into Eminem’s iconic “Lose Yourself.” Mid-song, the Motor City legend himself appeared, donning a military-style hoodie and cap, to join Jelly Roll for the second verse. The stadium erupted as the two finished the track side by side, with Eminem shouting, “Detroit, what up?! Make some noise for Jelly Roll!” Jelly Roll, visibly shaken, responded, “If you can’t tell, that was a childhood dream come true, Detroit.” The moment, captured in viral clips across social media, showcased a raw vulnerability that resonated deeply with fans.
Jelly Roll, born Jason Bradley DeFord in Antioch, Tennessee, has long cited Eminem as a formative influence. Growing up in a challenging environment—his father a meat salesman and bookie, his mother battling mental illness—Jelly Roll found solace in Eminem’s music. “I could recite every song on the Slim Shady album, the Marshall Mathers album, and the Eminem Show,” he shared on Instagram after the performance. As a teenager sneaking into Nashville’s rap cyphers, he often performed to the “Lose Yourself” beat, feeling a profound connection to Eminem’s lyrics about struggle and perseverance. “I related to every word Eminem wrote,” he added. “I felt like he understood me, which was rare because I spent most of my life feeling misunderstood.”
This wasn’t the first time the two shared a stage. Eleven months prior, at Michigan Central Station’s grand reopening, Jelly Roll joined Eminem and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to sing the hook on “Sing For the Moment,” which samples Jelly Roll’s 2020 hit “Save Me.” Eminem later sampled “Save Me” again on his 2024 album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), a collaboration that brought Jelly Roll to tears. But the Ford Field performance felt different—more personal, more visceral. It wasn’t just a collaboration; it was a full-circle moment for Jelly Roll, whose journey from jail at 17 to mainstream success mirrors the underdog narrative Eminem often rapped about.
The duet’s impact extended beyond the stage. Fans on social media called it “the coolest thing I’ve ever seen at a concert,” while Big Sean, a fellow Detroit native, dubbed Eminem “the GOAT” in a post online. Yet, some questioned the timing of Eminem’s appearance, noting it coincided with his first public outing of 2025, potentially serving as a promotional push for both artists. Regardless, the emotional weight of the moment was undeniable, with Jelly Roll’s tearful reaction and Eminem’s rare onstage warmth cutting through any skepticism.
Jelly Roll’s career has been defined by such raw authenticity, from his Grammy-nominated hits like “Son of a Sinner” to his mentorship on American Idol earlier this year. But this Detroit duet, a collision of his past dreams and present triumphs, may stand as his most powerful moment yet—a testament to the enduring power of music to connect, heal, and inspire.
