Detroit, MI — Two of Detroit’s biggest musical icons, Eminem and Jack White, set Ford Field ablaze on Thursday, Nov. 27, with an unforgettable halftime collaboration during the Detroit Lions’ Thanksgiving Day game.
The surprise performance marked the first time the two hometown legends have ever shared a stage — and it instantly became one of the most talked-about moments in recent Detroit music history.
A Legendary Halftime Collaboration
As fans packed the sold-out Ford Field for the Lions’ matchup against the Green Bay Packers, White took the stage to roaring applause, performing a fierce rendition of his 2024 solo single “That’s How I’m Feeling.” Moments later, the crowd erupted when White announced, “Detroit’s own Eminem!”
Dressed in a Lions jacket and hoodie, Eminem stormed the stage to deliver his powerhouse anthem “’Till I Collapse.” The rapper’s explosive verses intertwined with White’s searing guitar riffs from “Seven Nation Army,” creating a one-of-a-kind mashup that fused two of the 2000s’ most iconic songs.
“Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!” Eminem shouted as the crowd of 65,000 fans cheered him on.
White, sporting a leather jacket over a shirt emblazoned with the vintage Lions slogan “Another One Bites the Dust,” closed out the eight-minute set with a roaring, stadium-wide sing-along to “Seven Nation Army.” Lions cheerleaders joined in as the entire stadium chanted the song’s famous riff.
A Celebration of Detroit Music
The halftime show was produced under a new multi-year partnership between the Detroit Lions, Eminem, and his longtime manager Paul Rosenberg, who will oversee the Thanksgiving halftime performances through 2027.
Thursday’s collaboration marked a milestone for both artists. For White, it added Ford Field to a growing list of legendary hometown venues — from the Fox Theatre to the Michigan Central train station — where he’s performed. For Eminem, it was his latest in a string of local appearances that have kept his Detroit roots front and center.
The rapper hasn’t headlined a full hometown concert since 2014 at Comerica Park but has made surprise cameos at recent shows by Ed Sheeran and Jelly Roll, along with performing at the Michigan Central grand reopening concert last year alongside White.
A Night of Nostalgia and Pride
Detroit’s Thanksgiving celebration began on a high note, with gospel legend CeCe Winans performing a powerful rendition of the national anthem despite battling a cold. As fans filled the stands, chants of “Seven Nation Army” echoed throughout the stadium — fittingly foreshadowing the night’s main event.
By the time Eminem and White took the stage, the energy was electric. Their fusion of “Hello Operator,” “’Till I Collapse,” and “Seven Nation Army” bridged generations of Detroit music, blending the city’s rock and hip-hop heritage into one unforgettable performance.
White capped off the night with a heartfelt message to the hometown crowd:
“I love you, Detroit!”
The performance not only celebrated the Lions’ Thanksgiving tradition but also cemented the city’s reputation as one of America’s great music capitals — where rock, rap, and soul continue to collide in spectacular fashion.
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