Rapper Eminem left fans traumatized with his performance at the Bonnaroo music festival Saturday night — using realistic gunshot sound effects that left some fans running for the exits in the wake of last year’s deadly mass shooting at a Las Vegas festival.
Rapper Eminem left fans traumatized with his performance at the Bonnaroo music festival Saturday night — using realistic gunshot sound effects that left some fans running for the exits in the wake of last year’s deadly mass shooting at a Las Vegas festival.
Fans screamed and ducked for cover as the blasts punctuated Eminem’s performance of the 2000 track “Kill You” during the hip-hop heavyweight’s headlining gig at the popular annual festival in Tennessee, attendees said.
“[I] was having a good time at Eminem’s set then he played a realistic gunshot noise,” tweeted an attendee with the handle @sandwahhh . “[T]he whole crowd ducked and I’ve never felt more traumatized and ready to panic. completely inappropriate.”
Added @macykatemusic, “coming from a performing standpoint, I get the effect of sound effects on stage, but there’s a certain point that cross’s [sic] the line.”
“[I]’m one of Eminem’s number 1 fans but to hear 3 gunshots coming straight from his set had me scared af. not gonna lie. especially in this world…”
The frightening effects came as some in the crowd were on edge after last October’s massacre at the Route 91 country music festival in Las Vegas.
In that bloodbath — the deadliest mass shooting in U. S. history — gunman Stephen Paddock opened fire with an assault rifle from a hotel room overlooking the festival, killing 58 and wounding over 800 more.
Others were quick to point out that the gunshot sound effect is nothing new at Eminem’s shows.
“The Kill you outro Gunshot has been part of The Eminem live shows since 2001,” wrote fan account @Mainly Eminem . “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.”
Eminem — born Marshall Mathers — had not addressed the controversy on social media as of Sunday afternoon.
