He’s the biggest name performing at the 2018 Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival.
But on Saturday night, 45-year-old Eminem courted controversy when gunshot effects played as part of his performance instilled panic in the crowd at his Manchester, Tennessee show.
‘I’ve never felt more traumatized,’ tweeted one user of the experience.
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Showman: On Saturday night, 45-year-old Eminem courted controversy when gunshot effects played as part of his performance instilled panic in the crowd
Panic ensued during the 8 Mile star’s performance of his song Kill You.
According to Billboard, ‘many fans screamed and ducked as a series of loud blasts rang through the crowd.’
But rather than being actual gunfire, it turned out to just be a sound effect incorporated into the song.
The Academy Award winning songwriter drew criticism for including such an effect in the wake of the deadly mass shooting at Las Vegas’ Route 91 country music festival last year.
Terror: Panic ensued during the 8 Mile star’s performance of his song Kill You
Polarizing figure: According to Billboard , ‘many fans screamed and ducked as a series of loud blasts rang through the crowd’
Many fans took to Twitter to criticize the Lose Yourself hitmaker for his insensitivity.
User @sandwahhh wrote ‘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.’
Misinterpreted: But rather than being actual gunfire, it turned out to just be a sound effect incorporated into the song
Online chaos: Many fans took to Twitter to criticize the Lose Yourself hitmaker for his insensitivity, while others defended the rapper
However other users weighed in to defend the star, like @Kay_Potato1 who wrote, ‘But haven’t Eminem’s songs always had gunshot sounds in them?’
Critics of Eminem -whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III- were quick to stand behind their original statements.
One user retorted: ‘I’m not gonna apologize for tweeting about being scared i’m not a social justice warrior i was terrified and so were people around me and that’s valid enough to talk about it.’
Also performing at the annual festival were such musical acts as The Killers, Low Cut Connie and Cheryl Crow.
Confusion: The Academy Award winning songwriter drew criticism for including such an effect in the wake of the deadly mass shooting