Dr. Dre (a 2016 inductee as a member of N.W.A.) inducted his longtime friend and collaborator Eminem, recalling their first meeting and initial recordings. Em thanked Dre as "the man who saved my life," and saluted virtually every rapper who has ever inspired him. The 50-year old star then performed a medley of career-spanning hits; opening with his breakthrough single "My Name Is..." before launching into "Rap God." Aerosmith's Steven Tyler (inducted in 2000 with the band) made a surprise appearance for “Dream On/Sing for the Moment." Pop star Ed Sheeran guested for a live rendition of Em's classic “Stan,” before Em ripped through “Forever” before closing with “Not Afraid.”
The night was full of highlights. After his partner Terry Lewis gave his speech, Jimmy Jam quipped: “That’s the most I’ve ever heard Terry talk in my whole life.”
And Jimmy Iovine offered some sage advice.
“Thank the people who mentored you and try to be a mentor for somebody else whenever you can," he said. "Because the truth is, no one gets to a moment like this alone.”
