Eminem rejected a million-dollar offer to appear at the 2022 Qatar World Cup
Eminem turned down a million-dollar offer to perform with 50 Cent at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the ‘Candy Shop’ rapper has revealed. Here are the details.
For years, the choice of Qatar to host the FIFA World Cup was criticized. However, the host country of the most watched sporting event on the planet was determined to put on quite a show, so it contacted some of the most recognized artists. However, some rejected the invitation, such as rapper Eminem.
Eminem rejected a million-dollar offer to appear in Qatar
In a new interview with Big Boy’s Neighborhood, 50 Cent revealed that he and Eminem were offered a total of $9 million to perform at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, Slim Shady reportedly did not want to do it.
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“Because of the Super Bowl, I got an inquiry about the World Cup and they had a budget of $9 million,” said 50 Cent, recalling his appearance at the halftime show of Super Bowl 2022 with Eminem, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar.
“I would have had one and then the other eight would have been for him,” added (via People).
“They said, ‘He’s not going to do it,’” said 50 Cent of the conversation he had with Eminem’s team.
While it’s unclear why the ‘Love the Way You Lie’' rapper declined the offer, there are speculations that his response could be linked to systemic discrimination against women and the LGBTQ+ community living in Qatar, as well as the reported deaths of several migrant workers who helped build the stadiums where the games were held. Eminem is known to have taken a strong stand on various political issues in the past.
Rod Stewart and Shakira also refused to appear in Qatar
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Stewart revealed that he was offered more than $1 million to perform there. “I rejected it. It's not okay to go. And the Iranians should also be out for supplying weapons,” he said. On the other hand, after a series of rumors that Dua Lipa would perform at this year's World Cup in Qatar, the singer clarified that she was never in negotiations to perform.
Shakira was also expected to participate and even do a song; however, sources close to the Colombian woman informed the news agency EFE that the artist would not attend the inauguration or any other part of the competition.