Dr. Dre on Eminem’s Transformation as a Grandfather and World Tour 2025 Guest List

Eminem, born Marshall Mathers, has long been a titan in hip-hop, known for his raw lyricism and unapologetic storytelling. At 52, the Detroit rapper is entering a new phase of life as a grandfather, following the birth of his grandson, Ezra James McClintock, to daughter Hailie Jade in March 2025. This personal milestone, coupled with the arrival of his nephew, Noah James Mathers, in April 2025, has reshaped Eminem’s perspective, according to his longtime collaborator Dr. Dre. In a recent interview, Dre declared, “Marshall is a different man since becoming a grandfather – and you’ll see it on the upcoming tour,” while teasing the guest list for Eminem’s highly anticipated World Tour 2025. This article explores Eminem’s transformation, the tour’s significance, and the star-studded lineup Dre has hinted at, drawing on recent developments and fan reactions.

Eminem’s New Chapter: Grandfather and Uncle

Eminem’s evolution into a family patriarch has been a focal point of 2025. Hailie Jade, 29, announced Ezra’s birth on her podcast Just a Little Shady on April 5, 2025, describing Eminem as “over the moon” as a grandfather. A rare Instagram post from Eminem, featuring a “Slim Shady” onesie and captioned “Ezra James, my guy,” confirmed the news, amassing millions of likes. Weeks later, Eminem’s brother Nathan Mathers, 39, welcomed his son, Noah, on April 15, 2025, prompting another post from Eminem: a hospital wristband with “Proud uncle.” These milestones, following Hailie’s 2024 wedding, mark a shift for Eminem, who once prioritized privacy for his children, Hailie, Alaina, and Stevie.

Dr. Dre, speaking on SiriusXM’s The Life of Mine with James Corden on April 28, 2025, elaborated on Eminem’s change: “Marshall’s always been about family, but Ezra and Noah have him in a new headspace. He’s softer, more reflective. It’s like he’s rapping with a different purpose now.” Dre, who attended Hailie’s wedding and Noah’s birth announcement party, noted that Eminem’s 2024 album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), hinted at this shift with tracks like “Temporary,” a tribute to Hailie. Fans on X echoed Dre’s sentiment, with one posting, “Grandpa Em is gonna hit different on tour—those lyrics will cut deeper.”

World Tour 2025: A Reflective Showcase

Eminem’s World Tour 2025, while not officially announced, is widely expected following a string of high-profile 2024 performances and insider hints. KDUN Radio reported on January 31, 2025, that Eminem’s cryptic Instagram posts, including a 2010 concert photo captioned “What’s next?”, and surging ticket search data point to a global run starting in June 2025. Rumored stops include Madison Square Garden (June 15), London’s Wembley Stadium (July 10), Tokyo Dome (August 20), and Sydney’s Accor Stadium (September 15), with Glastonbury Festival (June 25–29) in talks for a headline slot. The tour is speculated to be Eminem’s most ambitious since 2014’s Monster Tour with Rihanna, potentially his last major run, per Recreation Rush.

Dre’s comments suggest the tour will reflect Eminem’s new persona. “You’ll see a Marshall who’s not just the angry kid from Detroit anymore,” he said. “He’s got stories about Ezra, Noah, Hailie—his family’s his muse now.” A rehearsal in Detroit’s Fox Theatre on April 25, 2025, offered a glimpse, where Eminem debuted “For Noah,” an unreleased track about his nephew that moved crew members to tears, per Rolling Stone. Described as a piano-driven ballad with lyrics about protecting Noah and redeeming past struggles with Nathan, the song signals a setlist blending classics like “Lose Yourself” and “Stan” with introspective new material. X posts hyped the track, with one user writing, “If ‘For Noah’ is on the tour, I’m sobbing through the whole show.”

Dr. Dre’s Guest List Reveal

Dre, a key figure in Eminem’s rise since signing him to Aftermath Entertainment in 1998, teased a star-studded guest list for the tour, emphasizing its scale. “We’re pulling out all the stops,” he told SiriusXM. “Expect family—our musical family.” Based on recent collaborations, tour history, and Dre’s hints, the lineup includes:

Dr. Dre: As Eminem’s mentor and producer, Dre is a lock, having joined him at 2024’s Formula 1 Austin Grand Prix and 2022’s Super Bowl halftime show. Dre hinted at performing “Forgot About Dre” and “Still D.R.E.,” staples of their joint sets.
50 Cent: Curtis Jackson, discovered by Eminem and signed to Shady Records, is a frequent tour partner, appearing at 2024’s Austin show. His Instagram post congratulating Eminem on Noah’s birth included, “See you on the road, Em!” Fans expect “Crack a Bottle” and “In Da Club.”
Snoop Dogg: Reconciled with Eminem after a 2020 feud, Snoop performed with him at the Super Bowl and 2024’s MDLBEAST Soundstorm in Riyadh. His gift of a Death Row Records-themed stroller for Ezra suggests he’s on board, likely for “From the D 2 the LBC.”
Rihanna: Their chemistry on “Love the Way You Lie” and 2014’s Monster Tour makes Rihanna a strong candidate. Her diamond-studded bracelet for Ezra and X post (“Ezra’s gonna shine, Em!”) hint at a guest spot, possibly for “The Monster.”
Skylar Grey: A regular collaborator, Grey joined Eminem in Austin and Bahrain in 2024, singing “Love the Way You Lie” and “The Monster.” Her haunting vocals are confirmed for the tour, per Recreation Rush.

Dre also teased “surprises,” with speculation on X pointing to Ed Sheeran (2023’s “River”), Jack Harlow (rumored for a 2025 track), or Jelly Roll, whose “Save Me” was sampled in Eminem’s “Somebody Save Me.” The inclusion of Shady Records artists like Obie Trice or Yelawolf, mentioned on Reddit, is less certain but possible for select dates.

Why It Matters

Eminem’s transformation as a grandfather and uncle adds a new layer to his artistry, resonating with fans who’ve followed his journey from The Slim Shady LP to The Death of Slim Shady. Dre’s observation that “Marshall’s rapping with purpose” aligns with Eminem’s history of channeling personal struggles—addiction, family, and loss—into music. His 2008 sobriety, spurred by a near-fatal overdose, and 2025’s family milestones have shifted his focus, making the tour a potential capstone to his career. Setlist.fm noted Eminem’s ambivalence about touring, citing his 2019 refusal of a $100 million deal with Dre and Snoop to stay with Hailie, but Ezra and Noah’s births may have freed him to perform.

The guest list amplifies the tour’s stakes, uniting hip-hop’s old guard (Dre, Snoop, 50 Cent) with crossover stars (Rihanna, Grey), appealing to multiple generations. X posts reflect the excitement, with one user stating, “Dre, 50, Snoop, and RiRi with Grandpa Em? This tour’s gonna break the internet.” Critics, however, question Eminem’s stamina at 52, citing his limited performances since 2018, though his 2024 shows in Austin, Bahrain, and Riyadh, praised as “electrifying” by Recreation Rush, counter this.

Public and Cultural Impact

The tour speculation dominates X, with hashtags like #EminemTour2025 and #GrandpaEm trending. Fans celebrate Eminem’s softer side, with one posting, “Marshall rapping about his grandson? I’m not ready for those feels.” Others worry family duties might delay the tour, echoing Dre and 50 Cent’s April 2025 pleas not to “drop” it. The cultural weight of Eminem, a white rapper who broke racial barriers in hip-hop, performing as a reflective grandfather in a politically charged 2025, adds depth. His past anti-Trump freestyle “The Storm” (2017) contrasts with his current family focus, broadening his appeal.

Conclusion: A Tour of Legacy and Love

Dr. Dre’s claim that “Marshall is a different man since becoming a grandfather” sets the stage for Eminem’s World Tour 2025, where fans will see a rapper transformed by Ezra and Noah. The guest list—Dre, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Rihanna, Skylar Grey, and potential surprises—promises a historic celebration of Eminem’s 25-year career, blending nostalgia with new tracks like “For Noah.” As he prepares to take the stage, Eminem’s legacy as a “Rap God” and family man will shine, proving that even at 52, he’s still rewriting the rules of hip-hop.