UK TAKEOVER: Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and 50 Cent World Tour 2026 O2 Shows to Feature Two Surprise Guests Per Night, Identities Shrouded in Mystery

The hip-hop world is on edge as the rumored “UK Takeover” for the 2026 World Tour featuring Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and 50 Cent promises to deliver an electrifying spectacle at London’s O2 Arena. Fresh leaks suggest that the O2 shows will not only boast dual setlists, as previously reported, but also two surprise guest appearances per night, with the identities of these special performers kept tightly under wraps. Following whispers of an unreleased track tied to Eminem’s potential farewell and a possible Ice Cube cameo, this new development has fans speculating wildly about who might join these rap titans on stage. As of September 10, 2025, the tour remains unconfirmed, but the buzz around the O2 shows is reaching fever pitch, with social media ablaze over what could be a historic moment in hip-hop.

The O2 Arena: The Heart of the UK Takeover

The O2 Arena, London’s iconic 20,000-capacity venue, is no stranger to blockbuster hip-hop performances, having hosted Eminem’s 2017 revival tour and Snoop Dogg’s 2019 sellout show. Leaked reports claim the 2026 tour will include multiple dates at the O2, potentially June 12-14, with each night featuring a unique setlist and two surprise guests to keep the energy unpredictable. The dual-setlist concept—one night heavy on classics like “Still D.R.E.,” “In Da Club,” and “Lose Yourself,” and another showcasing rarities and the rumored unreleased track—already had fans hyped. Now, the addition of two mystery guests per night has sparked a frenzy, with fans on platforms like X and Reddit compiling dream lists of potential collaborators.

Who Could the Surprise Guests Be?

The secrecy surrounding the guest appearances has fueled rampant speculation. Given the artists’ deep ties to hip-hop’s history, the possibilities are tantalizing. Here are some of the top names fans and insiders are buzzing about:

Ice Cube: As a veteran of the 2000 Up in Smoke Tour with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem, Ice Cube is a strong contender. His potential appearance was hinted at in earlier leaks, with fans imagining him delivering “It Was a Good Day” or N.W.A classics like “Straight Outta Compton” alongside Dre. A Reddit thread speculated, “Cube at the O2 would be a West Coast takeover—N.W.A vibes in London!”
Kendrick Lamar: As Dr. Dre’s protégé and a Compton native, Kendrick’s appearance would bridge hip-hop’s past and present. His 2022 Super Bowl LVI performance with Dre, Snoop, Eminem, and 50 Cent was a cultural milestone, and his 2025 hit “Not Like Us” dominated charts. Fans on X are convinced he’d join for a high-energy “Humble” or a new collaboration, with one post stating, “Kendrick at O2 would break the internet!”
Rihanna: Despite her inclusion in debunked “One Last Ride” tour posters, Rihanna’s history with Eminem—co-headlining the 2014 Monster Tour and collaborating on “Love the Way You Lie”—makes her a plausible guest. A live performance of their hit in London would be a crowd-pleaser, though her limited touring since 2016 raises doubts.
Mary J. Blige: Another Super Bowl LVI alum, Mary J. Blige’s soulful R&B could add a dynamic contrast to the rap-heavy lineup. Her work with Dr. Dre on “Family Affair” makes her a natural fit, and fans speculate she could appear for a medley of early 2000s hits.
Jay-Z: Though a long shot, Jay-Z’s collaborations with Eminem (e.g., “Renegade”) and his global star power make him a dream guest. A surprise appearance in London, perhaps for a rare live “Moment of Clarity,” would send shockwaves through the O2.

Other names floating around include Aftermath alumni like Xzibit or Warren G, who were part of the original Up in Smoke Tour, or newer stars like Doechii or JID, reflecting the genre’s evolution. The secrecy, with no leaks on X or official statements, suggests a deliberate strategy to maximize suspense, possibly tied to Dr. Dre’s vision for a live-only experience with no recordings allowed.

The Unreleased Track and Eminem’s Farewell

The O2 shows are also rumored to feature the debut of an unreleased track, produced by Dr. Dre and featuring all four headliners, as teased in earlier VIP leaks. Described as a reflective piece with Eminem delivering a “farewell letter” to the industry, it could address his struggles with addiction, the loss of peers like Proof, and rap’s streaming-era shift. Unverified lyric snippets like “This is my last verse, the curtain call” have fans debating whether this is Eminem’s retirement announcement or a thematic flourish. The track’s live-only nature—no studio release, no leaks—adds to its mystique, with the O2 potentially serving as its grand stage.

The Dual Setlists and Production

The dual-setlist approach ensures variety across the O2 nights. Night one might lean on hits like Eminem’s “Without Me,” Snoop and Dre’s “The Next Episode,” and 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop,” evoking their 2000 Up in Smoke Tour energy. Night two could dive into rarities like Eminem’s “Stan,” a live “Forgot About Dre” with a surprise guest, or even a G-Unit medley with 50 Cent. Fans expect state-of-the-art production, with LED visuals, holographic effects (recalling Dre and Snoop’s 2012 Coachella Tupac hologram), and immersive staging to match the “UK Takeover” hype. Posts on X describe the setup as “a sci-fi hip-hop opera,” with one user joking, “O2’s gonna need reinforced walls for this!”

Is It Real? The Skepticism Persists

Despite the excitement, the tour remains unconfirmed, with no official statements from Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, or 50 Cent. A viral “One Last Ride” poster featuring Rihanna, posted by the Marshall Matters fan page on August 14, 2025, was debunked as AI-generated, casting doubt on earlier leaks. Eminem’s history of declining tours—famously rejecting a $100 million joint tour with Dre, Snoop, and 50 Cent to prioritize time with his daughter Hailie—adds uncertainty, though Hailie’s adulthood may shift his stance. Dr. Dre’s 2021 health scare and Rihanna’s sparse touring since 2016 further fuel skepticism, but their 2022 Super Bowl performance and 2024 “Gunz N Smoke” collaboration suggest the chemistry is alive.

The Cultural Stakes

If the “UK Takeover” at the O2 materializes, it could redefine hip-hop tours. The surprise guests, dual setlists, and unreleased track would create a multi-night event blending nostalgia with innovation. The O2’s scalable capacity makes it ideal for an intimate yet explosive show, potentially outshining Eminem’s 2018 Wembley triumph. Financially, the tour could rival 50 Cent’s $103.6 million Final Lap Tour or Snoop’s $73.7 million 2022 tour, with ticket prices rumored at $200-$2,000 for premium seats. Culturally, it would celebrate hip-hop’s evolution, uniting fans across generations in a city known for its rap fandom.

What’s Next?

Fans are advised to monitor official channels like Ticketmaster or the artists’ socials to avoid scams, as no ticket sale dates are confirmed. The mystery of the surprise guests—potentially Ice Cube, Kendrick Lamar, or even Rihanna—adds to the allure, with the O2 poised to host a hip-hop spectacle for the ages. Whether it’s a farewell for Eminem or a victory lap for rap’s pioneers, the “UK Takeover” could be the ultimate mic drop. As one X post put it, “Em, Dre, Snoop, 50, and two secret guests at O2? I’m camping out now!”