What Happened?
On April 14, 2014, Beats Music hosted a “Live 90’s Hip Hop Show” at The Mayan in LA to launch its streaming service, with Dr. Dre as the headliner. Eminem joined him for a killer medley, kicking off with 2Pac’s California Love (Dre’s 1995 classic), sliding into Em’s breakout My Name Is (1999), and closing with their joint banger Forgot About Dre (1999). The set was a nod to their history—Dre as the G-funk pioneer, Em as his game-changing protégé. The crowd roared as they traded bars, with Dre’s booming beats and Em’s razor-sharp flow stealing the night.
Why It’s Legendary
This medley is a perfect storm. California Love sets the vibe with its sunny, funky bounce—Dre channels 2Pac’s spirit, hyping the “wild, wild West.” Then My Name Is flips it, with Eminem spitting his quirky, in-your-face intro to the world, full of Slim Shady attitude. Forgot About Dre seals it, a defiant clapback at doubters, with Dre flexing his legacy (“Who you think brought you the oldies?”) and Em’s frantic verse stealing the show. Live, it’s electric—their chemistry, the live band’s punch, and the crowd’s energy make it feel like 1999 all over again. The HD footage catches every smirk and fist-pump.
A 2014 Throwback Moment
Beats Music was Dre’s big tech play before Apple bought it for $3 billion later that year, so this show was a flex—his music, his platform, his rules. Eminem, fresh off The Marshall Mathers LP 2, was in top form, proving he could still rip a stage. The Mayan’s intimate vibe added grit, like a club show for rap royalty. It wasn’t just a concert; it was a victory lap for two guys who’d reshaped hip-hop, from N.W.A to Aftermath to global domination. Posts on X from the time—like Em’s own shoutout—showed fans buzzing over it.
Where to Watch
Why It Still Bangs
This performance is Dre and Em at their rawest—mentors and rebels, rewriting history one bar at a time. California Love reps the roots, My Name Is marks Em’s rise, and Forgot About Dre shuts down the haters. It’s a 10-minute crash course in why they’re untouchable. Whether you’re a ’90s kid or a new fan, the Beats Music medley delivers nostalgia, bars, and pure hype. Hit play and let these GOATs remind you who runs this game.
