Eminem and Kehlani set the stage ablaze with their debut live performance of Nowhere Fast at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards, held on March 11, 2018, at The Forum in Los Angeles. Captured in stunning UltraHD, this electrifying moment from Eminem’s Revival album combines his razor-sharp lyricism with Kehlani’s soulful vocals, delivering a performance that’s both intense and socially charged. With a fiery stage setup and a message that hit hard, it’s a must-see for hip-hop fans. Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to vibe with and dive into why this moment still resonates in 2025!
What’s Nowhere Fast About?
From Eminem’s 2017 album Revival, Nowhere Fast featuring Kehlani is a reflection on a chaotic world—terrorism, division, and feeling stuck on a road to nowhere. Em’s verses are packed with vivid imagery, like “ashes blowing in the air” and “skies are black,” while Kehlani’s chorus adds a hopeful yet haunting vibe, singing about fearless hearts of gold. For the iHeart performance, Eminem added a new intro verse tackling gun violence, rapping, “Gun owners clutching their loaded weapons / They love their guns more than our children,” tying it to the Parkland shooting aftermath. It’s classic Em—blunt, topical, and unapologetic.
Why This Performance Was Epic
The iHeartRadio Music Awards stage was a beast, with flames, smoke, and a live band pumping up the energy. Eminem stormed out in a black hoodie, spitting with his signature intensity, while Kehlani strutted down a catwalk with LED graphics trailing her, her voice soaring on the hook. Introduced by Big Sean and Alex Moscou, a Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivor who plugged the March for Our Lives, the performance carried extra weight. The UltraHD footage—sharp enough to catch Em’s steely glare and Kehlani’s poised delivery—makes it feel like you’re in the crowd. Billboard called it “impassioned,” and fans on X went wild, with posts praising the gun control message and their chemistry.
The 2018 Context
This was a big moment for both artists. Eminem, at 45, was pushing Revival despite mixed reviews, proving he could still command a stage and spark debate. Kehlani, then 22, was riding high off her Grammy-nominated SweetSexySavage, stepping into the spotlight alongside a rap legend. The iHeart Awards were stacked—Cardi B, Maroon 5, and Camila Cabello performed too—but Em and Kehlani’s set stood out for its edge. Coming weeks after the February 2018 Parkland tragedy, the gun violence intro hit a nerve, with Em calling out the NRA and “puppets” in politics. Daily Mail noted the “muscular verses” and fiery visuals, while E! Online caught Halsey and G-Eazy vibing in the crowd.
Where to Watch It
Why It Still Hits in 2025
This Nowhere Fast performance is Eminem at his rawest—tackling real issues with no filter, backed by Kehlani’s soulful punch. The UltraHD quality lets you feel the heat of the stage, from the flames to Em’s mic grip. It’s a snapshot of 2018’s tensions—school shootings, political noise—yet feels timeless with its call for change. Reddit threads from the time loved the new verse, with fans saying it outshone the studio cut. Whether you’re a Stan, a Kehlani fan, or just vibe with music that says something, this one’s a keeper. Hit play and let it shake you up.
