While the world waits for Eminem to drop his highly anticipated new LP sometime this year, it doens't hurt to take a trip down memory lane.
A list composed by Green Label of 10 pieces of memorabilia celebrating great Hip-Hop artists and iconic moments in the history of the genre fantasizes how awesome it would be to own a piece of one of Slim Shady's most epic performances.
No. 10 on Green Label's list of great auction items in rap's evolution is the piano used in Eminem's 2001 Grammy performance with Elton John. At the time, the "Lose Yourself" rapper was under heavy scrutiny for his reckless lyrics, which were deemed homophobic by several LGBT organizations, so it was shocking when the openly gay Sir Elton John joined him on stage for "music's biggest night" for a rendition of the emcee's smach hit "Stan."
During the performance, Elton John was revealed from behind a drawn curtain a few minutes into the song wearing a flashy pink and yellow polka dot suit while Slim Shady was dressed with a chain and sagging sweats. According to Green Label, "It is the piano that was at the center of a major shift in hip-hop's conscience that we'd be willing to shell out huge amounts of money for. We might play it from time to time, but it'd mostly be a reminder of where the culture has come from, and the potential for positive change that it will always have."
Another item that was included on the list is Slick Rick's signature eye patch. The English rapper, who rose to stardom during the Golden age of Hip-Hop, became renowned for the patch he used to cover his right eye.
The photo featured on Kendrick Lamar's cover art of his album "good kid, m.A.A.d. city" also made the list. The picture of the Compton rapper features him as a toddler with members of his family. The new school artist's photo joins a list of other legendary covers that featured children, including Nas' "Illmatic" and The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Ready To Die," Hip Hop DX points out.
Other items on the list include microphones used by Rakin, awards won by Public Enemy and the pants MC Hammer wore during his 1989 Arsenio Hall performance.
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