After Declaring Himself Rap God, Eminem Preps For Some Action W/ Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole & More

Grammy-winning rapper Eminem is going to ring in the new year with some pretty big expectations as reports claim there are plans to tour overseas with a slew of notable hip-hop stars.

According to reports, Slim Shady has recruited Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Action Bronson and more for a handful of Australian performance dates.

Eminem is reportedly set to announce plans for live shows Australia with Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole, Chance The Rapper and Action Bronson, on what is sure to be one of the most controversial, offensive and ego-packed tours of 2014. Bring it on. As yet, only one live show has been announced for the tour – taking place on 20 February 2014 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium (as reported by Hip-Hop Australia), but sources down under fully expect more shows to be announced in the coming weeks. (Gigwise)

One of Em’s featured performers has already reacted to the big opportunity to share the stage with “Rap God” himself.

Australian hip hop star 360 will support, while New Zealand rapper David Dallas is confirmed to play the Auckland date. “I’m pretty stoked,” Dallas tells Billboard. “Eminem has generations of fans in New Zealand. He’s never been here, so it’s going to be huge. Dallas, who admits to being a “huge fan” of Eminem, supported Lamar on his December 2012 show at Auckland’s Powerstation. “It was completely rammed, the energy and the way people reacted to the record was amazing,” he recalls. “They knew the songs inside out.” The announcement of the “Rapture” tour comes at a particularly tough time for hip hop festivals in Australia, with Live Nation’s inaugural Movement fest, and the likes of Supafest, Sprung and Rap City either downsizing or cancelling. Just last week, Dainty’s planned Pitbull & Ke$ha tour was scrapped. (Billboard)

Tickets for select dates will reportedly be available as early as this week.

The general ticket onsale starts Oct. 31, with tickets for all dates priced from about U.S. $95 to $290. The pre-sale kicks off Oct. 24. Eminem’s “The Marshall Mathers LP2” is out Nov. 5 in Australia. “Rapture” 2014 Australasian Tour Dates: Feb. 15 – Auckland, Western Springs Feb. 19 – Melbourne, Etihad Stadium Feb. 20 – Brisbane, Suncorp Stadium Feb. 22 – Sydney, ANZ Stadium (Billboard)

Last week, Slim Shady celebrated his 41st birthday.

He stopped by the ESPN broadcast booth a few weeks ago and gave one of television’s more awkward interviews in awhile. He recently released “Rap God,” a single that is generating controversy for what some deem to be offensive, homophobic lyrics. He’ll perform as the musical guest on the November 2nd edition of Saturday Night Live and he’ll drop a new album (“The Marshall Mathers LP 2”) on November 5th. Like we said: Eminem is back. And he’s also turning 41 years old today! So send in your very best wishes to the artist and feel free to do the same for these other famous people that are also a year older on October 17: Jacob Artist (21) Wyclef Jean (44) Ziggy Marley (45) Alan Jackson (55) (The Hollywood Gossip)

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