Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and 50 Cent are reportedly kicking off their 2026 world tour in Los Angeles, with industry whispers that the opening night will feature a guest who defined the 2000s hip-hop era. Fans in California are already lining up mentally for history. 🔥
The 2026 World Tour Kickoff in Los Angeles: Who’s the Mystery Guest Defining the 2000s Hip-Hop Era?
The rumored “One Last Ride” world tour featuring Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, and Rihanna continues to ignite the hip-hop world, despite its unconfirmed status and the debunked AI-generated poster that initially sparked the frenzy. The latest buzz, amplified by industry whispers and posts on X, points to Los Angeles as the kickoff city for the 2026 tour, with the opening night set to feature a guest star who “defined the 2000s hip-hop era.” This exclusive performance, potentially tied to a rare rendition of “Forgot About Dre” with a surprise twist, has California fans mentally lining up for what could be a historic moment. This article explores the significance of the LA kickoff, the mysterious guest star, the “secret pact” driving the reunion, and the tour’s cultural impact, including its rumored secret stadium show and Dubai connection.
Los Angeles: The Perfect Kickoff City
The rumor that the “One Last Ride” tour will launch in Los Angeles aligns perfectly with the artists’ histories and the city’s status as the epicenter of West Coast hip-hop. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, pioneers of the G-funk sound, rose to fame in LA through N.W.A. and albums like Doggystyle and The Chronic. Eminem and 50 Cent, signed to Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment in the late 1990s and early 2000s, respectively, cemented their legacies with LA-recorded hits like “Lose Yourself” and “In Da Club.” The city hosted the group’s iconic 2000 Up in Smoke Tour and their Emmy-winning 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium, making it a symbolic choice for the tour’s opening night.
Insiders suggest the kickoff could take place at a major venue like SoFi Stadium (capacity 70,000, scalable for intimacy) or the Hollywood Bowl (capacity 17,500), with a setlist featuring classics like “Still D.R.E.,” “Without Me,” “Candy Shop,” and the rumored “Forgot About Dre” with a twist. The choice of LA resonates with the tour’s rumored “secret pact,” possibly made during the Aftermath days, as it’s where the group’s creative and personal bonds were forged. Fans on X are ecstatic, with one post declaring, “LA for the kickoff? California’s about to witness hip-hop history.”
The Mystery Guest: Who Defined the 2000s Hip-Hop Era?
The industry whisper that the opening night will feature a guest who “defined the 2000s hip-hop era” has sparked fierce speculation. Previous rumors suggested Beyoncé and Rihanna as potential guest stars, with Rihanna as the frontrunner due to her history with Eminem. However, the “2000s hip-hop” descriptor narrows the field to artists who shaped the genre during that decade. Here are the top contenders:
Rihanna: The R&B-Hip-Hop Crossover Star
Rihanna, already linked to the tour via the original poster, is a strong candidate. Her 2010 collaboration with Eminem, “Love the Way You Lie,” dominated the Billboard Hot 100, blending hip-hop and R&B to define the era’s crossover sound. Their 2013 hit “The Monster” and the 2014 Monster Tour, which grossed $36 million, solidify her connection. A guest appearance could feature a medley with “Forgot About Dre,” incorporating her vocals for the rumored twist, perhaps blending in “Umbrella” or “The Monster.” Rihanna’s 2000s hits like “Pon de Replay” and “Don’t Stop the Music” made her a global icon, and her 2023 Super Bowl performance proves her stage prowess. Her selective touring since 2016 makes a high-profile LA cameo appealing, especially in a city where she recorded much of her early work.
Beyoncé: The Global Superstar
Beyoncé, another rumored guest, is less likely but still plausible. While primarily an R&B and pop titan, her 2000s work with Jay-Z, who collaborated with Eminem on “Renegade” and co-headlined the 2010 Home and Home Tour with Dr. Dre and 50 Cent, ties her to hip-hop. Her 2009 remix of “Crack a Bottle” with Eminem and Dr. Dre hit number one, and her Dangerously in Love and B’Day albums featured hip-hop influences. A guest spot could see her adding vocals to “Forgot About Dre” or debuting a new collaboration, capitalizing on her $579 million Renaissance World Tour success. However, her weaker Aftermath ties and potential 2026 commitments, like a rumored Copacabana Beach show, make her less probable than Rihanna. Past friction with 50 Cent, who mocked her 2025 tour ticket sales, further complicates her involvement.
Other Contenders: Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, or Kanye West
The “2000s hip-hop” label opens the door to other possibilities. Kendrick Lamar, a Compton native mentored by Dr. Dre, emerged in the late 2000s with mixtapes and joined the group for the 2022 Super Bowl. His inclusion would tie into LA’s hip-hop legacy and could involve a “Forgot About Dre” remix, given his feature on Dre and Snoop’s 2024 album Missionary. Jay-Z, who defined the 2000s with albums like The Blueprint and collaborated with Eminem, is another option, though his touring hiatus since 2019 makes it less likely. Kanye West, a 2000s icon with The College Dropout and Late Registration, worked with Snoop and Dre early in his career, but his controversial status in 2025 reduces his chances. Kendrick feels most plausible after Rihanna, given his Dre connection and LA roots.
The Secret Pact: A Personal and Emotional Core
The tour’s narrative hinges on a “secret pact” reportedly made by Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and 50 Cent. The leading theory ties it to Dr. Dre’s 2021 brain aneurysm, which prompted Eminem and Snoop to reconcile, as Eminem shared on SiriusXM’s Paul Pod: Curtain Call 2. The health scare likely inspired a vow to reunite for a final performance, emphasizing life’s fragility. Another theory points to the late 1990s at Aftermath Entertainment, where Dre mentored Eminem and 50 Cent, and Snoop was a key collaborator, with a promise to “go out with a bang.” Rihanna’s involvement likely stems from her Monster Tour bond with Eminem, while a guest like Kendrick Lamar would align with Dre’s mentorship legacy.
The LA kickoff fits this pact perfectly, as the city is where Aftermath was born and where the group’s creative synergy flourished. A guest star like Rihanna or Kendrick would amplify the emotional weight, especially if the “Forgot About Dre” twist involves a tribute to fallen collaborators like Nate Dogg, possibly via hologram, echoing the 2012 Coachella Tupac performance.
The Dubai Connection and Secret Stadium Show
The LA kickoff rumor doesn’t negate the speculated Dubai show, which reportedly involves a record-breaking deal for an open-air concert, potentially at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre or near the Burj Khalifa. The secret stadium show with 5,000 golden tickets, its location revealed 24 hours before, could be a separate event or the LA opener itself, scaled down at a venue like the Hollywood Bowl. LA’s infrastructure supports a secretive, high-tech spectacle, and its global media presence makes it ideal for a star-studded launch. The golden ticket concept, with tickets priced at $2,000-$4,000, aligns with the tour’s exclusivity and rumored philanthropy for music education programs.
Challenges and Skepticism
The tour and its LA kickoff remain unconfirmed, with the original AI-generated poster debunked by sources like PRIMETIMER. No official statements from Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, or Rihanna have surfaced, and recent X posts focus on unrelated projects, like Eminem’s Stan 25th anniversary merchandise and Snoop’s “Must Be Summer” single. Dr. Dre’s post-2021 aneurysm health concerns and Eminem’s past reluctance to tour (he declined a $100 million joint tour in the early 2000s for his daughter Hailie) raise logistical doubts. Rihanna’s selective performances and potential 2026 commitments, alongside Beyoncé’s busy schedule, complicate the guest star rumor. The 30+ city tour and secret show’s feasibility is also questionable, given the artists’ ages (Dre is 60, Snoop 54, Eminem 53, 50 Cent 50).
Cultural Impact and Fan Frenzy
If the LA kickoff happens, it could redefine hip-hop live performances. A setlist featuring “Lose Yourself,” “Still D.R.E.,” “In Da Club,” and “Forgot About Dre” with a Rihanna or Kendrick Lamar cameo would bridge generations, appealing to fans of N.W.A., The Marshall Mathers LP, and Get Rich or Die Tryin’. The tour’s rumored $150 million-plus gross, building on 50 Cent’s $103.6 million Final Lap Tour and Rihanna’s $110 million Anti World Tour, underscores its potential. The secret pact, possibly rooted in Dre’s health scare or Aftermath’s legacy, adds emotional depth, framing the show as a farewell. California fans are “mentally lining up,” with one X post saying, “LA for Em, Dre, Snoop, and 50? I’m camping out at SoFi now.”
The Verdict: Rihanna or Kendrick in LA?
As of August 31, 2025, the “One Last Ride” tour and LA kickoff remain unconfirmed, but Los Angeles is a highly plausible choice due to its ties to Aftermath, the group’s history, and its capacity for a blockbuster launch. Rihanna is the most likely guest star, given her Eminem collaborations and inclusion in the original rumor, with a “Forgot About Dre” medley featuring “Love the Way You Lie” as the probable twist. Kendrick Lamar is a close second, especially for an LA show, given his Dre mentorship and 2022 Super Bowl appearance. Beyoncé, while a massive draw, is less likely due to weaker ties and scheduling conflicts.
Fans should stay cautious until official announcements drop on platforms like Ticketmaster or the artists’ socials. The LA kickoff, with a 2000s hip-hop icon, could be the ultimate tribute to the secret pact, cementing the tour as a historic moment. As one X user put it, “Rihanna or Kendrick with Em and Dre in LA? That’s not a show—it’s a shrine.” Brace for history, California.
