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Incredible footage of sign language performer Holly Maniatty’s rendition of Eminem’s Rap God has resurfaced
A woman’s sign language performance of Rap God stole the show at Eminem’s concert and you’ve got to see it.
We all have a rap song we know off by heart and are just itching for the opportunity to reel off.
Now, imagine that the hardest rap you know is being signed along perfectly to, while the artist who wrote it performs it live.
Well, that’s exactly what happened when Eminem was headlining the Firefly Music Festival back in 2018, with American Sign Language interpreter Holly Maniatty giving the performance of a lifetime.
Rap God is a notoriously hard song to learn, with 1,560 words in a little over six minutes, and many have tried and failed to perform the song.
However, in a newly-resurfaced video, Maniatty does just that using sign language.
One user said of the show: “Holly Maniatty, sign language extraordinaire, who absolutely nails the performance to the extent that is unclear whether the crowd are actually going bonkers for her or for Eminem.”
Others were quick to comment on the incredible signer, saying: “Holly Maniatty, stealing the show. ‘Rap God’ Eminem. This girl is on fire.”
Another added: “Have you seen this woman rap sign? I just watched Rap God with Eminem and Holly Maniatty 76 times. Amazing.”
A third said: “(Holly Maniatty) shout out for any and every mention of or allusion to Rap God, bc, God damn, she’s amazing!! (What’s ASL for bootstrap?)”
While the resurfaced video might be the first time you’ve heard or seen Maniatty, she’s a seasoned performer.
Having collaborated with Jay-Z, Wu-Tang Clan, Beastie Boys and Snoop Dogg, she’s helped create some unforgettable, accessible shows.
Honestly, it’s just as impressive as the Eminem video, with Maniatty signing perfectly in time with the music.
Judging by the way the crowd and Maniatty are loving every performance, we’d petition to have her present at every festival.
In an interview in 2013, Maniatty spoke on how it feels to perform: “It’s a little overwhelming because I don’t think of myself as in front of people. I guess I am in front of a lot of people but I’m always so absorbed in doing a good job – it’s just about the deaf patrons who are there.”