Eminem's Sign Language Interpreter Absolutely Smashes The Supersonic Speed Part Of 'Rap God'
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For many of us, learning sign language is no different to learning any other language. It can be tricky to begin with, though - and that's just figuring out how to introduce yourself to someone.
But what a phenomenal tool it is for communication. Which is probably why the sign language interpreter at an Eminem gig has gone viral.
And it's not the fact she's signing the lyrics - it's the god damn speed with which she shows off her craft.
The interpreter who stole the show at the Firefly Music Festival is called Holly Maniatty - she did her thing while Eminem spat hot fire, in the form of the lyrics to 'Rap God'.
Ok, the song title kind of gives it away, but there is a lot of rapping. And it's fast. In fact, there's a grand total of 1,540 words and 7,697 characters.
It makes us feel tired just reading the lyrics. And it makes us feel absolutely shattered just thinking about signing it, but Holly did. And she smashed it, impressing people around the globe.
The video of her interpreting the song was posted to Facebook and went viral with over 19 million views.
According to an interview with CBC, Holly began interpreting shows like Eminem's after doing a Marilyn Manson concert, and there is a lot of research and preparation that goes into her performance.
She explained: "When I was getting ready for [a] Wu-Tang [Clan] show, they talk about riots in the street.
"And at that time, the Ferguson riots were just kind of finishing up so of course your mind would jump there because that's a current event, but you kind of have to take a moment.
"Go see when that song was written and see that they're probably talking about the LA riots. And then think about something that's more iconic about the LA riots in terms of visual accessibility and kind of build your interpretation that way to make it as as authentic and close to the meaning of the person who wrote it.
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"You just want to make sure that you're providing the most authentic interpretation you can."
What an incredible thing Holly is doing. She is part of a huge change in live music being made more accessible for as many people as possible.
According to Mashable, some artists are making the presence of interpreters like Holly mandatory at their shows.
Last year Chance the Rapper announced that he would incorporate interpreters into his tour and even reserved 50 front row seats for deaf and hard-of-hearing fans in his audience.
We bloody love a story like this one. Keep going, Holly, you're appreciated more than you know.
