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Guide · Detroit · a route through the albums

EMINEM

Eminem takes the English language and snaps it over his knee — internal rhymes, multisyllabic patterns, speed pushed to the edge of intelligibility. This route runs through the albums one track at a time: from the basements of Detroit and the birth of Slim Shady to his symbolic death.

13 albums5 erasfinale — 8 Mile
The whole career · year by year
  1. 2024TDOSS
    The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) 23 tracks · 112 references
    • the "murder" of the Slim Shady alter ego
    • #1 in the US
    HoudiniTobeySomebody Save Me
  2. 2024⚔
    beef · Benzino reignited
  3. 2020MTBMB
    Music To Be Murdered By 19 tracks · 376 references
    • surprise release
    • a Hitchcock-inspired concept
    • #1 in the US
    GodzillaDarknessGnat
  4. 2018KMKZ
    Kamikaze 17 tracks · 451 references
    • surprise release
    • an answer to the critics
    • #1 in the US
    The RingerLucky YouKillshot
  5. 2018⚔
    beef · Machine Gun Kelly Killshot
  6. 2017RVL
    Revival 24 tracks · 302 references
    • #1 in the US
    • mixed reviews
    RiverWalk on WaterBelieve
  7. 2013MMLP2
    The Marshall Mathers LP 2 24 tracks · 766 references
    • Grammy — Best Rap Album
    • "Rap God" — a record word count for a hit single
    Rap GodBerzerkThe Monster
  8. 2010RCV
    Recovery 22 tracks · 499 references
    • #1 in 19 countries
    • Grammy — Best Rap Album
    Not AfraidLove the Way You LieSpace Bound
  9. 2009RLP
    Relapse 24 tracks · 450 references
    • a comeback after the hiatus and addiction
    • Grammy — Best Rap Album
    We Made YouBeautiful3 a.m.
  10. 2009⚔
    beef · Nick Cannon
  11. 2004ENC
    Encore 21 tracks · 376 references
    • 11× platinum worldwide
    MockingbirdJust Lose ItLike Toy Soldiers
  12. 2003⚔
    beef · Ja Rule / Murder Inc.
  13. 2002TES
    The Eminem Show 22 tracks · 536 references
    • the best-selling US album of 2002
    • Grammy — Best Rap Album
    Without MeCleanin' Out My ClosetSing for the Moment
  14. 2002⚔
    beef · Benzino / The Source
  15. 2000MMLP
    The Marshall Mathers LP 18 tracks · 416 references
    • the fastest-selling rap album in the US
    • certified Diamond
    StanThe Real Slim ShadyThe Way I Am
  16. 2000⚔
    beef · Everlast
  17. 1999SSLP
    The Slim Shady LP 19 tracks · 645 references
    • 2× platinum
    • Grammy — Best Rap Album
    My Name IsGuilty Conscience'97 Bonnie & Clyde
  18. 1999⚔
    beef · Insane Clown Posse a long-running Detroit feud
  19. 1997SSEP
    The Slim Shady EP 10 tracks · 263 references
    • caught Dr. Dre's attention
    Just the Two of Us
  20. 1996INF
    Infinite 11 tracks · 334 references
    • ~1,000 copies pressed
    • a commercial flop
    InfiniteIt's OK
  21. 1995
    milestone · Birth of daughter Hailie Jade December 25
  22. 1991
    milestone · Dropped out of school after three tries at ninth grade
  23. 1989
    milestone · Soul Intent his first group; debut vinyl in 1995
  24. 1988
    milestone · Bassmint Productions an early Detroit rap crew
    • Detroit rap battles
  25. 1986
    milestone · First rhymes as M&M started rapping around age 14
  26. 1972
    milestone · Birth of Marshall Bruce Mathers III October 17 · St. Joseph, Missouri
    • frequent moves between Missouri and Detroit
1972 · the start
What to watch
2002 · dir. Curtis Hanson

8 Mile

A semi-autobiographical drama: Jimmy "Rabbit" Smith claws his way through the rap battles of Detroit, a city split by the 8 Mile freeway. Everything you traveled through on this route — the anger, the poverty, the stutter and the sudden explosion of talent — comes alive on screen here.

And "Lose Yourself" from the soundtrack became the first hip-hop track to win an Oscar for Best Original Song (2003).

▶ watch trailer
The full discography

The vault

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