Eminem is the best-selling rapper of all time, with more than 220 million albums sold throughout his Hall of Fame career. In what’s typically billed as a young person’s genre, Em defeated Father Time and has remained a commercial powerhouse for more than 25 years.
In July, the Detroit legend returned with his first project since 2020’s Music to Be Murdered By, as The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace) grappled with Em killing off his signature alter ego throughout the conceptual LP.
It was business as usual with Eminem’s 12th studio album debuting atop the Billboard 200 with 281,000 total album-equivalent units sold in the first week, which ended Taylor Swift’s three-month reign at No. 1 behind The Tortured Poets Department.
The victory gave Em his 10th chart-topping album. He also did some damage, invading the Billboard Hot 100 — occupying real estate to the tune of 16 slots on this week’s chart.
Looking back, Eminem’s debut Infinite album quietly arrived in 1996, and the project failed to chart. After linking with Dr. Dre and signing to Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records, Em’s major-label debut The Slim Shady LP served as Em’s proper mainstream introduction. The sophomore effort landed at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and was blocked from the top spot by TLC’s FanMail.
However, that would be the last time Eminem was denied the top spot on the Billboard 200, as every subsequent solo album launched at No. 1 since.
Billboard‘s deputy editorial director Damien Scott ranked every Eminem solo album this week, ranging from Revival at No. 12 to The Marshall Mathers LP topping the list.
Now it’s time to hear from you. From The Eminem Show to Recovery, we want to know your pick for the best Eminem album. Cast your vote below!
