Eminem is known as one of the coldest rappers to ever pick up a microphone. Whether you talk about lyrics or flow, Eminem is one of the best. In February of 1999, he released his major debut called The Slim Shady LP. This was after he released an independent album called Infinite. Infinite was released back in 1996, but it didn’t garner any attention. By the time Eminem released the Slim Shady LP he talked about writing with so much anger. The result saw The Slim Shady LP sell almost seven million copies. The controversial album earned Eminem countless awards and nominations in the process. A little over a year later, Eminem released his second album, The Marshall Mathers LP. The Marshall Mathers LP was released in May of 2000, and it would go on to tell over 12 million copies in the United States.
The Marshall Mathers LP would go on to become one of the more influential albums ever in hip hop. The album not only went diamond, but it has made a lot of lists for greatest albums of all time. Two years later, Eminem would return with his third major label album called The Eminem Show. The Eminem Show debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and stood there for six non-consecutive weeks. It sold over 1.3 million copies in its second week in the US, where it registered a full week of sales. The Eminem Show was both the best-selling album of 2002 in the United States and the best-selling album worldwide of 2002. With this album, Eminem sold another 12 million records in the United States alone. Eminem was by far the biggest rapper during this era, and it wasn’t even close.
In 2003, Eminem focused on his new signee 50 Cent and released his iconic Get Rich or Die Tryin’ album. Get Rich or Die Tryin’ moved another nine million records in the United States. In November of 2003, 50 Cent would release the G-Unit group album. The following November, Eminem would release his fourth major label album called Encore. As reflected in its title and cover art, the album was originally set to be Eminem’s final studio album. The Encore album sold over a million and a half copies in 10 days. It didn’t reach the status as his previous albums, but it was another good project. The Encore album turns 20 years old. Just Lose It was the first single from the album. This wasn’t my favorite track from the album as it felt like some of his previous singles.
Just Lose It was controversial, but it still managed to sell over two million copies. The title track, Encore was the second single and it featured Dr. Dre and 50 Cent. This is one of my favorite songs from the album. What did you expect from a track from Eminem, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent? The song was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the Grammy Awards of 2006. Like Toy Soldiers would be his third single to drop from the album. Cameo appearances in the video include 50 Cent, Luis Resto, Dr. Dre, Obie Trice, and D12. Deceased rappers including Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Big L, and Bugz are also shown via animation at the end of the music video to show the fatal consequences of rap wars.
This was another great track from the album by Eminem. Mockingbird would be the next single and this is one of my favorite tracks ever by Eminem. Mockingbird” is a song by Eminem dedicated to his daughters, Hailie Jade and Alaina Marie (also known as Lainie), who were 9 and 10 years old at the time. As of 2024, the video has over 1 billion views on YouTube, making it Eminem’s 5th most viewed video on the platform. Mockingbird was nominated for a Grammy but won a Teen Choice Award for best rap track. Ass Like That was the final single and we’re not getting into that one. Encore was a good album, but not as good as his previous three projects. Check out my top 5 tracks from the Encore album below. After that, check out the track listing and stream link for Encore.
Top 5 Tracks: Mockingbird, Yellow Brick Road, Like Toy Soldiers, Never Enough,, and Encore
Encore Track Listing
- Curtains Up
- Evil Deeds
- Never Enough ft. 50 Cent & Nate Dogg
- Yellow Brick Road
- Like Toy Soldiers
- Mosh
- Puke
- My 1st Single
- Paul (Skit)
- Rain Man
- Big Weenie
- Em Calls Paul (Skit)
- Just Lose It
- Ass Like That
- Spend Some Time ft. Obie Trice, Stat Quo & 50 Cent
- Mockingbird
- Crazy in Love
- One Shot 2 Shot ft. D12
- Final Thought (Skit)
- Encore/ Curtains Down ft. Dr. Dre & 50 Cent
Where are my Eminem fans? Do you remember his Encore album? What do you think about it? What’s your favorite track or tracks on the album? Leave some feedback below about the Encore album or anything related to Eminem.
