Eminem has had an incredible career in rap, but these impressive career achievements show just how much the GOAT Slim Shady really is.
As Em continues to release his upcoming album The Death of Slim Shady (Coupe de Grâce)it's worth noting that Marshall Mathers has continued to break records despite not releasing an album since 2020 Music to be murdered by. In 2021, Eminem broke his own record for having the most streamed discography on Spotify, with 11 of his solo records surpassing one billion streams. Not to mention this Curtain Call, a greatest hits collection, has been listened to a billion times. It was even considered one of the best-selling albums of 2021, 16 years after its release.
Then, in 2023, Eminem became the 10th best-selling artist of all time, according to ChartMasters, blow surpassing rock legends Led Zeppelin with 207.2 million total combined career sales. That makes Em the only rapper in the top 40, with Drake closing in at No. 41 with over 120 million sales. Ye and Tupac elsewhere drop to No. 61 and No. 73, respectively.
It's worth noting that these are just streaming and sales records, but Em has broken many world records during his reign as one of rap's most famous artists. As fans eagerly await new music, XXL has compiled a list of the eight craziest records Em has broken.
Eminem's “Rap God” sets record for most words in a single
Back in 2013, the Guinness Book of World Records decided that Eminem's “Rap God” had the most words ever crammed into a hit single. The spit-fire track, which appeared on Em's album The Marshall Mathers LP 2, clocking in at 1,560 words in just six minutes and four seconds, averaging about 4.28 words per second. In one remarkable 15-second stretch, Em spewed out 97 words, an insane 6.46 words per second.
Law for the highest-selling albums of the first half of the 21st century
In the first 10 years of the 21st century, Eminem came out on top as the highest selling album of the first half of the 21st century. Em sold an insane 32.2 million combined units, surpassing the Beatles' 30.1 million. Behind Eminem were other equally notable musicians such as Linkin Park, pop star Britney Spears and legendary country acts such as Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw and the late Toby Keith. To make things more impressive, The Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show were the two highest-selling rap albums of the 2000s, selling 10.2 million and 9.7 million, respectively.
Best selling rapper of all time The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem also emerged as the best-selling rapper of all time in the 2000s thanks to the blockbuster success The Marshall Mathers LP. Slim Shady's second album sold a record 1.7 million copies in its first week, making him the best-selling rapper to date. It also makes him one of the only recording artists to surpass one million copies sold in a single week.
Most consecutive US albums to debut at No. 1 by a solo artist
In an insane show of strength as a recording artist, Marshall Mathers also has the most consecutive albums to debut at No. 1 back to back. After his release from prison Revival album in 2018, Em has successfully had eight consecutive solo releases bow at No.1. Previously, The Marshall Mathers LP 2, Recovery, Relapse, Curtain Call: The Hits, I call again, The Eminem Show and The Marshall Mathers LP all debuted at No. 1 as well.
To date, the only two Eminem albums that have not debuted at No. 1 are 1999's The Slim Shady LPwhich reached No. 2, and his debut album in 1996 Inexperiencedwhich didn't chart at all.
In an insane show of strength as a recording artist, Marshall Mathers also has the most consecutive albums to debut at No. 1 back to back. After his release from prison Music To Be Murdered By album in 2020, Em has successfully had 10 consecutive solo releases bow at No. 1. Previously, Kamikaze, Revival, The Marshall Mathers LP 2, Recovery, Relapse, Curtain Call: The Hits, I call again, The Eminem Show and The Marshall Mathers LP all debuted at No. 1 as well.
Of Eminem's studio albums, only three have not debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. These include his 2002 greatest hits project Curtain Call 2which reached No. 6, his 1999 major label debut The Slim Shady LPwhich hit No. 2, and Inexperiencedthe 1996 debut independent album, which did not chart.
Most entries charted on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart for a rapper
When Eminem teamed up with Akon for his latest smash hit “Smack That,” the single went triple platinum and was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2007 Grammy Awards. It also broke the record for the most plays ever on Billboard Hot 100 for rappers. “Smack That” debuted at No. 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 14, 2006. One week later, it climbed 88 spots to No. 7 on the chart.
Eminem Becomes Most Certified Singles Artist in RIAA Gold & Platinum History
On March 8, 2022, Slim Shady became the most certified single artist in RIAA history. Eminem's combined six RIAA diamond certifications — which include The Marshall Mathers LP, The Eminem Show and Curtain speaker as well as the songs “Lose Yourself,” “Love the Way You Lie” and “Not Afraid”—established him as one of the most accomplished musicians in history. His career RIAA total now stands at 227.5 million, consisting of 166 million single certifications and 61.5 million album certifications.
The largest vocabulary for a recording artist
Based on a 2015 study by Musixmatch, The Guinness Book of Records felt that Eminem had the largest vocabulary of any recording artist. Over the course of his career, Eminem has used 8,818 unique words. Jay-Z was close behind with 6,899, followed by 2Pac with 6,569 words. Ye sat comfortably in fifth place with 5,069.
The fastest rapper of all time
While this is no surprise to anyone, Eminem was also considered the fastest rapper of all time after releasing “Godzilla” in 2020 and “Rap God” in 2013. Slim Shady can spout 7.5 words per second, with The Guinness Book of Records scoring his 2020 single “Godzilla” squeezes 225 words into a 30-second segment.
