Eminem's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Eminem.

Eminem, or Marshall Mathers III, is a highly influential American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He's recognized for popularizing hip-hop in Middle America and breaking racial barriers within the genre. Known for transgressive work that stirred controversy in the late 90s and early 2000s, Eminem's music is known for conscious lyrics expressing political criticism, social commentary, and his signature rap flow. He has become a prominent voice representing the angst of lower-income America.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

March 9, 1998: Signed to Aftermath and Interscope

On March 9, 1998, Eminem signed with Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records.

1999: Mainstream popularity with The Slim Shady LP

In 1999, Eminem achieved mainstream popularity with the release of The Slim Shady LP after signing with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment.

May 2000: The Marshall Mathers LP release

In May 2000, The Marshall Mathers LP was released, selling 1.76 million copies in its first week and breaking U.S. records for fastest-selling hip-hop album and solo album.

2000: Billboard Artist of the Decade (2000-2009)

Billboard named Eminem the Artist of the Decade (2000–2009).

2000: The Marshall Mathers LP released

In 2000, The Marshall Mathers LP was released and became a worldwide success, selling over one million copies in a single week.

May 2002: Release of The Eminem Show

In May 2002, Eminem released The Eminem Show, which reached number one on the charts and sold over 1.332 million copies during its first week. The album explores Eminem's rise to fame, his relationship with his wife and daughter, and his status in the hip-hop community. It also addresses an assault charge from 2000.

2002: Academy Award for "Lose Yourself"

For his work in the film 8 Mile, Eminem won the 2002 Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Lose Yourself", becoming the first hip-hop artist to receive the award.

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2002: Starred in 8 Mile and won Academy Award

In 2002, Eminem starred in the drama film 8 Mile, receiving critical acclaim. He also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Lose Yourself" from the 8 Mile soundtrack, making him the first hip-hop act to win the award.

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2002: The Eminem Show released

In 2002, The Eminem Show was released, becoming a worldwide success and the best-selling album worldwide of that year, selling over one million copies in a single week.

2002: Bestselling Album Worldwide

In 2010, with Recovery, Eminem broke the record for the most successive U.S. number-one albums by a solo artist. This joined 2002's bestseller The Eminem Show to give Eminem two worldwide year-end number-one albums.

2003: Academy Award Win for Lose Yourself

In 2003, Eminem won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Lose Yourself" from the 8 Mile soundtrack.

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December 6, 2005: Release of 'Curtain Call: The Hits'

On December 6, 2005, Eminem's greatest hits album, Curtain Call: The Hits, was released by Aftermath Entertainment. It sold nearly 441,000 copies in the U.S. in its first week, marking Eminem's fourth consecutive number-one album on the Billboard Hot 200. Eminem suggested at the time he would be taking a break as an artist, due to uncertainty about his career path.

April 20, 2008: Sobriety Achieved

Eminem has been sober since April 20, 2008, with Elton John as a mentor during his recovery.

2009: Billboard Artist of the Decade (2000-2009)

Billboard named Eminem the Artist of the Decade (2000–2009).

June 2010: The Home & Home Tour Announcement

In June 2010, Eminem and Jay-Z announced The Home & Home Tour, with concerts in Detroit and New York City. Due to the success of Recovery, Eminem was named the 2010 Hottest MC in the Game by MTV and Emcee of the Year by HipHopDX.

November 21, 2010: U.S. Sales of Recovery

By November 21, 2010, Eminem's album Recovery had U.S. sales of three million copies.

December 2010: "Great Eminem Recovery" Named Top Music Moment

In December 2010, the "Great Eminem Recovery" was named number one on Billboard's Top 25 Music Moments of 2010. That month it was announced that "Space Bound" would be the fourth single from Recovery, with a music video released June 24 on the iTunes Store.

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2010: Release of Recovery

In 2010, Eminem released Recovery, which became the best-selling album worldwide of the year.

March 2011: Diamond Certification of Albums

In March 2011, The Eminem Show and The Marshall Mathers LP were certified diamond by the RIAA. This made Eminem the only rapper with two diamond-certified albums. He also had more than 60 million "likes" on Facebook.

March 2011: The Marshall Mathers LP certified Diamond

In March 2011, The Marshall Mathers LP was certified Diamond by the RIAA.

2013: MTV Europe Music Award for Global Icon

In 2013, Eminem received the MTV Europe Music Award for Global Icon.

2013: The Marshall Mathers LP 2 released

In 2013, Eminem released The Marshall Mathers LP 2, which debuted atop the US Billboard 200 chart.

January 17, 2020: Release of Music to Be Murdered By

On January 17, 2020, Eminem released another surprise album, Music to Be Murdered By, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, marking his tenth consecutive album to do so in the United States.

March 11, 2020: Music to Be Murdered By Certified Gold by RIAA

On March 11, 2020, Eminem's album Music to Be Murdered By was certified Gold by the RIAA.

2022: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

At the 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Eminem named over 100 artists from hip-hop's golden age who contributed to his development as an artist.

2022: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 2022, Eminem was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

May 2025: American Music Awards Win

In May 2025, Eminem won Favorite Hip Hop Artist and Favorite Hip Hop Album for The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) at the 2025 American Music Awards.