Eminem's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Eminem.

Eminem, born Marshall Mathers, is a highly influential American rapper, songwriter, and producer. Widely considered one of the greatest rappers of all time, he's credited with popularizing hip-hop in Middle America and challenging racial barriers within the music industry. Despite controversy surrounding his often transgressive lyrics in the late 90s and early 2000s, he became an iconic figure embodying the angst of the American underclass.

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 was signed to Aftermath and Interscope.

1999: Mainstream Popularity with 'The Slim Shady LP'

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

1999: Eminem founds Shady Records

In late 1999, following multiplatinum record sales, Interscope offered Eminem his own label, leading him and Paul Rosenberg to found Shady Records.

May 2000: Release of 'The Marshall Mathers LP'

In May 2000, Eminem released 'The Marshall Mathers LP'. It sold 1.76 million copies in its first week, breaking U.S. records.

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

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

2000: Release of 'The Marshall Mathers LP'

In 2000, Eminem released 'The Marshall Mathers LP', which became a worldwide success.

2001: Performance at the 43rd Grammy Awards

In 2001, Eminem performed "Stan" with Elton John at the 43rd Grammy Awards ceremony, which was met with condemnation from GLAAD due to Eminem's perceived homophobic lyrics. On February 21, 2001, GLAAD held a protest outside the Staples Center, the venue for the awards ceremony. Additionally, Eminem was featured on Jay-Z's album 'The Blueprint', producing and rapping on the song "Renegade".

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May 2002: Release of The Eminem Show

In May 2002, Eminem released 'The Eminem Show', which topped the charts and sold over 1.332 million copies in its first week. The album addresses Eminem's rise to fame, his relationships, and his status in hip-hop. It became the bestselling album of 2002, selling 27 million copies worldwide and was certified Diamond by the RIAA.

2002: Academy Award for Best Original Song

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: Release of 'The Eminem Show'

In 2002, Eminem released 'The Eminem Show', which became a worldwide success and the best-selling album worldwide of that year.

2002: Starring in '8 Mile' and Academy Award Win

In 2002, Eminem starred in the musical drama film '8 Mile', playing a dramatized version of himself. The song "Lose Yourself" from the soundtrack won an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

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2002: Eminem's First Worldwide Bestselling Album

In 2002, The Eminem Show was the world's best-selling album, marking the first of Eminem's two worldwide year-end number-one albums.

2003: Eminem wins Academy Award for Best Original Song

In 2003, Eminem won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Lose Yourself" from the 8 Mile soundtrack, becoming the longest-running No. 1 hip-hop single in history. Luis Resto accepted the award in his absence.

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

On December 6, 2005, Eminem released a greatest hits album, 'Curtain Call: The Hits', which sold approximately 441,000 copies in its first week in the U.S. and became his fourth consecutive number-one album on the Billboard Hot 200.

April 20, 2008: Eminem Achieved Sobriety

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

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

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

2009: Release of 'Relapse'

In 2009, Eminem returned to the music industry with the release of 'Relapse'.

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

As of November 21, 2010, the album 'Recovery' had sold three million copies in the U.S.

2010: Release of 'Recovery'

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

2010: Release and Chart Success of Recovery

In 2010, Eminem released 'Recovery', which sold 741,000 copies in its first week in the U.S., topping the Billboard 200 chart and several other countries' charts. It remained at the top for five consecutive weeks.

March 2011: Diamond Certification of Two Albums

In March 2011, 'The Eminem Show' and 'The Marshall Mathers LP' were certified diamond by the RIAA, making Eminem the only rapper with two diamond-certified albums.

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: Release of 'The Marshall Mathers LP 2'

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

2014: Named Most-Streamed Artist on Spotify

In 2014, Eminem was named the most-streamed artist of all time on Spotify.

2017: Release of 'Revival'

In 2017, Eminem released 'Revival', which debuted atop the US Billboard 200.

2018: Release of 'Kamikaze'

In 2018, Eminem released 'Kamikaze', which debuted atop the US Billboard 200.

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

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

2020: Release of 'Music to Be Murdered By'

In 2020, Eminem released 'Music to Be Murdered By', which debuted atop the US Billboard 200.

November 2022: Mother's Tribute at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

In November 2022, Eminem's mother publicly paid tribute to him when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2022: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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

2024: Release of 'The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)'

In 2024, Eminem released 'The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)', which debuted atop the US Billboard 200.

May 2025: Eminem Wins Awards at American Music Awards

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.