Eminem's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Eminem.

Eminem, born Marshall Mathers III, is a highly influential American rapper, songwriter, and producer. Celebrated as one of the greatest rappers ever, he popularized hip-hop in Middle America and overcame racial barriers for white rappers. His provocative work in the late 90s and early 2000s sparked controversy, yet he became an icon representing the angst of the American underclass.

Sections (7)

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

1987: About.com Ranked Eminem 7th Greatest MC of Our Time

From 1987-2007, About.com ranked Eminem 7th on its list of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time.

March 9, 1998: Signing with 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 Slim Shady LP. Late in 1999, he started his own record label, Shady Records.

1999: Founding of Shady Records

In late 1999, after releasing The Slim Shady LP, Eminem started his own record label, Shady Records, with his manager Paul Rosenberg.

1999: Founded Shady Records with Paul Rosenberg

In late 1999, following multiplatinum record sales, Interscope offered Eminem his own label, leading to the founding of Shady Records with Paul Rosenberg.

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: Artist of the Decade

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

2000: Bestselling Music Artist (2000-2009)

From 2000 to 2009, Eminem was the bestselling music artist in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.

2000: Release of The Marshall Mathers LP

In May 2000, Eminem released 'The Marshall Mathers LP', which broke records by selling 1.76 million copies in its first week. The album became the fastest-selling hip-hop album in the U.S.

2001: Grammy Performance with Elton John and Collaboration with Jay-Z

In 2001, Eminem performed with Elton John at the 43rd Grammy Awards ceremony. He also produced and rapped on the song "Renegade" on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint.

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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 full week. The album examined the effects of Eminem's rise to fame, his relationships, and his status in the hip-hop community. It eventually sold 27 million copies worldwide and was the bestselling album of 2002.

2002: Hollywood debut in 8 Mile

In 2002, Eminem made his Hollywood debut in the semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile.

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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 that year. It remains the best-selling hip-hop album in history.

2002: Signed 50 Cent to Shady Records in a joint venture with Aftermath

In 2002, Eminem signed 50 Cent to Shady Records through a joint venture with Dr. Dre's Aftermath label.

2002: Starring in 8 Mile and Academy Award

In 2002, Eminem starred in the musical drama film 8 Mile. Also, in 2002, Eminem's song, "Lose Yourself", from the 8 Mile soundtrack, topped the Billboard Hot 100 and later won an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

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2002: Academy Award Win for "Lose Yourself"

In 2002, Eminem won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Lose Yourself" from 8 Mile, becoming the first rapper to receive the award. He also won MTV Movie & TV Awards and Critics' Choice Movie Award for the same song.

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2003: Eminem and Dr. Dre added Stat Quo to the Shady-Aftermath roster

In 2003, Eminem and Dr. Dre added Atlanta rapper Stat Quo to the Shady-Aftermath roster.

2003: "Lose Yourself" won an Academy Award

In 2003, Eminem's song "Lose Yourself" from the 8 Mile soundtrack won an Academy Award for Best Original Song, becoming the longest-running No. 1 hip-hop single in history, but Eminem was absent from the ceremony.

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2005: Eminem signed Bobby Creekwater and Cashis to Shady Records

In 2005, Eminem signed Atlanta rapper Bobby Creekwater and West Coast rapper Cashis to Shady Records.

2007: About.com Ranked Eminem 7th Greatest MC of Our Time

From 1987-2007, About.com ranked Eminem 7th on its list of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time.

April 20, 2008: Eminem Achieves Sobriety

On April 20, 2008, Eminem achieved sobriety. Following his near-fatal overdose in 2007, he began attending church meetings and sought help from a rehabilitation counselor. Elton John mentored him, and Eminem began an exercise program.

2008: Vibe Readers Named Eminem Best Rapper Alive

In 2008, Vibe readers named Eminem the Best Rapper Alive.

2009: Artist of the Decade

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

2009: Bestselling Music Artist (2000-2009)

From 2000 to 2009, Eminem was the bestselling music artist in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.

2009: Labeled "King of Hip-Hop" by Rolling Stone

From 2009 to the first half of 2011, Eminem was labeled the "King of Hip-Hop" by Rolling Stone based on an analysis of album sales, chart positions, YouTube views, social media following, concert grosses, industry awards and critical ratings of solo rappers.

November 21, 2010: US sales for "Recovery" album

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

December 2010: "Great Eminem Recovery" on Billboard's Top 25 Music Moments of 2010

In December 2010, the "Great Eminem Recovery" was 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 featuring former porn actress Sasha Grey; the video was released June 24 on the iTunes Store.

2010: Release of Recovery

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

2010: MTV Portugal Ranks Eminem as 7th Biggest Icon

In 2010, MTV Portugal ranked Eminem as the 7th biggest icon in popular music history.

March 2011: The Marshall Mathers LP Certified Diamond

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

March 2011: Diamond Certification for The Eminem Show and The Marshall Mathers LP

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.

2011: Labeled "King of Hip-Hop" by Rolling Stone

In 2011, Eminem was labeled the "King of Hip-Hop" by Rolling Stone based on an analysis of album sales, chart positions, YouTube views, social media following, concert grosses, industry awards and critical ratings of solo rappers.

2012: Ranked 6th on The Source's Top 50 Lyricists of All Time

In 2012, The Source ranked Eminem 6th on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time.

2013: Global Icon Award at MTV Europe Music Awards

In 2013, Eminem received the Global Icon Award at the MTV Europe Music Awards ceremony.

2013: Release of The Marshall Mathers LP 2

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

2013: Awards and Certifications

In 2013, Eminem was named the first YouTube Music Awards Artist of the Year and received the Global Icon Award at the MTV Europe Music Awards. He also became the first artist to receive two digital diamond certifications by the RIAA.