Top 10 Memorable Eminem Moments
Will the Real Slim Shady please stand up? Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we are counting down our top 10 Eminem moments. For this list, we have chosen moments that represented milestones in Eminem's career so far – the classic, set piece moments that built the icon we know today.
#10: Eminem’s Cameo in “The Interview”
In late 2014, the internet was abuzz about the controversial film, The Interview. But the web went ablaze all over again due to Eminem’s cameo. In the film, he plays a fictionalized version of himself who, off the cuff, announces that he is gay. Although this was a scripted part, fans started to freak out about the rapper’s “confession”. Movie Em' claimed to be shocked fans never figured it out, but real world fans were shocked he'd take such a big shot at himself, and debated if there was a secret truth hidden in the joke. Let's just say, it was a lot more divisive than his Funny People cameo.
#9: The Marshall Mathers Foundation
Don’t be surprised if you didn’t know about Eminem’s foundation. While he's serious about charity, Mathers isn’t big on promoting his charitable deeds. In fact, most of his donations come with the stipulation of remaining private. Much of the charity's work is done around and for the communities in Detroit – Eminem’s home town – and there is an emphasis on activities that help disadvantaged youth. The foundation has also been known to partner with organizations like Wolverine Human Services, which is a charity that helps children, and Elton John’s AIDS Foundation.
#8: Back-to-Back Best Rap Album Grammy Wins... Twice
When Eminem released The Marshal Mathers LP in 2000 it sold 1.78 million copies in its first week. But more than that, it made history when it netted him his second consecutive Grammy for Best Rap Album, making him the first artist to do so. His next release, The Eminem Show also won, but 2010's Relapse and 2011's Recovery saw Mathers pull off another set of back to back wins, making him – to date – the only rapper to claim to accomplish this twice. Throw in 2015'sThe Marshall Mathers LP 2 and Eminem becomes the most awarded rapper in history, with 6 Grammys in this category.
#7: Founding of Shady Records
Following the success of The Slim Shady LP, Eminem founded Shady Records with his manager Paul Rosenberg in 1999. In the label's history, they have been the home to acts like Obie Trice, D12, and, most notably, 50 Cent. Fiddy’s first album on the label, Get Rich or Die Tryin', became the fastest selling debut in US History, and as the company's third release over all, it set the bar pretty high. But as of 2017, 18 of Shady Records' 24 releases have been certified platinum, proving Get Rich was no fluke. In 2004 company broke new ground, and branched into radio, founding the Shade 45 on Sirius XM.
#6: Eminem Hits 1 Billion YouTube Views
In 2011, Eminem became the third artist, and the first rapper to hit 1 billion views on YouTube. Pushing him over was the video for “Love the Way You Lie”, a collaboration with Rihanna. The video depicts the effects of a couple who is in an abusive relationship. No stranger to controversy, this video received mixed reviews from critics who both praised it, and hated the imagery. Possibly due to that controversy, it broke a YouTube record when it reached 6.6 million hits in a single day. As of 2017 the video itself crossed the billion view mark, bringing Em's total count to over 9 billion views.
#5: The “Stan” Music Video
The lyrics to “Stan” take us behind the mind of an obsessed fan. But in the video, we watch in horror as it all plays out. Track collaborator Dido stars as Stan’s pregnant girlfriend who watches him continuously spiral out of control. Although heavily censored, the video shows Stan becoming more agitated and violent with his partner. By the climax of the song, the drama has escalated to a drunk Stan planning to drive off a bridge, with a bound and gagged Dido in the trunk of his car. It's dark and it's graphic, but despite the backlash, “Stan” – video and all – is regarded as one of Eminem’s most critically acclaimed songs.
#4: “The Real Slim Shady” MTV Performance
In a response to the pervasiveness of squeaky clean pop groups, Eminem wrote “The Real Slim Shady”. The song criticizes pop stars by name, an even sparked a few controversies along the way. In the song's video, Eminem is shown in a factory where other Slim Shadys are being produced. These Shady clones made their to the streets of New York for the MTV Performance. Starting outside Radio City Music Hall, Eminem marches inside the building followed by 100 clones. By the time he makes it to the stage, the entire audience is on their feet, electrified by this unexpected entrance.
#3: Eminem Records “My Name Is” with Dr. Dre
“My Name is” was the first song that Dr. Dre and Eminem recorded together, and it marked the beginning of one of the most important partnerships in the history of rap. Per Dre, Eminem hit on the “Hi, my name is...” refrain within seconds of the doctor programming the drum machine. While distinctly goofier than his later output, the track, and the accompanying video were definite attention getters that announced Mather's arrival on the scene and launched his career in a big way. The Grammy winning single fueled also the success of The Slim Shady LP, which itself earned Eminem his first Grammy for Best Rap Album.
#2: 8 Mile: #1 Film, Album, and Song
Eminem’s career as a rapper and actor converge in this semi-autobiographical drama. Proving himself a capable actor, Mathers plays B-Rabbit, an aspiring rapper looking to make a name for himself in hip- hop, while fighting for a better life for himself and his younger sister. Eminem’s Shady Records also released the soundtrack to the film, featuring “Lose Yourself”, which would have a massive chart run and went on to win an Oscar for Best Original Song. In addition, “8 Mile” provided him the very rare accolade of having a #1 film, album and song in the same week.
Before we unveil our number one pick, here are some honorable mentions.
His Beef with Moby at the VMAs
“Without Me” at the MTV Movie Awards
The Rolling Stone Cover
#1: Performing “Stan” with Elton John
By the time the Eminem made it to the Grammys in 2001 he was deeply embroiled in controversy. While his lyrics were criticized for their violence and insensitivity, feminist and LGBT groups had protested due to the misogynistic and homophobic slant of his insults. So the last thing anyone expected was for Elton John to perform with Eminem at the Grammy Awards. Hidden behind a wall, we hear Elton's piano before the wall shifts and we see him singing Dido’s hook, becoming what is considered one of the best duets in Grammy history.