Encore | ||||
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Released | November 12, 2004 | |||
Recorded | June 2003–August 2004 | |||
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Eminem chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
Singles from Encore | ||||
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Encore is the fifth studio album by American rapper Eminem,released on November 12,2004,through Aftermath Entertainment,Shady Records,and Interscope Records. As reflected in its title and cover art,the album was originally set to be Eminem's final studio album. [3] Its lyrical themes include Eminem's criticism of the 43rd U.S. president,George W. Bush,parodies of Michael Jackson and Christopher Reeve,and Eminem's feud with Benzino and Ja Rule. Overall,the album features more comedic themes and lyrics than his previous albums. [4]
Encore was met with mixed to positive reviews,with most of the second half being heavily criticized,though "Mockingbird" and "Like Toy Soldiers" were particularly highly praised and retrospectively have been ranked as some of Eminem's best songs. The album has sold 11 million copies worldwide and was certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on December 17,2004.
"Christopher Reeves" was a song originally intended to be on the album,but was cut after its namesake,Superman film actor Christopher Reeve,died of heart failure on October 10,2004,a month prior to the album's release. The song was later reworked and released under the title "Brand New Dance" on Eminem's twelfth studio album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) . [5]
The first of two covers for the album features Eminem standing in front of an audience,bowing to the crowd. The tray insert features Eminem holding a gun behind his back,while the inlay shows Eminem holding the pistol in his mouth without his jacket on. The CD itself shows a note written by Eminem saying "To my family &all my friends,thank you for everything,I will always love you. To my fans,I'm Sorry,Marshall" with a bullet underneath,which is also seen in the album's booklet,where Eminem is writing the note. Some pictures show Eminem shooting everybody,which refers to the ending of the album's title track. The second cover,used for the Collector's Edition,features the same audience from the inlay on a black background with a blood splat on the top right.
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 64/100 [6] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [7] |
Blender | [8] |
Entertainment Weekly | C− [9] |
The Guardian | [10] |
NME | 7/10 [11] |
Pitchfork | 6.5/10 [12] |
Rolling Stone | [13] |
Slant Magazine | [14] |
Spin | B [15] |
The Village Voice | A [16] |
Encore received generally mixed reviews from critics,with more of a negative response compared to his past three albums. [17] At Metacritic,which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications,the album received an average score of 64,based on 26 reviews. [6] Josh Love from Stylus Magazine felt Eminem was "dying" with this album,whose concept was "end-to-end mea culpa",full of "clarifications,rectifications and excuses",revising the history of "a man who knows he doesn't have much time left". [18] Scott Plangenhoef,writing for Pitchfork called Encore a "transitional record" and "the sound of a man who seems bored of re-branding and playing celebrity games". [12] BBC Music's Adam Webb believed it starts "fantastically" but ends "abominably",writing that it has too many "low points". [19] David Browne from Entertainment Weekly said Eminem "sacrifices the rich,multi-textured productions" of his two previous albums for "thug-life monotony,cultural zingers for petty music-biz score-settling,and probing self-analysis for juvenile humor". He concluded his review by saying that Eminem has become "predictable" on Encore,something that he wasn't before. [9]
Stephen Thomas Erlewine was more enthusiastic in his review for AllMusic,calling the music "spartan",built on "simple unadorned beats and keyboard loops",and the lyrics "plain-spoken and literal". [7] Robert Christgau said Eminem still sounded "funny,catchy and clever,and irreverent past his allotted time",noting that even the bonus tracks "keep on pushing". [16] In Rolling Stone ,he wrote that Encore was not as "astonishing" as The Marshall Mathers LP ,but praised Eminem for maturing his lyrical abilities while retaining his sense of humor. [13] Steve Jones from USA Today also spoke positively about the album,calling Eminem's producing and lyrical skills as "top-flight" and noting that the record explores "the many sides of Marshall Mathers". [20] The album earned Eminem Grammy Award nominations in three categories at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards:Best Rap Album,Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for the song "Encore",and Best Rap Solo Performance for the song "Mockingbird".
Encore provoked some controversy over anti-Bush lyrics and lyrics that parodied and targeted Michael Jackson,who criticized Eminem's depiction of him in the video for "Just Lose It". [21] On December 8,2003,the United States Secret Service admitted it was "looking into" allegations that Eminem had threatened the President of the United States,George Bush, [22] after the song "We As Americans",in an unreleased bootleg called Straight From The Lab,circulated with the lyrics "Fuck money,I don't rap for dead presidents. I'd rather see the president dead." This line was eventually used as a sample in Immortal Technique's single "Bin Laden",which featured Mos Def and Chuck D. The incident was later referenced in the video for his song "Mosh" as one of several news clips on a wall,along with other newspaper articles about other unfortunate incidents in Bush's career. The song eventually appeared on the album's bonus disc,with the word "dead" being reversed.
In retrospect,Eminem stated numerous times that he considers Encore as one of his worst albums. He described its reception,"I'm cool with probably half that album. I recorded that towards the height of my addiction. I remember four songs leaked and I had to go to L.A. and get Dre and record new ones. I was in a room by myself writing songs in 25,and 30 minutes because we had to get it done,and what came out was so goofy. That's how I ended up making songs like 'Rain Man' and 'Big Weenie'. They're pretty out there. If those other songs hadn't leaked,Encore would've been a different album." [23] In an interview with Sway Calloway for his album Kamikaze,he stated that although "Encore... [is] not what I would consider one of my better albums",he considered it better than its follow-up Relapse . [24] He reiterated his statement about Encore in 2022 for the XXL's 25th anniversary issue and singled out the album as his first «misstep»:"It became a misstep and I struggled to get over the fact that I didn't do my best. My best would've been good enough if the leaks hadn't happened. But I released what I had at that point in time,and I feel that put a kind of a mark on my catalog. Encore did some decent numbers,but I was never that concerned with numbers. I was more so worried about what people think about the album. Critics and fans were important to me,and they were always at me about that project." [25] [26]
Encore was released on November 12,2004. [27] The release date was moved up from the originally planned November 16 to countermeasure leaks. [28] The album sold 710,000 copies. [29] The following week,the album's first with a full seven days,it moved 871,000 copies,bringing the 10 day total to 1,582,000. [30] It was certified quadruple-platinum that mid-December. [31] Nine months after its release,worldwide sales of the album stood at 11 million copies. [32] The album made digital history in becoming the first album to sell 10,000 digital copies in one week. [33] As of November 2013,the album had sold 5,343,000 copies in the US. [34]
Encore sold 125,000 copies in two days in the United Kingdom, [35] and has been certified quadruple-platinum.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Curtains Up" | 0:47 | ||
2. | "Evil Deeds" |
| Dr. Dre | 4:20 |
3. | "Never Enough" (featuring 50 Cent and Nate Dogg) |
|
| 2:40 |
4. | "Yellow Brick Road" |
|
| 5:46 |
5. | "Like Toy Soldiers" |
|
| 4:57 |
6. | "Mosh" |
|
| 5:18 |
7. | "Puke" |
|
| 4:08 |
8. | "My 1st Single" |
|
| 5:03 |
9. | "Paul" (skit) | 0:32 | ||
10. | "Rain Man" |
| Dr. Dre | 5:14 |
11. | "Big Weenie" |
| Dr. Dre | 4:27 |
12. | "Em Calls Paul" (skit) | 1:12 | ||
13. | "Just Lose It" |
|
| 4:09 |
14. | "Ass Like That" |
|
| 4:26 |
15. | "Spend Some Time" (featuring Obie Trice, Stat Quo and 50 Cent) |
|
| 5:11 |
16. | "Mockingbird" |
|
| 4:11 |
17. | "Crazy in Love" |
|
| 4:02 |
18. | "One Shot 2 Shot" (featuring D12) |
|
| 4:26 |
19. | "Final Thought" (skit) | 0:30 | ||
20. | "Encore" / "Curtains Down" (featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent) |
|
| 5:48 |
Total length: | 76:53 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
21. | "We as Americans" |
|
| 4:36 |
22. | "Love You More" |
|
| 4:42 |
23. | "Ricky Ticky Toc" |
|
| 2:49 |
Total length: | 89:00 |
Notes
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes. [37]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Argentina (CAPIF) [120] | Gold | 20,000^ |
Australia (ARIA) [121] | 8× Platinum | 560,000‡ |
Austria (IFPI Austria) [122] | Platinum | 30,000* |
Belgium (BEA) [123] | Gold | 25,000* |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [124] | 4× Platinum | 80,000‡ |
Finland (Musiikkituottajat) [125] | Gold | 21,780 [125] |
France (SNEP) [126] | 2× Gold | 200,000* |
Germany (BVMI) [127] | 3× Gold | 300,000‡ |
Greece (IFPI Greece) [51] | Gold | 10,000^ |
Ireland (IRMA) [128] | 5× Platinum | 75,000^ |
Italy (FIMI) [129] sales since 2009 | Gold | 25,000‡ |
Japan (RIAJ) [130] | Platinum | 250,000^ |
Mexico (AMPROFON) [131] | Gold | 50,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [132] | 5× Platinum | 75,000^ |
Norway (IFPI Norway) [133] | Platinum | 40,000* |
Poland (ZPAV) [134] | Gold | 20,000* |
Portugal (AFP) [135] | Silver | 10,000^ |
Russia (NFPF) [136] | Platinum | 20,000* |
South Africa (RISA) [63] | Platinum | 50,000* |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [137] | Gold | 50,000^ |
Sweden (GLF) [138] | Gold | 30,000^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [139] | Platinum | 40,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [140] | 4× Platinum | 1,300,000 [141] |
United States (RIAA) [142] | 5× Platinum | 5,343,000 [143] |
Summaries | ||
Europe (IFPI) [144] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
The Eminem Show is the fourth studio album by American rapper Eminem, released on May 26, 2002, through Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records. The album saw Eminem take a predominant production role, including the album's three hit singles: "Without Me", "Cleanin' Out My Closet", and "Sing for the Moment". Guest appearances include Obie Trice, D12, Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg, Dina Rae, and Eminem's daughter, Hailie Jade.
D12 World is the final studio album by American hip-hop group D12, released on April 27, 2004. The album sold 544,000 copies in its first week on the U.S. Billboard 200. The album is also the last D12 release to feature Proof before his death in 2006, and the second D12 album to feature Bugz on a track.
Collision Course is a collaborative EP from American rapper Jay-Z and rock band Linkin Park, released on November 30, 2004, by Roc-A-Fella, Machine Shop, Warner Bros. and Def Jam. From Linkin Park's catalog, Collision Course features three songs from Meteora and four from Hybrid Theory. From Jay-Z's catalog, it features three songs from The Black Album, one from Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter, one from Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life and one from The Blueprint. Before the album, Jay-Z had released collaborations with The Roots and R. Kelly, and Linkin Park had collaborated with various artists on their remix album Reanimation.
Devil's Night is the debut studio album by American hip-hop supergroup D12. It was released on June 19, 2001, by Shady Records and Interscope Records. It was also the first album to be released on Shady Records, although the label had been active since 1999. Production was primarily handled by Eminem and Dr. Dre, with contributions by Mr. Porter, DJ Head, and Jeff Bass. The album features guest appearances by Obie Trice, Truth Hurts, and Dina Rae.
8 Mile: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture is the official soundtrack album to the 2002 film of the same name. The album, performed by various artists, was released by Universal Pictures' then subsidiary Universal Music, through Interscope and Shady Records. It spawned the hit single "Lose Yourself" by Eminem, who also stars in the semi-autobiographical movie.
"Mockingbird" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fifth studio album Encore (2004). It was released as the fifth single from the album on April 25, 2005, through Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records. The song was later included on Eminem's greatest hits compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits (2005). It was written and produced by Eminem himself and Luis Resto. The song is dedicated to Eminem’s two daughters, Hailie Jade and Alaina Marie, who were 9 and 11 years old at the time.
"Like Toy Soldiers" is a song by American rapper Eminem, from his fifth album Encore (2004). The song received positive reviews from music critics, and peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Like Toy Soldiers" topped the charts in the United Kingdom, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in 12 countries, including Australia, Denmark, Germany, and New Zealand. The song samples the 1989 song "Toy Soldiers" by Martika. It is the fourth single from the album. The song also appears on the Curtain Call: The Hits compilation released in 2005.
Man vs. Machine is the fourth studio album by American rapper Xzibit. It was released on October 1, 2002. Special guests include Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, M.O.P, and Nate Dogg. Producers on the album include Rick Rock, Bink, Rockwilder, Erick Sermon, DJ Premier, and Dr. Dre. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 with over 156,000 copies sold in its first week. Since then album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was the last album released by Loud Records before it went defunct the same year.
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"Sing for the Moment" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fourth album The Eminem Show (2002). It was released on February 25, 2003, as the fourth single from The Eminem Show and the final single in the United States. The song samples "Dream On" by American rock band Aerosmith.
"When I'm Gone" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his first greatest hits album Curtain Call: The Hits (2005). It was released on December 6, 2005, the same day as the album was released, as the lead single.
American rapper Eminem has released 12 studio albums, two compilation albums, and one extended play. His music has been released on record labels Interscope Records and Aftermath Entertainment, along with subsidiaries Web Entertainment and his own Shady Records. Eminem is the best-selling rapper of all time and the best-selling artist of the 2000s with US album sales at over 32.25 million during the decade. With sales of over 220 million records worldwide, he is among of the best-selling music artists of all time. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Eminem has sold 228.5 million certified albums and singles in the United States. In his home country, he has earned 50 platinum albums and 11 number one albums.[A]
Eminem Presents: The Re-Up or simply, The Re-Up, is a compilation album performed by various artists of American record label, Shady Records. The album features performances by Shady Records artists Eminem, D12, 50 Cent, Obie Trice, Stat Quo, Bobby Creekwater and Cashis, while affiliated artists such as Lloyd Banks, Akon and Nate Dogg, made guest appearances. The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart and has since sold over one million copies in the US alone, being certified platinum by the RIAA.
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The discography of American record producer, sound engineer, and rapper Dr. Dre consists of three studio albums, forty-two singles,, two compilation albums, one soundtrack album, and twenty-one music videos.
Recovery is the seventh studio album by the American rapper Eminem, released on June 18, 2010, by Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records. Unlike his previous albums, it features a majority of outside producers, including Alex da Kid, Just Blaze, Boi-1da, Jim Jonsin and Havoc, alongside in-house producers Emile, DJ Khalil, Mr. Porter, and Dr. Dre. The album also features pop artists such as Pink and Rihanna, as well as rapper Lil Wayne and the rap group Slaughterhouse.
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"Without Me" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fourth studio album The Eminem Show (2002). "Without Me" was released on May 13, 2002, as the lead single from the album, and re-released on his greatest hits compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits (2005). "Without Me" is one of Eminem's most successful singles, reaching number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and number one in fifteen countries.
American rapper Eminem has released 60 singles as a lead artist and 16 promotional singles. He has also featured in 21 singles as a guest artist, while entering the charts with over 100 additional songs.
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