The Eminem Show is released

Why it matters

The Eminem Show came out May 26, 2002, on Aftermath/Interscope. It is Eminem's fourth album. He produced most of it himself this time, which was a shift from the Dr. Dre-anchored Slim Shady LP and Marshall Mathers LP. The album sold 1.32 million copies in its first week despite being leaked in full nine days before its release date. The Eminem Show is the autobiographical Em album, after Slim Shady LP (the cartoon Em) and Marshall Mathers LP (the mix). "Without Me" was the lead single. "Cleanin' Out My Closet," the song about his mother, was the second. "Sing for the Moment," the third. "Hailie's Song," "Til I Collapse," "Superman." The album would eventually sell more than 27 million copies worldwide and is one of the best-selling rap albums of the 21st century. It also won the 2003 Best Rap Album Grammy. The Eminem Show is the album where the persona shift Eminem had been working out for three records (cartoon, autobiographical, political) consolidated into one document. Then 8 Mile came out six months later, and he became, briefly, the most famous person in America. You can hear the takeoff in this album.