Encore (Eminem album)

Did You Know?

• The album's cover art and booklet include a suicide note written by Eminem saying 'To my family & all my friends -- thank you for everything, I will always love you.
• Encore was the first album to sell 10,000 digital copies in one week.

Background

Prior to Encore, Eminem had released The Slim Shady LP (1999), The Marshall Mathers LP (2000), and The Eminem Show (2002) to critical acclaim. During this period, he became addicted to Valium, Ambien, and Vicodin, and in Amsterdam he sometimes took MDMA with Dr. Dre before recording sessions. Eminem later stated that his addiction worsened while transitioning from The Marshall Mathers LP to Encore, recalling an interview with G-Unit on 106 & Park where he could not understand questions and 50 Cent answered for him. By 2004, despite his addiction, Eminem had won nine Grammy Awards and an Oscar for 8 Mile. While recording Encore in 2003, he also produced for Shady Records artists 50 Cent and Obie Trice, whose debut albums Get Rich or Die Tryin' and Cheers were critically and commercially successful. Shady Records inherited a feud between 50 Cent and Ja Rule, as well as Ja Rule's label Murder Inc. Records, which led to diss tracks, including one from Ja Rule mentioning Eminem, Dr. Dre, and Eminem's daughter Hailie. Eminem and his label also feuded with rapper Benzino and his magazine The Source, resulting in additional diss tracks, events referenced in the song "Like Toy Soldiers."

Recording and production

Encore was cut at 54 Studio in Ferndale, Michigan, with some sessions at Trans Continental in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Dre produced eight of the twenty songs, continuing his role from The Slim Shady LP onward. Luis Resto, Mike Elizondo, and Mark Batson also handled production. In December 2003, seven Eminem tracks leaked online, including "We As Americans," "Bully," and "Love You More," which ended up on the bootleg Straight from the Lab. This forced Eminem to head to Los Angeles to record replacements with Dr. Dre. His drug use worsened, and the rushed writing gave the new songs a more comedic feel. Eminem later said that without the leaks, Encore "would've been right there with The Eminem Show" in quality, and that "We As Americans" was planned as the opener, followed by "Bully." The track "Christopher Reeves" was pulled after actor Christopher Reeve died on October 10, 2004, a month before the album dropped. It was reworked and released twenty years later as "Brand New Dance" on Eminem's 2024 album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).

Lyrical themes

Encore contains more comedic themes and lyrics than Eminem's previous albums, including occasional toilet humor. The album's title, cover art, and certain lyrics convey that it was originally set to be his final studio album. Skits feature phone calls with his manager Paul Rosenberg. The second track "Evil Deeds" apologizes for being his "mother's evil seed," recounts his rejection as a youth, and notes how his fame complicated his relationship with his daughter Hailie. "Never Enough" features 50 Cent and Nate Dogg. "Yellow Brick Road" describes Eminem's early years in Detroit and apologizes for disparaging an African-American girl in an old mixtape. "Like Toy Soldiers" interpolates Martika's "Toy Soldiers," discusses feuds with Ja Rule and Benzino, notes how hip-hop conflicts turned fatal, and offers a truce; it was released as the third single on March 15, 2005. "Mosh" is a protest song targeting President George W. Bush, criticizing U.S. involvement in the Iraq War and encouraging listeners to vote him out in the 2004 election. "Puke" targets his ex-wife Kim Scott with vomiting sound effects. "My 1st Single" rejects radio-friendly appeal through inappropriate lyrics and scatological sounds. "Rain Man" declares his new name is Rain Man, compares himself to a superhero, and mocks homophobia. "Big Weenie" attempts to hypnotize the listener, likely Benzino, and accuses him of jealousy. "Just Lose It" targets Michael Jackson, referencing child sexual abuse allegations, and impersonates Pee-wee Herman; it was the lead single released on September 27, 2004.

Critical reception

Encore received mixed to positive reviews, with a more negative response compared to Eminem's past three albums. Josh Love of Stylus Magazine felt Eminem was "dying" with an album full of "clarifications, rectifications and excuses." Scott Plangenhoef of Pitchfork called it a "transitional record" and "the sound of a man who seems bored of re-branding and playing celebrity games." Adam Webb of BBC Music said it starts "fantastically" but ends "abominably" with too many low points. David Browne of Entertainment Weekly wrote that Eminem sacrifices rich productions for "thug-life monotony" and juvenile humor, concluding he had become "predictable." Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic was more enthusiastic, calling the music "spartan" and lyrics "plain-spoken and literal." Robert Christgau said Eminem still sounded "funny, catchy and clever, and irreverent past his allotted time." Rolling Stone noted the album was not as "astonishing" as The Marshall Mathers LP but praised Eminem's matured lyrical abilities and retained humor. Steve Jones of USA Today called his producing and lyrical skills "top-flight." The album earned Grammy nominations for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Encore," and Best Rap Solo Performance for "Mockingbird."