Encore (Eminem album)

Did You Know?

• The album's cover art features Eminem bowing to an audience, while the tray insert shows him holding a gun behind his back and the inlay depicts him holding a Smith & Wesson Sigma in his mouth.
• The CD and one vinyl label show a suicide note written by Eminem reading: '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.
• Encore was the first album to sell 10,000 digital copies in one week.

Background

During this period, he became addicted to drugs including Valium, Ambien, and Vicodin. In Amsterdam, where much of The Marshall Mathers LP was recorded, he sometimes took MDMA with Dr. Dre before extended recording sessions. Eminem stated that his addiction worsened as he moved from The Marshall Mathers LP into Encore, recalling an interview with G-Unit on 106 & Park where he could not understand the host's questions and 50 Cent answered for him. By 2004, despite his addiction, Eminem had won nine Grammy Awards and an Oscar for his role in 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 achieved critical and commercial success. Shady Records inherited a feud between 50 Cent and rapper Ja Rule, along with Ja Rule's label Murder Inc. Records, leading 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 referenced in the song "Like Toy Soldiers."

Recording and production

Encore was recorded at 54 Studio in Ferndale, Michigan, with some work done at Trans Continental in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Dre produced eight of the album's twenty tracks, continuing his production role on all of Eminem's albums since The Slim Shady LP. Songwriters Luis Resto, Mike Elizondo, and Mark Batson also contributed production. In December 2003, seven songs were leaked online, including intended Encore tracks "We As Americans," "Bully," and "Love You More," which were compiled into the bootleg album Straight from the Lab. The leak forced Eminem to travel to Los Angeles to record new songs with Dr. Dre. His worsening drug addiction and the rushed writing gave these new songs a more comedic tone. Eminem later said Encore "would've been right there with The Eminem Show" without the leaks. "We As Americans" and "Love You More" appeared on the deluxe edition bonus disc, while "Bully" was never officially released. The song "Christopher Reeves" was cut after actor Christopher Reeve's death on October 10, 2004, and was reworked 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 reflect its original intent as his final studio album. Skits feature phone calls with his manager Paul Rosenberg. "Evil Deeds" finds Eminem apologizing for being his "mother's evil seed," recounting his rejection as a youth, and noting how his fame complicated his relationship with his daughter Hailie. "Never Enough" includes a verse from 50 Cent and a hook from Nate Dogg. "Yellow Brick Road" describes his early years in Detroit and apologizes for disparaging an African-American girl in an old mixtape unearthed by The Source. "Like Toy Soldiers" interpolates Martika's "Toy Soldiers," discusses 50 Cent's feuds with Ja Rule and Murder Inc. and Eminem's feuds with Benzino and The Source, notes how hip-hop conflicts have turned fatal, and ends with a truce offer. "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 Eminem's ex-wife Kim Scott with sound effects of vomiting. "My 1st Single" rejects radio-friendly conventions through inappropriate lyrics and scatological sounds. "Rain Man" declares Eminem's 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 includes an impersonation of Pee-wee Herman.

Critical reception

Encore received mixed to positive reviews, with a more negative response than Eminem's past three albums. Josh Love of Stylus Magazine felt Eminem was "dying" with this album, calling it an "end-to-end mea culpa" 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." BBC Music's Adam Webb said it starts "fantastically" but ends "abominably" with too many low points. David Browne of Entertainment Weekly wrote that Eminem "sacrifices the rich, multi-textured productions" of his previous albums for "thug-life monotony" and "juvenile humor," concluding that Eminem has become "predictable." Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic was more enthusiastic, calling the music "spartan" with "simple unadorned beats and keyboard loops" 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 maturing lyrical abilities and retained humor. Steve Jones of USA Today called Eminem's 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."