Eminem has once again cemented his legacy in the music world, with six of his albums landing on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums of the 21st Century list. The fact that he outshines all other rappers — including Drake, who has five albums on the list — speaks volumes about his lasting influence and unparalleled status in the music industry.
However, the recognition is bittersweet. While it’s impressive to see six of Eminem’s projects represented, there’s an undeniable sense of underappreciation for some of his most iconic albums. “The Eminem Show,” for example, is not just a landmark album in his discography — it’s the best-selling hip hop album of all time, having surpassed 40 million units sold worldwide. Yet, on Billboard’s list, it only ranks at No.39, trailing behind several other hip hop albums, including Lil Baby’s “My Turn,” which claimed the No.1 hip hop spot. “The Eminem Show” deserves much more than this, given its groundbreaking success.
Similarly, “Curtain Call,” the album that holds the title for the longest charting hip hop album in Billboard history, enduring for an astonishing 717 weeks, came in at No.53. This achievement is even more remarkable when considering it’s the seventh-longest charting album across all genres, not just hip hop. Yet, it only ranks ninth in hip hop, further illustrating the frustration that comes with his somewhat overlooked status.
Still, despite these frustrations, the number of Eminem albums featured on the list is an impressive testament to his enduring power. Alongside “The Eminem Show” and “Curtain Call,” albums like “Recovery” (No.67), “The Marshall Mathers LP” (No.121), “Encore” (No.154), and “The Marshall Mathers LP2” (No.192) all make their presence felt. With six entries, Eminem outpaces every other rapper, securing a place in music history that not even the likes of Drake can surpass. Only Taylor Swift, with seven albums on the list, holds a higher ranking.
