How a greatest hits collection became the longest-charting rap album in history
In short: Released in 2005, Eminem's first compilation album did more than just gather his most popular tracks. It shattered records, eventually becoming the first rap record to spend 800 weeks on the Billboard 200. Discover the story behind the project that redefined longevity in the hip-hop industry.
Curtain Call: The Hits arrived in December 2005, serving as a comprehensive collection of Eminem's most successful singles. Beyond the established hits, the project introduced three fresh recordings, including a collaboration with Nate Dogg. It also featured a notable live performance of the song Stan, recorded alongside Elton John during the 43rd Grammy Awards. The album found immediate commercial success, debuting at the top of both the US Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart.
The commercial performance was swift and significant. Within its initial three weeks, the record moved nearly 1.2 million units. By November 2013, it had surpassed 3.7 million copies sold in the United States alone, eventually earning a Diamond certification from the RIAA in March 2022. Its impact extended well beyond its initial release window; by August 2017, it held the title for the longest-running rap LP on the Billboard 200, and by August 2026, it reached a historic milestone of 800 weeks on the chart.
The album also exists in a clean format, which omits specific tracks like Fack due to their explicit content. Interestingly, this version maintains some profanity, as certain words were not censored on the original releases of The Slim Shady LP or The Marshall Mathers LP. The enduring popularity of the collection eventually paved the way for a sequel, Curtain Call 2, which was released in August 2022 to showcase material from the artist's later career. This trajectory highlights how a retrospective project can evolve into a cultural staple, far outlasting the typical shelf life of a standard greatest hits release.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Curtain Call: The Hits
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