Eminem Reaches Major UK Milestone, Tying with David Bowie and U2 After Release of The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grace) Album

Eminem‘s eleventh studio album, The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grace) went straight to number one on Friday night, knocking Kasabian out of the top spot.

The American rapper whose real name is Marshall Mathers, secured 45,000 chart sales with this album in the first week.

According to the Official Charts Company, it sees the 51-year-old draw level with David Bowie and U2 – who also have 11 chart-topping albums.

Eminem’s incredible chart success began in 1999 with the release of The Slim Shady LP, which contained the huge smash hit My Name Is.

This latest album, which includes chart-topping single Houdini, is his first studio one in four years after he released Music To Be Murdered By, which also featured a deluxe edition, Side B.

Eminem hits HUGE UK milestone and draws level with David Bowie and U2 after release of his 11th studio album, The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grace)
The American rapper whose real name is Marshall Mathers, secured 45,000 chart sales with this album in the first week, knocking Kasabian out of the top spot.

Alongside 11 chart-topping albums the rapper has had 11 UK number one singles with tracks including Stan which featured singer Dido and Lose Yourself.

The huge news comes after Eminem told fans how they should listen to the new album.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he warned: ‘Public service announcement: the ‘death of slim shady’ is a conceptual album, therefore, if you listen to songs out of order they might not make sense. Enjoy.’

By listening in order, the album seems to tell the story of him confronting his alter ego Slim Shady and eventually putting him to rest, which is in line with its name.

However, some hardcore fans of the rapper believe that the proper way to listen to The Death of Slim Shady and uncover its message is to listen to it in reverse.

They have taken to social media to theorise that the album is not actually about Slim Shady’s death, but instead about his revival and coming back to life.

Listeners are guessing that the final song on the album, Somebody Save Me, if listened to first is actually foreshadowing Eminem’s ‘death’.

On top of this, they believe the track Renaissance, which becomes the last song when the album is listened to backwards, represents a rebirth for Slim Shady.

Just before the 19 tracks dropped, Eminem cryptically told his followers how they should listen to the new album
Listeners are guessing that the final song on the album, Somebody Save Me, if listened to first is actually foreshadowing Eminem’s ‘death’ (pictured in 2021)

By listening in order, the album seems to tell the story of him confronting his alter ego Slim Shady and eventually putting him to rest, which is in line with its name
Elsewhere on The Death Of Slim Shady, the track Temporary, written for daughter Hailie Jade Scott, has moved fans to tears.

Fans of the rap icon are hoping that this could mean more songs are coming to prove that Slim Shady is still kicking.

This is a complete twist from the initial theories that the rapper’s 11th studio album could have also been his last.

Elsewhere on The Death Of Slim Shady, the track Temporary, written for daughter Hailie Jade Scott, has moved fans to tears.

It was written to help Hailie cope for when her father is ‘no longer here’ – with the rapper promising to serve as her guardian angel.

It features heartwarming interactions between Eminem and his daughter when she was just a toddler.

The young father plays with his daughter and asks his little ‘monster’ for a kiss – and even playfully chastises her after she is caught saying a curse word.

Hailie, age 28, is now a married woman and is the wife to the influencer, Evan McClintock.

The rap icon and his daughter (far R) pictured at his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in November 2022
Eminem’s daughter Hailie Jade Scott , 28, with her now-husband, Evan McClintock age 28, who she wed in May

‘A lot of people ask me, am I afraid of death?’ Eminem begins. ‘The truth is, I think what scares me the most is not being able to say all the things I wanna say to you when I’m no longer here. So this song is for Hailie, for when that day comes.’

In the lyrics, Eminem urges his daughter to ‘dry’ her tears and promises to forever watch over her.

‘Yeah, so Hailie Jade, I wrote you this song. To help you cope with life now that I’m gone. How should I start? Just wanna say.

‘Look after Eleana, Stevie and Uncle Nate/And, sweetie, be strong; I know I was your rock, and I still am/Saying goodbye is just not ever easy/Why you crying? Just stop/Hailie, baby, dry your eyes, this is not forever.’