Eminem Earns His First Top 40 Hit In More Than 20 Years On One Chart

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Eminem is working hard to promote his forthcoming album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce). The full-length is expected to drop on July 12, and ahead of its release, the rapper has shared two singles from the project. The first of them, “Houdini,” has become a cross-genre smash, and this week, it helps the musician behind it score his first big win on one tally in decades.

“Houdini” debuts on the Alternative Airplay chart this week. The ranking usually caters only to rock-leaning songs, but Eminem’s difficult-to-categorize cut has become popular enough that it’s being put into rotation by programmers around the country. This frame, the single opens at No. 35.

Eminem collects his fifth hit on the Alternative Airplay chart this week. “Houdini” also marks his first new top 40 smash on the radio list since 2002, as he’s been completely absent from the roster since then.

Back in 2002, Eminem pushed a pair of singles into the top 40 region on the Alternative Airplay ranking. “Without Me” came first, and it rose as high as No. 15. Before the year was up, he reached a new peak of No. 14 with “Lose Yourself,” which continued charting into 2003.

Before 2002, Eminem had already earned a pair of wins on the tally. “My Name Is” brought him to the Alternative Airplay chart for the first time in 1999. In 2000, he doubled his total number of smashes with “The Real Slim Shady,” which climbed to No. 19.

“Houdini” has become a surprise hit on some unexpected radio formats. The single climbs to a new best showing of No. 29 on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart this frame, its third on the roster.

As “Houdini” continues to reach new audiences via rock radio, Eminem has already seemingly moved on. He recently released the second single from his upcoming album, “Tobey,” which features both Big Sean and BabyTron. That song debuts on five Billboard rankings this week, including the Hot 100 and a number of genre-specific lists. Next frame, it will likely climb higher and possibly land on additional lists as well.