Music: Is It Time to name Eminem the G.O.A.T yet?

They say “Eminem is back”. With his latest surprise release Music To Be Murdered By, the rapper has released an impressive 11 studio albums and over 2 decades of music. While most rappers enjoy their one-hit wonders and 15 minutes of fame careers, Slim Shady has done what only a few artists have done and outlived their antics. Too many rappers fight their way into the spotlight, drop a good radio single, then fade into obscurity.

So when it comes to all-time greats, the G.O.A.T. in most circles, it’s hard not to bring up Eminem’s name in the conversation. Of course, everyone will throw out titans like Jay-Z, Tupac, Biggie, Nas and list Eminem somewhere in the middle. But with his track record, sales, and accomplishments it would be hard to argue that he doesn’t belong on the top of that list.

Before all, your old school hip-hop heads start a riot consider the facts. Yes, both B.I.G. and Pac forever changed the game and if they were still alive today the landscape might be very different, but they’re not. No one can take away what they meant to music and what people felt when those songs came on, but their careers were cut short and we are where we are because of it.

Of the duo, only Tupac cracks the top 10 best selling all-time. Out of Nas and Jay? Jay-Z is fourth on the list selling 125 million and he still falls just under 100 million albums less than Em. Then there’s Kanye West and Drake to round out the top of the list. Drake has the star power at #2 and is 70 million short. Kanye? 9 consecutive number one debuts and is still ~85 million shies of Eminem and if Music to be Murdered By debuts atop the charts, the tie-breaker goes to Em.

Then, of course, there’s his music. If records define your argument then consider as a lyricist, Musixmatch listed Eminem to have the largest vocabulary of the best-selling artists of all-time with 8910 unique words in his top 100 lengthiest songs. On that same list, Jay-Z with 6902, Tupac with 6570, Kanye with 5068, and Bob Dylan with 4883. Toss out the fact he holds the record for most words in a hit single with his song Rap God and its clear he can rhyme anything. And if speed is one of your qualifications you have to look no further than his Tech N9ne collaboration Speedom to hear the rapid-fire rhymes that place him towards the top as well.

If it’s all about a popularity contest, then let social media weigh in. Following along on Facebook, Eminem has ~87 million followers sitting atop the most followed male artist. The next closest male artist is Justin Bieber who falls 10 million short at 77 million. While social media is constantly changing to follow the trends, Em still holds the title for the most followed male artist.

Got beef? Before meeting Dr. Dre and launching his career into the spotlight, Eminem made a name for himself circling the rap battle scene. Fast forward to his new record-shattering career and any artist that stands against him quickly feels his wrath. Nick Cannon and MGK are his most recently talked about, but Fred Durst and Limp Bizkit, Everlast, Canibus, Ja Rule, and ICP have all been sprayed on tracks. None came out smelling like roses or had much of a career after.

Whether you love his music or hate it, laugh at his antics or cringe, you can’t deny his spot as one of the greatest of all-time but can you put him on top. At almost 25 years after his first studio album, his surprise release Music To Be Murdered By was still the most talked-about album to start 2020 and is full of his typical antics. While his music has had mixed reviews over the years, his fame has never faded. If there’s even a hint of a move being made by Slim Shady, the entire industry’s ears perk up. Take sides if you want, but nothing says G.O.A.T like that kind of power.