Eminem is still making headlines in October 2026. On 9 October he appeared on EZ MIL's new single "MADARA", which he also co-produced, just days before his 54th birthday on 17 October. It follows a busy 2025 that brought two American Music Awards and the documentary Stans.
From the battle-rap scene in Detroit to the biggest-selling rapper of all time, here is the story of Marshall Mathers. Find tribute designs in our rap and hip-hop collection.
Eminem Fact File
| Real name | Marshall Bruce Mathers III |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 17 October 1972 (age 53) |
| Place of birth | St. Joseph, Missouri, USA |
| Raised | Missouri and Michigan, settling in Detroit |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Rapper, songwriter, record producer, actor |
| Years active | 1988-present |
| Genre | Hip-hop |
| Labels | Web, Aftermath, Shady, Interscope |
| Alter ego | Slim Shady |
| Group | D12 |
Career History
| Year | Studio album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Infinite | Web |
| 1999 | The Slim Shady LP | Aftermath/Interscope |
| 2000 | The Marshall Mathers LP | Aftermath/Interscope |
| 2002 | The Eminem Show | Shady/Aftermath/Interscope |
| 2004 | Encore | Shady/Aftermath/Interscope |
| 2009-2010 | Relapse, Recovery | Shady/Aftermath/Interscope |
| 2013 | The Marshall Mathers LP 2 | Shady/Aftermath/Interscope |
| 2017-2020 | Revival, Kamikaze, Music to Be Murdered By | Shady/Aftermath/Interscope |
| 2024 | The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) | Shady/Aftermath/Interscope |
Twelve studio albums in total. Eminem has scored 11 number one albums on the Billboard 200 and five number one singles on the Hot 100.
Early Years in Detroit
Marshall Mathers was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, and moved back and forth between Missouri and Michigan as a child before settling in Detroit at around 12. He started rapping as a teenager and made his name on the city's battle-rap circuit, releasing his debut album Infinite on the small Web label in 1996.
It sold modestly, but it led to the creation of Slim Shady, the provocative alter ego who would soon make him famous.
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Slim Shady and the Big Breakthrough
The Slim Shady EP (1997) caught the ear of Dr. Dre, who signed Eminem to Aftermath. The Slim Shady LP (1999) made him a star, and The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) went even further, eventually earning diamond certification from the RIAA in 2011. The Eminem Show (2002) followed, with around 27 million copies sold worldwide.
In 2001 he also released Devil's Night with his Detroit crew D12.
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8 Mile and the Oscar
In 2002 Eminem starred in 8 Mile, a drama loosely inspired by his early battle-rap days. Its theme, "Lose Yourself", won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 2003 ceremony, the first hip-hop song ever to take the prize, and added two more Grammys in 2004.
Recovery (2010) was the best-selling album in the world that year, and in 2022 he joined Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige for the Super Bowl LVI halftime show.
Still at the Top
The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), released in July 2024, built a whole album around retiring his famous alter ego. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 281,000 units, and in May 2025 it won Favorite Hip-Hop Album at the American Music Awards.
Later in 2025 he performed with Jack White at the Detroit Lions' Thanksgiving halftime show, and in 2026 he has been busy with guest spots and production work.
Awards and Achievements
Major awards
- Academy Award for Best Original Song, "Lose Yourself" (2003)
- 15 Grammy Awards
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (2022, first year of eligibility)
- American Music Awards: Favorite Hip-Hop Artist and Favorite Hip-Hop Album (2025)
Records
- More than 220 million records sold, the best-selling rapper of all time
- First artist with ten consecutive number one albums on the Billboard 200
- Seven RIAA diamond certifications
Away From the Spotlight
Eminem has long supported his home city through the Marshall Mathers Foundation, which has backed Detroit causes including the Downtown Boxing Gym. In 2020 he and Jack Dorsey gave a combined $1 million to help Detroit during the pandemic.
FAQs
How old is Eminem?
Eminem was born on 17 October 1972, so he is 53 and turns 54 on 17 October 2026.
What is Eminem's real name?
His real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III. Slim Shady is his alter ego.
Where was Eminem born?
He was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, and grew up mainly in Detroit, Michigan.
How many albums has Eminem released?
Eminem has released 12 studio albums, from Infinite (1996) to The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) (2024).
Did Eminem win an Oscar?
Yes. "Lose Yourself" from 8 Mile won Best Original Song at the 2003 Academy Awards.
How many Grammys has Eminem won?
Eminem has won 15 Grammy Awards.
Shop the Eminem Collection
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Tupac Shakur: 2Pac's Albums, Films and Enduring Legacy and The Notorious B.I.G.: Biggie's Albums, Hits and Legacy.
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