This week, Eminem surprised fans at a London pop-up promote his new album, The Death of Slim Shady, in an extremely uncommon visit.
The mysterious Detroit rapper made an appearance on Wednesday, July 17, the opening day of the two-day event, and cheerfully posed for photos and signed autographs for the numerous fans who were in attendance from across the pond.
The experience, which was created in partnership with Complex, included unique build-outs including an open casket overflowing with roses in addition to an exclusive capsule collection of t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats as well as a vinyl collection with an Em theme.
The Death of Slim Shady pop-up was held in Los Angeles for two days before it traveled to London, though Em was unable to attend.
Based on first-week sales estimates, Eminem’s new album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) is expected to have a significant impact on the Billboard charts.
According to a Monday, July 15, HITS Daily Double estimate, the project is anticipated to sell between 270,000 and 290,000 album-equivalent units during its first week of sales.
Em would become the first artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200, overtaking Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, which had dominated the chart for 12 weeks in a row.
In addition, it would be the legendary Detroit rapper’s eleventh No. 1 album, matching him with Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, and Kanye West. The Beatles (19), JAY-Z (also 14), Drake (13), and Swift (14), are the only artists with more.
Eminem’s 2000 album The Marshall Mathers LP started with an astounding 1.78 million units, thus the 270–290K ballpark is at the lower end of the spectrum. However, The Death of Slim Shady might still outsell more recent releases like Revival (267,000) and Music to be Murdered By (279,000).
It should come as no surprise that controversy has surrounded the record since its debut last Friday. Conservative pundit Candace Owens blasted Eminem earlier this week for criticizing her on the Dr. Dre-produced song “Lucifer.”
In a lengthy tirade on her YouTube channel, Owens addressed Eminem and claimed that he was a secret gay man.
“Let me start by saying that Eminem is unquestionably gay. She made reference to his 2002 smash song, saying, “It’s very sad that Eminem cleaned out his closet but never came out of his closet.”
In The Death of Slim Shady, Eminem also attacked Ja Rule, Lizzo, and “corny white rappers,” alleging that Diddy had a history of rape and violent attacks on Cassie.
