Eminem‘s 2005 greatest hits compilation, Curtain Call: The Hits, has reached a significant milestone in music history. As of the latest Billboard 200 chart, the album has officially logged 700 weeks on the chart, making it the first hip-hop album to achieve this feat. This marks another accomplishment for the Detroit rapper, who has remained one of the most influential and successful artists in the genre for over two decades.
The album’s enduring presence on the Billboard 200 is a testament to the lasting impact of Eminem’s body of work. Curtain Call is currently positioned at No. 198 on the chart, with 8,000 equivalent album units earned between August 30 and September 5, according to Billboard. The compilation includes some of Eminem’s most well-known tracks, including “Lose Yourself,” “Stan,” and “The Real Slim Shady,” songs that have defined his career and helped him reach mainstream success.
This achievement places Curtain Call among an elite group of albums with long-standing success on the Billboard 200. The compilation joins the ranks of albums from artists like Pink Floyd, Metallica, Journey, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Bob Marley, which have also remained on the chart for extended periods. Eminem’s album now stands alongside these classics as the sixth album overall to reach the 700-week mark.
In the hip-hop genre, no other album has come close to matching this longevity. Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city, which currently sits at 619 weeks on the Billboard 200, and Drake’s Take Care, with 601 weeks, are the closest competitors. However, Curtain Call has proven to be a unique outlier, maintaining a consistent presence on the charts nearly two decades after its release.
Eminem’s influence on the music industry is undeniable. Since his debut in the late 1990s, he has consistently pushed boundaries and broken records, both in sales and cultural impact. Curtain Call: The Hits was released during a pivotal time in his career, serving as a retrospective of his earlier successes while also solidifying his place as one of hip-hop’s most enduring figures. The album covers a wide range of his work, from the provocative humor of “Without Me” to the introspective storytelling of “Mockingbird,” giving listeners a full picture of his versatility as an artist.
The news of Curtain Call’s record-breaking run comes shortly after Eminem announced an extended edition of his latest album, The Death of Slim Shady. Titled The Mourner’s Edition, the new release will include additional material and is set to drop on September 13. This new project shows that while Eminem’s legacy is already well-established, he continues to push his creative boundaries and remain relevant in today’s music landscape.
Eminem’s ability to remain a dominant force in hip-hop, despite the changing trends in music, underscores his influence not just as a rapper, but as a cultural figure whose work transcends generations. With Curtain Call: The Hits reaching 700 weeks on the Billboard 200, his legacy only grows stronger.
