Eminem

Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III on October 17, 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri, is one of the best-selling and most influential rappers in the history of music. Raised in poverty in Detroit, Michigan, he faced a turbulent childhood marked by constant moves and a difficult relationship with his mother. He began rapping as a teenager and spent years honing his skills in Detroit’s underground hip-hop scene before catching the attention of Dr. Dre, who signed him to Aftermath Entertainment in 1998.

His major-label debut “The Slim Shady LP” (1999) was a commercial and critical sensation, winning the Grammy for Best Rap Album. He followed it with “The Marshall Mathers LP” (2000), which sold over 1.76 million copies in its first week in the United States alone and became one of the fastest-selling albums in history. The album contained hits like “The Real Slim Shady” and “Stan,” the latter of which became so culturally significant that the word “stan” entered the dictionary. “The Eminem Show” (2002) continued his dominance, and he cemented his status as a cultural icon.

Eminem has also found success beyond music. His semi-autobiographical film “8 Mile” (2002) was a box office hit, and its theme song “Lose Yourself” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, making him the first hip-hop artist to win an Oscar. He founded Shady Records, which has launched the careers of artists like 50 Cent and D12. His publishing catalog and back catalog royalties remain extremely valuable as his classic albums continue to stream heavily.

With over 220 million records sold worldwide, Eminem is the best-selling rapper in history and one of the best-selling music artists overall. He has won 15 Grammy Awards and holds multiple Guinness World Records for his rapid-fire lyrical delivery. His net worth of approximately $250 million in 2026 reflects decades of album sales, touring revenue, record label profits, and his enduring cultural relevance as hip-hop’s most commercially successful artist.