Encore (Eminem album)

Encore
Studio album by Eminem
Released	November 12, 2004
Recorded	June 2002—August 2004
Studio	54 Sound (Ferndale, Michigan) Trans Continental (Orlando, Florida)
Genre	Hip-hop
Length	76:53 89:00 (deluxe edition)
Label	Aftermath Shady Interscope WEB Entertainment
Producer	Dr. Dre Eminem Luis Resto Mike Elizondo Mark Batson
Eminem chronology
The Eminem Show (2002) Encore (2004) Curtain Call: The Hits (2005)
Alternative cover
Collector's Edition cover art
Singles from Encore
"Just Lose It" Released: September 27, 2004[1] "Mosh" Released: October 20, 2004 "Encore" Released: November 9, 2004 "Like Toy Soldiers" Released: March 15, 2005[2] "Mockingbird" Released: April 25, 2005 "Ass Like That" Released: June 7, 2005

Encore is the fifth studio album by American rapper Eminem, released on November 12, 2004, through Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records. As reflected in its title, cover art, and certain lyrics, the album was originally set to be Eminem's final studio album. Its lyrical themes include Eminem's criticism of the 43rd U.S. president, George W. Bush, parodies of singer Michael Jackson and actor Christopher Reeve, and Eminem's feud with fellow rappers Benzino and Ja Rule. Overall, the album features more comedic themes and lyrics than Eminem's previous albums.^[3]

Encore was met with mixed to positive reviews, with many critics deeming it inferior to its predecessors. Most of the album's middle portion was heavily criticized, though "Like Toy Soldiers" and "Mockingbird" were particularly highly praised and have retrospectively been ranked as some of Eminem's best songs. These two songs were released along with four other singles: "Just Lose It", "Mosh", "Encore", and "Ass Like That". The album has sold 11 million copies worldwide and was certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on December 17, 2004.

In retrospect, Eminem has stated that he believes Encore to be one of his worst albums, which he attributed to several songs intended to be part of the album being leaked prior to its official release, requiring him to hastily write and record new ones. These leaked songs were compiled into a bootleg album titled Straight from the Lab. Eminem later revealed that he was also struggling with drug addiction during much of Encore's recording.

Encore was nominated for the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, though it lost to Kanye West's Late Registration, making it Eminem's first studio album since Infinite not to win the Grammy Award in that category. It would also be Eminem's last studio album until the release of Relapse in 2009.