Eminem has now reached a new milestone after the 8 Mile soundtrack received its sixth platinum certification. The classic biopic starring the rap icon celebrates its 20th anniversary this year as it secures a new generation of fans.
According to the official website of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), 8 Mile reached the 6x platinum certification on November 17th, just a few weeks after the film’s official anniversary, which was celebrated on October 29th.
To celebrate the 20-year anniversary, Eminem released a deluxe version of the 2002 compilation on October 28th. The 8 Mile Expanded Edition features all 12 of the original hits featured on the soundtrack, alongside instrumentals to each for any aspiring rappers to sing along or just enjoy the beat.
Omitted from the reissue was Mobb Deep’s ‘Shook Ones’ instrumental, which was an integral part of the 8 Mile film, appearing on a number of occasions throughout. Havoc recently told HipHopDX that he was “taken aback” when he first saw the iconic scene of Eminem’s character freestyling over the classic beat.
“I mean, I was really taken aback because I didn’t even know if Eminem was a fan,” Havoc said on the BET Hip Hop Awards red carpet. “So to hear that, I found out he was a fan, and then the cha-ching sound went off in my head. It bought this Fendi sweater.”
Elsewhere, Eminem was welcomed to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the beginning of November.
He was inducted by fellow rapper and longtime collaborator Dr. Dre, and the celebratory set kicked off with a rendition of his 1999 hit ‘My Name Is’, followed by ‘Rap God’ and ‘Sing for the Moment’. For the latter, which samples the Aerosmith classic ‘Dream On’, Eminem was joined by Aerosmith vocalist Steven Tyler, who performed the sampled chorus, live. Ed Sheeran then joined the rapper for a live rendition of ‘Stan’. The set continued with Eminem’s ‘Forever’ and ‘Not Afraid’.
Returning to the stage for his acceptance speech, he told the audience that he was “not supposed to be here tonight.”
“One, I’m a rapper; two, I almost died from an overdose; and three, I really had to fight my way through,” he explained. “I’m a high school drop-out with a Hip Hop education.”