The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) is the twelfth studio album by American rapper Eminem, released on July 12, 2024, through Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. The album represents a significant moment in Eminem’s career, exploring a concept that delves into the persona of Slim Shady, Eminem’s infamous alter ego. It is produced by Eminem alongside a team of notable producers including Dem Jointz, Fredwreck, Cubeatz, Cole Bennett, DJ Premier, Dr. Dre, and Luis Resto, the album features a diverse lineup of collaborations.
The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) is characterized by its ambitious concept and production. The album includes guest appearances from artists such as White Gold, Sly Pyper, Bizarre, JID, Ez Mil, Skylar Grey, Big Sean, Moe Men-E, BabyTron, and Jelly Roll. The collaborative nature of the album highlights Eminem’s continued relevance and ability to blend his distinctive style with the talents of other prominent artists.
The album’s promotional campaign was marked by several intriguing and cryptic marketing strategies. On March 19, 2024, Dr. Dre hinted at the upcoming album during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, creating anticipation among fans. Following this, Eminem released a teaser video during the 2024 NFL draft, which featured a dramatic, mock crime show-style investigation questioning the fate of Slim Shady. This teaser, which included references to Eminem’s past hits, set the stage for the album’s thematic exploration of the Slim Shady persona.
Furthering the promotional efforts, a fake obituary for Slim Shady appeared in the May 13 issue of the Detroit Free Press, serving as an imaginative marketing ploy that portrayed Slim Shady’s demise as part of the album’s narrative. The obituary featured an image of Eminem in his Slim Shady persona, accompanied by a description of the character’s complex and tumultuous existence.
The album’s rollout included several singles that generated substantial buzz. The lead single, “Houdini,” was released on May 31, 2024, accompanied by a music video that featured a collaboration with magician David Blaine. The track’s success was bolstered by its commercial performance, reaching number one in twelve countries and on the Global 200 chart. Following this, the second single, “Tobey,” was released on July 2, 2024, and featured fellow rappers Big Sean and BabyTron. The song’s black-and-white teaser and music video contributed to its strong debut, though it faced a slight delay due to production issues.
On July 19, 2024, the album’s third single, “Somebody Save Me,” featuring Jelly Roll, was released. This track continued to build on the album’s momentum, further cementing its place in the charts.
Upon its release, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, accumulating 281,000 album equivalent units, which included 114,000 downloads and 164,500 streaming-equivalent units. This achievement marked Eminem’s 11th album to debut at the top of the chart, tying him with Kanye West for the most number-one albums. The album also topped charts in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and several other countries, making it the highest-selling rap album of 2024 to date.
Critically, the album received mixed reviews. While the production was widely praised, some critics felt Eminem’s performances were uneven. Nevertheless, many reviewers and fans regarded The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) as his strongest work since The Marshall Mathers LP 2, reflecting Eminem’s enduring influence and innovative approach to hip-hop.