Eminem’s fourth studio album, 2004’s Encore, was his first major disappointment. Padded with immature (and amateurish) joke songs — far more so than his previous releases, which admittedly had their share — and lacking in memorable beats and choruses, the record was a setback for a career that seemed unstoppable.

Eminem later revealed that Encore was recorded shortly after he became addicted to prescription medication and he suggests that the album “doesn’t count” because he was rapping under the influence. RUI.

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