KING OF LONGEVITY — Eminem just made history as the first artist ever to have songs from four different decades surpass 1 BILLION Spotify streams each.
From “Lose Yourself” (2002) to “Godzilla” (2020), the rap icon proves why two generations later, he’s still untouchable. Fans call it “the ultimate revenge — success that never fades.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, KING OF LONGEVITY: Eminem Becomes the First Artist in History to Have a Song Released in Four Different Decades Earn +1 Billion Streams on Spotify
In the ever-evolving landscape of music streaming, where trends flicker like fireflies and artists rise and fall with the whims of algorithms and playlists, one name stands eternal: Eminem. On October 19, 2025, the Detroit-born rap icon etched yet another indelible mark into the annals of music history. According to Spotify data and fan-fueled buzz across social media, Eminem has become the first artist—across any genre—to boast songs from four different decades (the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s) that have each surpassed 1 billion streams on the platform. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a testament to the “Rap God”‘s unparalleled staying power, a crown of longevity that no one else wears.
Dubbed the “King of Longevity” by ecstatic fans on X (formerly Twitter), Eminem’s milestone arrives amid a career spanning over three decades, from his underground mixtapes in the late ’90s to his chart-topping releases in the streaming era. As one viral post proclaimed, “Eminem becomes the first artist in any genre to have a song released in four different decades to earn 1 BILLION streams and people tryna tell us that he has ruined his legacy and his music isn’t ageing well 😂😂.” The laughter rings true. At 52 years old, Marshall Mathers III—Eminem’s real name—continues to defy the expiration dates slapped on most hip-hop careers. While contemporaries like Jay-Z and Nas have cemented their legacies through business empires and sporadic comebacks, Eminem’s streams tell a story of relentless relevance, raw artistry, and a connection with generations that transcends time.
To understand this feat, let’s rewind to Eminem’s origins. Born in 1972 in St. Joseph, Missouri, and raised in the gritty streets of Detroit, Eminem (born Marshall Bruce Mathers III) emerged from battle rap cyphers and trailer-park struggles. His breakthrough came in 1999 with The Slim Shady LP, a Dr. Dre-produced opus that introduced the world to his alter ego: a chainsaw-wielding, politically incorrect provocateur who spat truths about addiction, fame, and family with surgical precision. Tracks like “My Name Is” and “Guilty Conscience” didn’t just top charts; they shattered barriers for white rappers in a Black-dominated genre. By 1999’s end, Eminem was a cultural phenomenon, selling millions and igniting debates on everything from misogyny in lyrics to the commercialization of rap.
Fast-forward to the 2000s, and Eminem’s dominance was unchallenged. The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) and The Eminem Show (2002) are twin towers of hip-hop canon, blending confessional storytelling with pop-savvy hooks. “The Real Slim Shady,” released in 2000, became his first billion-stream juggernaut on Spotify, clocking 1.94 billion plays as of 2025. Its satirical jab at celebrity culture—”Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?”—resonates eternally, fueled by TikTok dances and ironic memes. This decade also birthed “Lose Yourself,” the 2002 Oscar-winning anthem from the 8 Mile soundtrack. With its motivational growl—”You better lose yourself in the music, the moment”—it has amassed 2.33 billion streams, a motivational bible for underdogs worldwide. “‘Till I Collapse” (2002), featuring Nate Dogg, hit 2.06 billion in 2025, its booming beat a staple in gym playlists and highlight reels. These songs didn’t just sell records; they defined an era, earning Eminem 15 Grammy Awards and diamond certifications.
The 2010s tested Eminem’s evolution. Battling prescription pill addiction and personal demons, he staged a phoenix-like recovery with Recovery (2010), featuring the Rihanna duet “Love the Way You Lie” (1.65 billion streams). By mid-decade, Revival (2017) and Kamikaze (2018) polarized fans with political fire (“The Storm”) and self-reflective jabs. Yet, “Rap God” (2013) from The Marshall Mathers LP 2—a Guinness World Record holder for most words in a single (1,560)—surged to 1 billion streams in 2023, thanks to its blistering 97 words in 15 seconds. “Godzilla” (2020, technically straddling decades but released in the 2020s) with the late Juice WRLD, hit 1.54 billion by 2023, its frenetic flow a nod to his technical prowess. “Mockingbird” (2004, but peaking in the 2010s via TikTok virality) crossed 1 billion in 2023, its tender ode to daughter Hailie Jade amplified by 1.5 billion #Mockingbird views on the app. “The Monster” (2013) joined the club in 2024, sealing the 2010s’ billion-stream trifecta.
Now, the 2020s: Eminem’s latest chapter proves he’s no relic. Music to Be Murdered By (2020) surpassed 4 billion album streams, with “Godzilla” leading the charge. But the crown jewel? A track from this decade pushing him into uncharted territory. While specifics on the exact 2020s song vary in reports—speculation points to a surging “Houdini” (2024) from The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), which debuted with 7.8 million first-day streams and has climbed toward the billion mark amid remix hype— the milestone confirms four-decade representation. Eminem’s total Spotify streams as lead artist exceed 40 billion, with 13 songs in the Billions Club, edging out Drake for the most among rappers. He’s the only pre-streaming era artist with albums over 1 billion streams across four decades.
What makes this “King of Longevity” tick? Eminem’s secret sauce is versatility: venomous disses, heartfelt ballads, and labyrinthine wordplay that reward rewinds. His 2024 album The Death of Slim Shady—a meta-murder of his alter ego—debuted at No. 1, proving he can satirize his own controversies while dropping bars that Gen Z dissects on Reddit. Collaborations keep him fresh: Rihanna, Ed Sheeran, even 50 Cent reunions. But it’s the cultural osmosis—songs sampled in memes, motivational speeches, and therapy sessions—that sustains streams. As one X user noted, echoing a 2021 post, “Eminem is the first artist to have an album released in FOUR different decades hit one billion streams on Spotify. Legend.”
Critics have long accused Eminem of punching down or chasing relevance, yet this milestone silences doubters. In a 2025 Reddit thread ranking his albums by streams, fans marveled at The Eminem Show‘s 8.5 billion total, dwarfing newer releases—but even The Death of Slim Shady hit 1.3 billion in months. Globally, he’s Spotify’s 12th most-streamed artist, with 80.8 million followers and daily gains of 22,000. Compare that to peers: Drake has 12 billion-club songs, but none span four decades like Em’s.
This achievement ripples beyond numbers. It validates hip-hop’s maturation into a legacy art form, where battle-tested OGs like Eminem mentor the new guard—think Jack Harlow shoutouts or MGK feuds turned respect. It also highlights Spotify’s role in democratizing access: pre-streaming hits like “Stan” (nearing 1 billion) find new life via algorithms. For Eminem, it’s personal vindication. From trailer-park kid to Rock and Roll Hall of Famer (2022), he’s outlasted scandals, sobriety battles, and industry shifts.
As X erupts with memes—”The Rap God does it again! From The Real Slim Shady to Godzilla—his legacy stays unmatched”—one can’t help but salute. Eminem isn’t just surviving; he’s thriving, proving rap’s immortals don’t fade—they accumulate billions. Ladies and gentlemen, raise a glass to the King of Longevity. In a genre built on hustle, his reign is eternal.
