Eminem - Encore Today

Released on November 12, 2004, Encore (2004) serves as a fascinating, chaotic finale to Eminem's legendary early-2000s run. Originally intended to be his final studio album, its themes of bowing out and saying goodbye are woven into the artwork and the climactic title track. The Context: A Career at its Peak

Legacy: A Cathartic Masterpiece

• Significance: It is a plea for peace in hip-hop. He publicly acknowledges that the beef escalated to a point where people were getting hurt (referencing the shooting of his friend Proof). It remains one of the most mature songs in his discography.

Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses

The final blow is the notorious "Just Lose It," a limp parody of Michael Jackson that felt dated the week it dropped. And then... the leaked original ending. Fans know that "We As Americans" and "Love You More" were bumped to a bonus disc, replaced by the goofy "Ass Like That" and "One Shot 2 Shot." The original Encore —featuring the furious, politically charged "We As Americans"—might have been a leaner, meaner beast. Instead, we got the bloated, prescription-strength version. eminem - encore