EMINEM DENIED FIRST NO. 1 SINGLE IN OVER A DECADE BY POST MALONE
Eminem has narrowly missed out on landing his first Billboard Hot 100 number one in over a decade thanks to the continued chart dominance of Post Malone and Morgan Wallen’s “I Had Some Help.”
Em’s latest single “Houdini” has been a commercial success since its release a little over a week ago, with the whimsical track racing up charts all around the globe.
It debuted at number two on this week’s Hot 100, according to Billboard, becoming the Detroit rapper’s highest charting single since his Rihanna collaboration “The Monster” hit the top spot in 2013.
“Houdini”’s first-week streams totalled just shy of 50 million, while it also notched up four million radio impressions as the nostalgic track continues to perform well with audiences.
Eminem performed the track for the first time during a surprise appearance at Live From Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central last week.
His four-song set also featured “Not Afraid,” as well as a version of “Sing for the Moment” assisted by country singer Jelly Roll and deep cut “Welcome 2 Detroit” with local legend Trick Trick.
Across the pond, “Houdini” topped the UK Singles Chart, marking Em’s first solo number one in the country since 2005’s “Like Toy Soldiers.”
It has also topped the charts in Canada, Australia, Switzerland and Norway.
The video for “Houdini” featured a callback to his 2002 classic “Without Me,” with Eminem once again donning his Rap Boy superhero costume to save the world from his alter ego Slim Shady.
Directed by longtime collaborator Rich Lee, the clip features cameos from those within Em’s inner circle such as Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Royce Da 5’9″, The Alchemist, manager Paul Rosenberg and Interscope boss Jimmy Iovine.
The rap legend’s three children also make a brief appearance in the video, along with comedians Pete Davidson and Shane Gillis.
“Houdini” is the first single from Eminem’s upcoming 12th album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), which is due for release this summer though no concrete date has been announced.
Dr. Dre has confirmed that he has produced songs for the album.