The world of hip-hop has been dominated by two giants for decades: Jay-Z and Eminem. Both artists have had an unparalleled impact on the genre, breaking records, and pushing boundaries with their unique styles and lyrics. But when it comes to the question of who has more hits, the debate rages on. In this article, we’ll delve into the careers of these two rap legends, examining their chart performance, sales, and cultural impact to determine who comes out on top.
The Rise of Jay-Z and Eminem
Before we dive into the numbers, let’s take a brief look at the careers of these two icons.
Jay-Z: From Marcy Houses to Global Superstardom
Born Shawn Carter in Brooklyn, New York, Jay-Z rose to fame in the mid-1990s with his debut album Reasonable Doubt. Although the album didn’t achieve instant success, it laid the groundwork for his future projects. In 1998, Jay-Z released Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life, which catapulted him to stardom with the hit single “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)”. This album earned him his first Grammy nomination and marked the beginning of his reign as the King of New York.
Throughout the 2000s, Jay-Z continued to dominate the charts with albums like The Blueprint, The Blueprint2: The Gift & The Curse, and The Black Album. He took a brief hiatus, but returned in 2006 with Kingdom Come, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
Eminem: The Real Slim Shady’s Rise to Infamy
Marshall Mathers, aka Eminem, emerged on the hip-hop scene in the late 1990s with his debut album Infinite. However, it was his sophomore effort, The Slim Shady LP, that brought him mainstream success. The album’s lead single, “My Name Is”, introduced the world to Eminem’s alter ego, Slim Shady, and earned him two Grammy nominations.
Eminem’s subsequent albums, The Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show, solidified his position as a rap icon. His lyrics, often controversial and provocative, sparked heated debates, but also generated massive attention and sales.
Chart Performance: A Tale of Two Rappers
Now that we’ve established the rise of these two giants, let’s examine their chart performance to determine who has more hits.
Jay-Z’s Chart-Topping Success
Jay-Z has had an impressive 14 number one albums on the Billboard 200 chart, including:
- The Blueprint (2001)
- The Blueprint2: The Gift & The Curse (2002)
- The Black Album (2003)
- Kingdom Come (2006)
- American Gangster (2007)
- The Blueprint 3 (2009)
- Watch the Throne (2011) – collaboration with Kanye West
- Magna Carta Holy Grail (2013)
- 4:44 (2017)
- Everything Is Love (2018) – collaboration with Beyoncé
In addition to his album success, Jay-Z has had 21 top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including:
- “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” (1998)
- “Big Pimpin'” (2000)
- “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” (2001)
- “03 Bonnie & Clyde” (2002) – featuring Beyoncé
- “Crazy in Love” (2003) – featuring Beyoncé
- “99 Problems” (2004)
- “Empire State of Mind” (2009) – featuring Alicia Keys
- “Drunk in Love” (2013) – featuring Beyoncé
- “Family Feud” (2017) – featuring Beyoncé and Future
Eminem’s Chart-Dominated Career
Eminem has had 10 number one albums on the Billboard 200 chart, including:
- The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
- The Eminem Show (2002)
- Encore (2004)
- Relapse (2009)
- Recovery (2010)
- Music to Be Murdered By (2020)
- The Slim Shady LP (1999) – re-released in 2020 with bonus tracks
Eminem has had an impressive 22 top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including:
- “My Name Is” (1999)
- “The Real Slim Shady” (2000)
- “Stan” (2000)
- “Without Me” (2002)
- “Lose Yourself” (2002)
- “Like Toy Soldiers” (2004)
- “Not Afraid” (2010)
- “Love the Way You Lie” (2010) – featuring Rihanna
- “The Monster” (2013) – featuring Rihanna
- “River” (2017) – featuring Ed Sheeran
- “Godzilla” (2020) – featuring Juice WRLD
Sales and Certifications: The Numbers Game
While chart performance is important, sales and certifications provide a more comprehensive picture of an artist’s success.
Jay-Z’s Sales and Certifications
According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Jay-Z has sold over 100 million units in the United States alone. He has 14 platinum albums, including:
- Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life – 5x platinum
- The Blueprint – 2x platinum
- The Blueprint2: The Gift & The Curse – 3x platinum
- The Black Album – 3x platinum
- Kingdom Come – 2x platinum
Jay-Z has also had 34 platinum singles, including:
- “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” – 3x platinum
- “Big Pimpin'” – 2x platinum
- “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” – 2x platinum
- “Crazy in Love” – 3x platinum
- “99 Problems” – 3x platinum
- “Empire State of Mind” – 6x platinum
Eminem’s Sales and Certifications
Eminem has sold over 172 million units in the United States, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. He has 11 platinum albums, including:
- The Slim Shady LP – 10x platinum
- The Marshall Mathers LP – 10x platinum
- The Eminem Show – 10x platinum
- Encore – 4x platinum
- Relapse – 2x platinum
Eminem has also had 44 platinum singles, including:
- “My Name Is” – 3x platinum
- “The Real Slim Shady” – 3x platinum
- “Stan” – 2x platinum
- “Lose Yourself” – 6x platinum
- “Not Afraid” – 4x platinum
- “Love the Way You Lie” – 11x platinum
- “The Monster” – 4x platinum
Cultural Impact: The Intangible Factor
While sales and chart performance are quantifiable, an artist’s cultural impact is often more subjective. However, both Jay-Z and Eminem have undeniably made significant contributions to hip-hop and popular culture as a whole.
Jay-Z’s Cultural Impact
Jay-Z has been a driving force behind the evolution of hip-hop, pushing boundaries with his lyrical complexity and entrepreneurial spirit. He has:
- Founded Roc-A-Fella Records, which signed artists like Kanye West and Memphis Bleek
- Co-founded Roc Nation, a full-service entertainment company
- Launched the Made in America festival, a two-day music festival in Philadelphia
- Collaborated with artists across genres, from Linkin Park to Beyoncé
- Been named one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine
Eminem’s Cultural Impact
Eminem’s impact on hip-hop has been equally profound, with his music often sparking conversations about social issues and controversy. He has:
- Been credited with popularizing the hip-hop subgenre of horrorcore
- Inspired a generation of rappers, including Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole
- Won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Lose Yourself”
- Been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Sold out world tours and broken records with his album sales
The Verdict: Who Has More Hits?
After examining their chart performance, sales, certifications, and cultural impact, it’s clear that both Jay-Z and Eminem are hip-hop legends with impressive resumes. However, when it comes to sheer numbers, Eminem takes the lead.
While Jay-Z has had 14 number one albums and 21 top 10 singles, Eminem has had 10 number one albums and 22 top 10 singles. In terms of sales, Eminem has sold over 172 million units in the United States, compared to Jay-Z’s 100 million units. Additionally, Eminem has more platinum singles and albums, with 44 platinum singles and 11 platinum albums, compared to Jay-Z’s 34 platinum singles and 14 platinum albums.
That being said, Jay-Z’s cultural impact and entrepreneurial spirit cannot be overstated. He has been a driving force behind the evolution of hip-hop, pushing boundaries with his lyrical complexity and business acumen.
Ultimately, the question of who has more hits is subjective, and both Jay-Z and Eminem are undeniable rap icons. Their contributions to hip-hop have paved the way for future generations, and their music continues to inspire and entertain fans around the world.
Who has more platinum albums, Jay-Z or Eminem?
According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Eminem has more platinum albums than Jay-Z. Eminem has a total of 11 platinum albums, with some of his most popular albums such as “The Slim Shady LP” and “The Marshall Mathers LP” being certified diamond, which means they have sold over 10 million copies.
On the other hand, Jay-Z has a total of 7 platinum albums, with some of his most popular albums such as “The Blueprint” and “Watch the Throne” being certified multi-platinum. While both artists have an impressive number of platinum albums, Eminem takes the lead in this category.
What are some of Jay-Z’s most popular songs?
Some of Jay-Z’s most popular songs include “99 Problems,” “Empire State of Mind,” and “Big Pimpin’.” These songs have been certified multi-platinum and have topped the charts on multiple occasions. “99 Problems” is particularly notable for its catchy hook and memorable music video.
“Empire State of Mind,” featuring Alicia Keys, is another standout track from Jay-Z’s discography. The song is an ode to New York City and has become an anthem for the city. It has been certified triple platinum and has won several Grammy Awards. These songs are just a few examples of Jay-Z’s impressive catalog of hits.
What are some of Eminem’s most popular songs?
Some of Eminem’s most popular songs include “Lose Yourself,” “Not Afraid,” and “Love the Way You Lie.” These songs have been certified multi-platinum and have topped the charts on multiple occasions. “Lose Yourself” is particularly notable for its intense, motivational lyrics and has won an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
“Not Afraid” is another standout track from Eminem’s discography. The song is an inspirational anthem that features Eminem’s signature rapid-fire flow. “Love the Way You Lie” features Rihanna and has been certified diamond, meaning it has sold over 10 million copies. These songs are just a few examples of Eminem’s impressive catalog of hits.
Has Jay-Z or Eminem had more number one albums on the Billboard 200 chart?
Eminem has had more number one albums on the Billboard 200 chart, with a total of 10 number one albums. Jay-Z has had a total of 14 number one albums, with some of his most popular albums such as “The Blueprint” and “Watch the Throne” debuting at number one.
Both artists have had an impressive number of number one albums, but Jay-Z takes the lead in this category. This is a testament to their enduring popularity and ability to create music that resonates with fans.
Has Jay-Z or Eminem had more Grammy nominations?
Eminem has had more Grammy nominations, with a total of 43 nominations. Jay-Z has had a total of 34 nominations. Both artists have been recognized for their contributions to hip-hop and have won numerous awards throughout their careers.
Eminem’s 43 nominations are a testament to his impact on the music industry, and his ability to create music that is both commercially successful and critically acclaimed. Jay-Z’s 34 nominations are also impressive, and he has won numerous awards throughout his career.
What is the total number of records sold between Jay-Z and Eminem?
According to various sources, Eminem has sold over 220 million records worldwide, while Jay-Z has sold over 170 million records worldwide. This makes Eminem one of the best-selling artists of all time, and Jay-Z one of the most successful rappers of all time.
Both artists have had an enormous impact on the music industry, and their record sales are a testament to their enduring popularity. They are both considered legends in the hip-hop community, and their music continues to inspire and influence new generations of artists.
Who has more collaborations, Jay-Z or Eminem?
Jay-Z has collaborated with more artists than Eminem, with a total of over 100 collaborations. Jay-Z has worked with a wide range of artists, from hip-hop legends such as Nas and DMX, to pop stars such as Beyoncé and Rihanna.
Eminem, on the other hand, has collaborated with around 50 artists, including notable names such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Lil Wayne. While Eminem has had fewer collaborations than Jay-Z, his collaborations are often highly anticipated and well-received by fans.