Encore (Eminem album)

Encore is the fifth studio album by the American rapper Eminem, released on November 12, 2004, through Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, WEB Entertainment, and Interscope Records. As reflected in its title, cover art, and certain lyrics, the album was originally set to be Eminem's final studio album. Its lyrical themes include Eminem's criticism of then-U.S. president George W. Bush, parodies of singer Michael Jackson and actor Christopher Reeve, and Eminem's feud with fellow rappers Benzino and Ja Rule. Overall, the album features more comedic themes and lyrics than Eminem's previous albums.

Encore topped the US Billboard 200, selling 710,000 copies, and was certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) just a month after its release. By August of the following year, it had reached sales of 11 million copies worldwide. Encore was met with mixed-to-positive reviews, with many critics deeming it inferior to its three predecessors. Most of the album's middle portion was heavily criticized, though "Like Toy Soldiers" and "Mockingbird" were particularly highly praised and have retrospectively been ranked as some of Eminem's best songs. These two songs were released along with three other singles: "Just Lose It", "Encore", and "Ass Like That". The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, but lost.

In retrospect, Eminem has stated that he believes Encore to be one of his worst albums, which he attributed to several songs intended to be part of the album being leaked prior to its official release, requiring him to hastily write and record new ones. These leaked songs were compiled into a bootleg album titled Straight from the Lab. Eminem later revealed that he was also struggling with drug addiction during much of Encore's recording. It would also be Eminem's last studio album until the release of Relapse in 2009.