This week, “Lucky You” featuring Joyner Lucas officially passed 200 million views on YouTube, marking another long-term milestone for the Detroit icon.
Released in September 2018 and directed by James Larese, the video arrived at the height of Eminem’s Kamikaze era. Back then, it felt urgent, confrontational, and sharply tuned to the moment. Seven years later, it is still finding new viewers.
A Fast Start
When “Lucky You” premiered on September 13, 2018, it exploded immediately. Within its first day, the video pulled in more than 9.5 million views. Meanwhile, it peaked at No. 15 on the YouTube Music Chart and stayed there for four weeks.
Since then, the pace has changed, but the momentum never disappeared. Instead, the video settled into steady rotation, driven by repeat listens and new audiences. As a result, “Lucky You” has now become Eminem’s 38th video to cross the 200-million mark.
A Turning Point For Joyner Lucas
For Joyner Lucas, the video also carries a different kind of weight. A few years after its release, he spoke about filming “Lucky You” in an interview on My Expert Opinion with Math Hoffa.
According to Lucas, his then-label, Atlantic Records, refused to cover the cost of a first-class flight to Detroit for the shoot. This came despite the song reaching the top five on the Billboard charts. More importantly, the collaboration was already proving massive.
“They told me no”, Lucas said, recalling the moment. Not a luxury request, he stressed, just a ticket to Detroit.
Building the Connection Himself
Crucially, Lucas explained that the collaboration did not come from label strategy. Instead, he built relationships directly with Royce 5’9 and Eminem on his own. The label, he said, played no role in making the record happen.
At the time, Lucas was still feeling financial pressure. He had taken a $100,000 advance in 2016 and used it to help his mother retire. By 2018, resources were tight, and the refusal felt symbolic.
That moment became a breaking point. Shortly after, Lucas decided to leave Atlantic Records altogether.
Lucky Us
Today, those behind-the-scenes frustrations sit quietly beneath the surface. What remains is a song that continues to speak clearly.
“Lucky You” blends precision rapping with a sharp critique of industry cycles. Meanwhile, its themes have aged without losing relevance. As a result, the video continues to circulate long after its initial chart run.
Seven years on, the song and the video speak to the fans around the world. Eminem’s work does not fade quickly, even when trends move on.
Watch the video below:
