Five years ago today, Eminem closed a strange chapter with a sudden release. It arrived quietly, then echoed loudly across a disrupted world.
On December 18, 2020, Eminem released Music to Be Murdered By – Side B. As before, there was no warning and no buildup. Instead, listeners woke up to sixteen new tracks overnight. However, the rumours had been circulating, as the most dedicated fans were looking for clues everywhere.
This deluxe edition expanded the original album rather than replacing it. Moreover, it felt like a second thought spoken out loud. The guest list included Skylar Grey, DJ Premier, Ty Dolla $ign, and Dr. Dre.
At the time, the world was locked down and overstimulated. Naturally, Eminem leaned into excess, wordplay, and restless energy.
Visuals, Tributes, And Late Additions
Alongside the release came a video for “Gnat”, directed by Cole Bennett. Soon after, “Higher” followed with a performance-driven visual. Meanwhile, lyric videos for “Alfred’s Theme” and “Tone Deaf” filled the gaps.
Notably, “Tone Deaf” included a tribute to Chicago rapper King Von. Later still, “Killer” received a remix with Jack Harlow and Cordae. As a result, Side B stayed in conversation well into 2021.
A Historic Chart Rebound
Commercially, the response was immediate and dramatic. That week, the album jumped 1,125% in sales. It moved 94,000 units and leapt to No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
It seems almost unreal, but the jump was historic. Specifically, it rose 196 places in a single week. That move broke a 50-year Billboard record once held by Bob Dylan.
Five Years Later
In hindsight, Side B works best as a time capsule. It reflects isolation, overload, and creative compulsion. Rather than closure, it offered controlled chaos.
Five years later, it reads like a footnote that mattered. And in a year defined by disruption, that felt appropriate.
Let’s give the project another spin.
