As Shade 45 celebrated its 20th anniversary, Eminem took a moment to reflect on the album he was promoting when the station launched: “Encore”.

During Shade 45’s milestone broadcast, Eminem revisited his 2004 album “Encore”, which also turned 20 this October. The album, a mix of introspection and playful tracks, sparked candid reflections from the rapper about its creation, leaked songs, and his personal struggles at the time.

The conversation went this way by referencing one of the album’s most infamous tracks:

Twenty years of “Rainman”. I don’t hate that song. There are some songs on there that I do hate, but there are some songs on there that I don’t hate.

When asked about his favourite tracks from the project, Eminem was quick to answer:

“Yellow Brick Road”, “Toy Soldiers”… That album actually would’ve been right there with “The Eminem Show” if we hadn’t had those leaks. Because if “Bully” had been on there — “Bully”, the “Can I Bitch” song, “We As Americans”, “Love You More” — I had seven songs that leaked. It was half the album. I had to go back.

He explained how the leaks impacted the final product:

If the leaks hadn’t happened, it would have been the best songs from “Encore”. It would have definitely been a more solid album.

Despite the setbacks, Eminem was clear that he still appreciates the body of work — though not without some reservations:

I don’t hate that album, by the way. I don’t hate it. I just hate when I think back to that time where I was in life. I hated what I was doing — drugs — and where I was at personally. Going back to that time, I cringe when I think about that shit. But I don’t hate the actual body of work.

Eminem admitted there were some missteps:

There are a couple of songs that were probably a little too goofy; I should have left off. But for the most part, I’m still happy with that album. I don’t think it matched the calibre of “The Eminem Show”, but there were still some songs I really did put a lot into.

As Shade 45 and “Encore” both hit the 20-year mark, Eminem’s reflections were a reminder of the highs and lows of a career spent in the spotlight — and how even imperfect projects can hold a special place in an artist’s journey.

For fans, this rare moment of reflection offered a glimpse into the creative and personal struggles that shaped one of Eminem’s most complex albums. Which, against all odds, became one of the fans’ favourites.