© Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Eminem has snatched up yet another impressive YouTube achievement just ahead of the release of his highly anticipated new album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce). The gritty anthem “When I’m Gone,” released back in 2005, has now surpassed 1 billion views on the video streaming platform.
The moving track served as the lead single from Em’s career-spanning hits collection Curtain Call and dealt with the fracturing of his family life at the time. With raw, personal lyrics, Slim laid himself bare over a melancholic Luis Resto-produced beat. Both a commercial and critical success, “When I’m Gone” peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Directed by Anthony Mandler, the sentimental music video sees Em open up further about his struggles. Intercut with scenes of him performing live, it depicts a dramatization of AA meetings starring both the rap icon and boxer Tarick Salmaci. Actresses filled in for Em’s daughter Hailie and ex-wife Kim in what became one of his most iconic visuals. In fact, its closing live shot was even used as the album artwork for Curtain Call.
Curtain Call went diamond and ruled the Billboard 200 upon its December 2005 arrival. Featuring unreleased tracks like “Fack” and the late Nate Dogg on “Shake That,” it served as the perfect coda to Em’s era-defining early catalogue.
