First of all, I really admire Eminem and all that he's accomplished with his career. I listen to his songs on the radio and feel he's really being forthcoming and honest about his life and his feelings/emotions. He doesn't care (and he shouldn't) if it offends people, nor is he afraid to say what is really on his mind.

But when we're all old and our grandkids look in the music books and look up Eminem's hits, they'll laugh at us. Here's why: his first few hits were novelty tunes.

1999 - My Name Is (#37)
2000 - The Real Slim Shady (#4)
2002 - Without Me (#2)

This set was broken by Cleanin' Out My Closet (#4), which can't be considered "novelty." Naturally, we know that each album since his debut had at least one "light" song, but the rest of the material is quite deep and controversal. But the kids in the future won't really know that without listening to the albums.

Personally, I can't believe that Eminem established a street credibility based on the singles released - if it weren't for word-of-mouth based on the hard-cores who saw his stage act, I don't think he'd have made it as far as he has. IMO.

I would love to comment on this..but I have a feeling my comments would deterioriate into territory..

But, it does seem you're relying on the SINGLES chart too much..