Eminem's MMLP2 Is 2013's Second Biggest Debut, Beaten By The 20/20 Experience

Eminem's eagerly awaited album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2, is one of the highest ranking albums of the year when it comes to debut sales. Since its release last week, the rapper's new album has been catapulted straight to number one in the charts, reports Billboard.

Eminem Has Righteously Fought Back His 'Rap God' Crown.

Released on the 5th November, MMLP2 has seen sizeable sales of 792,000 copies, exceeding speculative forecasts, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Eminem's impressive return has still fallen shy of Justin Timberlake's March effort, The 20/20 Experience Part 1 with its astonishing 968,000 sales. However, Eminem knocked previous second place holder Drake and his Nothing Was The Same from its lofty perch of 658,000 sales.

Score! Eminem Rakes It In After Fans Go Wild For 'MMLP2.'

Promotional Genius Spurred MMLP2's Success

Aside from the pure excitement of Slim Shady's return, MMLP2's success could be attributed to the high profile promotional campaign launch months before the album's released to really shake up some excitement within his fanbase. There was the Dr Dre Beats advert launched at the end of August featuring a tantalising snapshot of lead single 'Berzerk' followed by a brand new website filled with teaser videos and promo shots.

Impressive Album Sales, MTV Awards & TV Appearances: A Good Year For Slim.

Not to mention the rhyme he dropped on Tony Touch's album, The Piecemaker 3: Return of the 50 MCs as well as the news that hip hop alchemists Dr Dre and Rick Rubin were producing his new album. All in all, it was a perfect storm that seems to have helped frame what could be one of the year's most memorable releases and the biggest hip hop record.

Eminem Received Criticism After Singing Along To His Own Track On 'SNL.'

Slim Shady Lords It Up At The MTV Emas

Having practically lain dormant in the media eye since 2010's Recovery, Eminem has also been receiving a lion's share of television time lately, having performed new tracks on SNL and at the MTV Europe Music Awards. What about the miming rumours though?

Eminem Performed Alongside Miley Cyrus & Icona Pop At The MTV EMAs.

At the MTV EMAs, Eminem was flanked by artists who have risen to precedence in the fast and fickle world of pop, such as Miley Cyrus and Icona Pop, since Slim last released an album. Nevertheless, he proved he was still a ruling authority on the music scene as he delivered new songs with the same blisteringly fast spitting fury as that which helped him make a name for himself.

He also won big at the awards, snapping up the Best Hip Hop prize as well as the prestigious the Global Icon trophy, making the 41 year-old the most awarded artist at MTV with 15 EMAs.

Eminem Has Become The Most Awarded Artist At The EMAs With 15 Gongs.

All in all, apart from his childhood home burning down, it's pretty safe to say that Eminem has had an awesome year.