- Kendrick Lamar Bio - February 14, 2023
- Eminem Bio - January 29, 2023
- Treach Bio - December 15, 2022
When Dr. Dre inducted Eminem into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on November 5, 2022, he emphasized one particular accomplishment of his world-renowned protégé.
“Best-selling hip hop artist ever,” Dre proudly proclaimed. “Let me repeat that. The best-selling hip hop artist ever.”
Eminem’s staggering success, of course, transcended the confines of hip hop. The Rap God’s greatness translated into Hollywood opportunities, Super Bowl halftime performances, and even a venture in the food industry.
And then, of course, there’s the merchandise. Lots and lots of it.
One awesome way to get a piece of Shady in your life is to own a Funko Pop! figure that looks just like him. That way, you’d never have to go a day without seeing Eminem staring back at you from that bedroom shelf, right?
Here’s the best part: you get to go on a thrilling quest as you hunt down one Funko Pop! figure after another. Why? Because Eminem is as colorful a character as you can find in the rap game, and there’s no way in hell that only one or two figures can sum up his myriad of personas.
Ready to lose yourself in all this merch? Read on!
Bottom Line Up Front
Most of the Funko Pops! on this list are inspired by the albums of Eminem’s discography. By looking at the subtle and not-so-subtle details on each Funko Pop!, you can trace the personal and professional narrative of the rapper. You can avail of these Funko Pops! on two sites: Chris James Pop Shop and Etsy.
Before we Get Started…
1. As of November 2022, there are no official Eminem figures available at Funko. The only time that an official Funko Pop! bore Eminem’s likeness was when the B-Rabbit figure was released in 2021. (Strictly speaking, this figure doesn’t even represent Marshall Mathers himself, but his battle rapper persona from the 2002 film 8 Mile.)
Perhaps Funko is a bit apprehensive about giving a platform to someone with a shady past? And I mean that quite literally: Eminem’s Slim Shady alter ego was the type of character that certain manufacturers wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole.
Still, maybe Funko will change their minds and release an official Eminem line in the near future. Fingers crossed!
2. With that said, I need to give credit where credit is due. Huge shout-out to Chris James Pop Shop for crafting custom-made hip hop Funko Pops!
Just about every review I’ve seen on Etsy is a glowing appraisal of this shop’s brilliantly executed Eminem figures. CJ Pop Shop delivers made-to-order figures within five to eight weeks, and custom orders in 10 weeks.
In a stroke of simple genius, the Pop Shop has designed one Funko Pop! for each of Eminem’s albums since 1999. Why not? With each full-length project that he released under Dre’s Aftermath, Em created a wacky world of characters that would eventually be translated into irresistible toys.
The Slim Shady LP Funko Pop
Funky Features
That blonde hair is unmistakable and indispensable. Slim Shady’s rocking the golden locks here, along with other identifying features. I mean that quite literally: note the simple white shirt sporting the Slim Shady name tag, along with the tape on his mouth to indicate how much (or, perhaps, how little) he cares about his critics.
The blue denim works well with the top, though I do have to point out that Shady’s affinity for earrings could have made for a great finishing touch on this figure. (Here’s a detail that wasn’t overlooked though: that gesture made with the right hand is meant with all due disrespect.)
A Story to Tell
The shirt says it all. This Funko Pop! portrays the alter ego that elevated Eminem from an underground favorite to a global icon. With the mainstream introduction of the Slim Shady persona, Em put the hip hop community on notice and all the censors on full alert.
Ask the parents of any millennial about the Slim Shady craze circa 1999, and they’ll probably flinch as they recall how they rushed to cover their children’s ears as Eminem’s unhinged lyrics filled the airwaves.
Where Do I Purchase this?
For all the Chris James Pop Shop products here, you have two platforms to choose from: the actual CJ Pop Shop website and the Etsy distribution channel.
What’s the difference? The CJ Pop Shop website generally offers the Funko Pop! at a lower rate, while Etsy allows you to spread out your payment in four installments. Thus, you can go with the option that’s more convenient for you.
When this Toy Arrives, Play this Song
I’m fully aware that “My Name Is” has multiple versions, but no matter what variation came on MTV, there was no escaping the colorful language of Slim Shady.
From his vengeful plot against his former English teacher to his Spice Girls-related dilemma, Eminem left nothing to the imagination of his rapidly growing audience. (And boy, did that audience grow!)
The Marshall Mathers LP Funko Pop
Funky Features
White shirts are a staple of Eminem’s, but this time, MMLP Slim Shady rocks a tank top to distinguish himself from the SSLP variant. Plus, whereas the Slim Shady LP version had his mouth covered, there’s nothing stopping Mr. Marshall Mathers LP from talking his you-know-what on the mic in his left hand.
As for the gray sweatpants and white sneakers? I’d say that those details underscore how comfortable Eminem was with being a lightning rod for controversy. (There’s actually another compelling reason for Eminem’s ensemble here, which I’ll get to in a little bit.)
A Story to Tell
This Funko Pop! captures Eminem at the height of his creative powers and commercial success, which are both exemplified by his impeccable 2000 album The Marshall Mathers LP. When you look at MMLP-era Em, you instantly think about his dominance as the best-selling artist of the 2000s.
Notice that I didn’t qualify that description; Em was a juggernaut, not just in the hip hop genre, but in the entire music industry. As the MMLP reigned atop the charts, aspiring rap stars could only stare in awe and copy his style. The Real Slim Shady stood up and nonchalantly trampled on the competition.
Where Do I Purchase this?
When this Toy Arrives, Play this Song
If you thought that Eminem’s unassuming attire in this Funko Pop! was familiar, you probably had flashbacks of his sensational 2000 MTV VMAs performance, when he wore this exact same ensemble.
I don’t blame other Eminem fans, though, if their enduring memory of that night happens to be the 100 Eminem clones walking like a bunch of androids behind him. Yikes.
The Eminem Show Funko Pop
Funky Features
For a change, Eminem’s dressed to the nines. Here, our main man is wearing a dark suit with matching slacks, along with a red necktie. Why the abrupt shift in formality?
This is exactly what he’s wearing on the cover of his 2002 album The Eminem Show. That cover, a beauty in its own right, sees Eminem deep in thought as a curtain is pulled back on a stage.
On the surface, Eminem decided (either willingly or begrudgingly) to elevate the formality of his attire as he performed in the venue shown on the album cover.
A Story to Tell
Alternatively, Eminem’s formal get-up might be explained by his incredible skill of conjuring powerful metaphors. 15 years after The Eminem Show came out, Eminem revealed via Instagram that the concept behind the album was inspired by The Truman Show, a haunting Jim Carrey flick.
Having to deal with his rapid ascent to stardom, Em admitted, “I felt like I was always being watched” (much like the main character of the film). It’s sad, really: Eminem is all suited up to give his audience a good time, but none of them could ever truly hop up on the stage and dispel his loneliness.
Where Do I Purchase this?
When this Toy Arrives, Play this Song
I will argue that this song is the lyrical pinnacle of The Eminem Show. “Till I Collapse” contains some of the tightest verses I’ve ever heard in hip hop, along with the powerful Queen sample that makes you want to spend three, not two, hours in the gym. (RIP, Nate Dogg!)
The B-Rabbit Funko Pop
Funky Features
Let’s take a break from the album-inspired figures and turn our attention to this popular Funko Pop! on the Internet: the underdog known as B-Rabbit. Inspired by Eminem’s character in the 2002 film (I almost typed “biopic”) 8 Mile, this figure is dressed for battle. A rap battle, that is.
The beanie and hood combination provides an aura of mystique for this wordsmith, because let’s face it, no one can ever truly understand what’s going on in that noggin. The earphones resting on his shoulders can only mean one thing: that microphone is cocked, loaded, and ready to inflict damage on the Rabbit’s foe.
A Story to Tell
On second thought, maybe that movie should be categorized as a biography. Obscure poet from Detroit stuck in a dead-end job and trying his darndest to earn his stripes as an emcee? Yep, the distinction between actor and character is super thin.
With the theatrical release of 8 Mile in 2002, Eminem got to tell his story in an entirely new genre. As a longtime fan, I have to say that no matter what heights of success Eminem has achieved over the years, he will always be that hungry battle rapper at heart.
And that insatiable thirst to prove himself has secured him a spot in the highest echelons of the hip hop realm.
Where Do I Purchase this?
When this Toy Arrives, Play this Song
Mum’s spaghetti, anyone? “Lose Yourself” was the first Eminem song to claim the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100, and it also bagged him an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Ever rattled off the lyrics of this song while wearing the beanie and hood as you stared at your reflection in the bathroom mirror? Yeah, you’re not the first.
The Relapse Funko Pop
Funky Features
This one is (there’s no other way to put it) brutal. No, I don’t mean hideous or totally unappealing. Clearly, this particular figure is fresh off a slaughter; blood is splattered all over his body and the murder weapon is still in his hand. Definitely not a toy to be gifted to your nephew on his 7th birthday.
A Story to Tell
This Funko Pop! exemplifies the horrorcore that was once a dominant strain in Eminem’s music.
If you’re looking for a fine specimen (and I’m using the term loosely here) of Eminem’s horrorcore, check out his song “3 a.m.” off his 2009 album Relapse. “3 a.m.” delves into the unnerving mindset of Slim Shady as a serial killer, whose psychological state is just about to go off the rails completely.
And while I understand that collecting all these Funko Pop! figures is the ultimate goal, I do not blame you one bit if you place Relapse Eminem on a less prominent part of your bedroom. Waking up in the middle of the night and finding a blood-drenched Em glaring at you is…just creepy.
Where Do I Purchase this?
When this Toy Arrives, Play this Song
Just play it. Or don’t.
The Recovery Funko Pop
Funky Features
No more blood this time—for Eminem’s standards, this figure might as well be Saint Marshall. The blue long-sleeved shirt allows Em to exude a soothing aura, almost as if he’s telling his audience that this is the calmest he’s ever been.
The dark hues of his beanie and jacket, though, make you wonder about the demons that Em is still trying to keep at bay at this point. Nonetheless, this Funko Pop! doesn’t appear to be portraying some violent or vulgar alter ego. Quite simply, it’s how Eminem would look like as he takes a casual stroll.
A Story to Tell
Notice the stark contrast between the last two figures? That distinction was first felt in the refreshing lyrics and production style of Eminem’s 2010 comeback. Having finally defeated the drug problem that had almost taken his life, Em celebrated his renewed sense of vigor on the album Recovery.
The blonde-turned-brunette had turned a corner in his life, and you could tell that he was just raring to reach new heights and reclaim his legacy as one of hip hop’s greatest ever. (You can also tell that the Recovery album cover is what inspired the details of blue-shirt Funko Em! Now that’s a toy that we’d like to see first thing in the morning.)
Where Do I Purchase this?
When this Toy Arrives, Play this Song
On the song “Not Afraid,” Eminem underscores his moral and psychological victory: “It was my decision to get clean, I did it for me/Admittedly, I probably did it subliminally for you.”
Who would have thought that the loose cannon of the 2000s would ever drop such a line? As such, the blue-shirt Funko Pop! is a testament to the transformation that transpired in his life circa “Not Afraid.”
The MMLP 2 Funko Pop
Funky Features
Wait a minute, why is the blonde back again? One would think that the brunette crown would be the enduring symbol of rejuvenated Eminem, but for one reason or another, the gold locks are back.
Even more ominous is the dominance of black in his attire, from top to bottom. That chain, though, gives Em the look of a soldier who’s just about to don the fatigues. Plus, if you claim that those are army boots, I wouldn’t necessarily disagree with you.
A Story to Tell
While Em looks as though he’s dressed for war here, it’s probably not some geopolitical conflict that he’s getting involved in. After all, this Funko Pop! represents his mindset throughout the 2013 album The Marshall Mathers LP 2.
That project was dominated by the theme of karma—that is, Eminem attempting to come to terms with all the consequences brought on by the words, actions, and music of his past self. By bringing back the blonde, Em grapples with everything that Slim Shady stood for, in an attempt to finally obliterate the dark cloud that had followed him for so long.
Where Do I Purchase this?
When this Toy Arrives, Play this Song
So many Eminem smash hits are fuelled by a flurry of rage. On the Rihanna-assisted “The Monster,” Eminem psychoanalyzes himself with such calmness that you can’t help but root for his sustained recovery. His introspection is rendered beautifully in this music video, which revisits some of his greatest hits.
The Revival Funko Pop
Funky Features
Is this Revival Eminem or Obi-Wan Kenobi? Em sure looks like a wise old sage here, with the prominent facial hair and the hood that looks like it could have been a disguise used on Tattoine. Look closely, though, and you’ll realize that no Jedi Knight has ever sported a shirt depicting an album cover inspired by the United States flag.
A Story to Tell
Look even closer at the album cover on that shirt, and you’ll see Eminem burying his face in shame. In many ways, his 2017 album Recovery is the audio equivalent of a facepalm; Em’s highly disappointed with his country, particularly the Chief Executive.
As a matter of fact, the dark jacket on this Funko Pop! looks a lot like the one that he wore in that viral cypher where he ripped President Trump a new one.
Where Do I Purchase this?
When this Toy Arrives, Play this Song
This is the cypher I’m talking about. To say that Em was unapologetic here is a vast understatement. You either shared his political views…or you didn’t.
The Kamikaze Funko Pop
Funky Features
Talk about yin and yang: this Funko Pop! sheds the dark ensemble and puts on a white jack and slacks. This suggests a 180-degree psychological turn, a sharp pivot away from how he was presenting himself on his previous album.
But it is worth noting that, just like the Revival figure, the Kamikaze Funko Pop! is sporting a shirt emblazoned with his latest album cover. (By the way, if it was some other rapper trying to rip off The Beastie Boys’ iconic Licensed to Ill imagery, they probably wouldn’t have gotten away with it.)
A Story to Tell
Eminem has stated for the record that Kamikaze owes its existence to Revival. How so? The backlash to his 2017 album was so palpable that Em decided to devote his 2018 project to addressing the wave of criticism. Aside from delivering scathing rebuttals, Em took his sweet revenge simply by crafting great music to shut the naysayers up.
One of the stand-out tracks on Kamikaze is the Jessie Reyez-assisted “Good Guy”, which spawned the music video that inspired the white motif of this Funko Pop!
Where Do I Purchase this?
When this Toy Arrives, Play this Song
Story-wise, “Good Guy” continues the strain of tragic romance that goes all the way back to Eminem’s earliest albums. Reality-wise, Jessie Reyez is just one of many young musical acts that Em has helped to elevate over the years. Good for her!
The MTBMB Funko Pop
Funky Features
This Funko Pop! might as well have been a freebie for the album, as it’s a dead ringer for the Eminem that shows up on the front cover of his 2020 album Music to Be Murdered By. Sure, he’s dressed in a slick suit, but that dark hat and ominous shovel indicate that he just buried another poor soul.
A Story to Tell
Music to Be Murdered By was largely inspired by the films (not to mention the mystique) of legendary director Alfred Hitchcock. As such, one could imagine the MTBMB Eminem narrating his own psycho-thriller film in the future. (Speaking of narration: Hitchcock makes a handful of appearances throughout MTBMB as a harbinger of doom.)
Where Do I Purchase this?
When this Toy Arrives, Play this Song
More than two decades into his career as a recording artist, could Eminem find more ways to push the boundaries of poetic language? “Godzilla,” one of the singles off the MTBMB tracklist, is a hip hop masterclass that proves, once and for all, that the Rap God is utterly untouchable.
FAQs
Answer: Yes, there are bigger action figures out there that would pique your interest! You’ll find a number of these on ebay, including this red-shirt variant and this chainsaw-wielding figure that you can put a mask on.
(Again, these are for adult admirers, not children. Trust me, you don’t want to go through the mental exercise of explaining to little Timmy why that blonde-haired man is weaponizing that machinery.)
Answer: Yes, you can find it right here. I just couldn’t help but notice that it looks so much like the Eminem Show figure. (Makes sense, since Encore comes right after The Eminem Show in the discography.)
Answer: The CJ Pop Shop site displays a bunch of figures that are currently out of stock. These figures include Infinite and Slim Shady EP variants, as well as figures inspired by music videos like “Without Me” and “Just Lose It.”
Answer: On both CJ Pop Shop and Etsy, you can choose which particular box will house your miniature Eminem. Specifically, you can opt for a white box or a metallic box.
To Wrap Up…
Throughout his career, Eminem has always had a fascinating story to tell. While he’s quite effective at weaving narratives about other people’s lives, the best stories in his songs have been about his struggles, triumphs, and eye-popping tendencies.
You can recreate the saga of this iconic rapper by putting together a collection of Funko Pops that capture key moments in his journey. Amass all the hip hop action figures you want, but I guarantee that it will feel so empty without Em.