Crack a Bottle

"Crack a Bottle" initially gained attention in December 2008, when an unfinished version of the song was initially leaked under the name "Number One" on the mixtape 4th Quarter Pressure Part 2, while a final working version was leaked on January 6, 2009.{{cite news|date=December 5, 2008|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1600808/20081205/eminem.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207010346/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1600808/20081205/eminem.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 7, 2008|title=New Eminem Song 'Number One'|work=MTV News|publisher=MTV Networks|access-date=January 12, 2009|last=Reid|first=Shaheem}}{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1602142/20090106/eminem.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114041435/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1602142/20090106/eminem.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 14, 2009|title=Eminem's New Song, 'Crack A Bottle,' Featuring Dr. Dre And 50 Cent, Hits The Web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=January 6, 2009|work=MTV News|publisher=MTV Networks|access-date=January 12, 2009}} Various media outlets had reported that the recording was to be the first single from Eminem's 2009 album Relapse,{{cite news|url=http://www.nme.com/news/eminem/41918|title=New Eminem single appears online|date=January 7, 2009|work=NME|access-date=January 12, 2009}} however the Italian branch of Universal Music Group, owner of Interscope Records, later denied this, stating that "Crack a Bottle" was only a promotional recording.{{cite news|url=http://www.musicalnews.com/articolo.php?codice=14689&sz=6|title=Un saggio del nuovo Eminem: Crack A Bottle, un brano demo che lancia il nuovo CD!|last=Passarella|first=Giancarlo|date=January 14, 2009|work=Musicalnews.com|language=it|access-date=February 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618051223/http://www.musicalnews.com/articolo.php?codice=14689&sz=6|archive-date=June 18, 2009|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://musica.tiscali.it/articoli/09/01/13/eminem_ritorno_432.html|title=Eminem, dopo il buio un ritorno da re del rap|date=January 3, 2009|work=Tiscali Musica|publisher=Tiscali|language=it|access-date=February 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131032359/http://musica.tiscali.it/articoli/09/01/13/eminem_ritorno_432.html|archive-date=January 31, 2009|url-status=dead}} Despite all this, the song was released on February 2, 2009, and made available for paid digital download,{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=303941563&s=143444|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112061442/http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=303941563&s=143444|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 12, 2012|title=Crack a Bottle - Single|work=iTunes|publisher=Apple Inc.|access-date=February 2, 2009}}{{cite web|title=Crack A Bottle -Explicit- (Eminem, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent)|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001R641H4|work=Amazon.com|access-date=February 3, 2009}} with 50 Cent stating that the song will be included on his upcoming album Before I Self Destruct.{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604490/20090206/50_cent.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209080530/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604490/20090206/50_cent.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 9, 2009|title=50 Cent Says Rick Ross Beef Will Only 'Get Worse'|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|author2=Ramirez, Grace|date=February 6, 2009|work=MTV|publisher=MTV Networks|access-date=February 11, 2009}} According to Danielle Harling of HipHopDX—a website dedicated to hip hop music coverage—the song will ultimately be present on both Relapse and Before I Self Destruct,{{cite news|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.8553/title.-crack-a-bottle-sets-soundscan-record|title="Crack A Bottle" Sets SoundScan Record|last=Harling|first=Danielle|date=February 11, 2009|work=HipHopDX|access-date=February 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212002910/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.8553/title.-crack-a-bottle-sets-soundscan-record|archive-date=February 12, 2009|url-status=dead}} while in contrast, Daniel Kreps of Rolling Stone Magazine stated that it is still unsure which rapper will feature this song on his upcoming album.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/02/12/eminems-crack-a-bottle-rockets-shady-and-50-cent-to-top-of-hot-100/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215031706/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/02/12/eminems-crack-a-bottle-rockets-shady-and-50-cent-to-top-of-hot-100/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 15, 2009|title=Eminem's "Crack A Bottle" Rockets Shady and 50 Cent to Top of Hot 100|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=February 12, 2009|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=February 13, 2009}} Despite the confusion, Universal eventually announced that "Crack a Bottle" would be included in Relapse exclusively; however, the record label did not consider it the album's first single.{{cite news|url=http://www.universalmusic.com/artist-news/eminem%E2%80%99s-new-album-%E2%80%9Crelapse%E2%80%9D-drops-in-may-%E2%80%9Crelapse-2%E2%80%9D-later-this-year|title=Eminem's New Album "Relapse" Drops In May, "Relapse 2" Later This Year|date=March 5, 2009|work=Universal Music Group|access-date=March 22, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215005307/http://universalmusic.com/artist-news/eminem%E2%80%99s-new-album-%E2%80%9Crelapse%E2%80%9D-drops-in-may-%E2%80%9Crelapse-2%E2%80%9D-later-this-year|archive-date=February 15, 2010}} The song samples "Mais dans la lumière" by Israeli singer Mike Brant, written by Jean Renard, who also received songwriting credits for the song. The same sample is used in the song Preservation by Aesop Rock and Del tha Funkee Homosapien, found on Wu-Tang Clan's 2005 album Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7vSzgDhF3Y |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/f7vSzgDhF3Y |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=aesop rock feat del tha funkee homosapien - preservation |publisher=YouTube |date=2008-12-08 |access-date=2012-02-10}}{{cbignore}} The song is in the key of C-sharp minor. American rapper Jay Rock released a remix to the song.{{cite web |url=http://blog.jayrock.com/throwback-jay-rock-crack-a-bottle-freestyle-song/ |title=Throwback: Jay Rock 'Crack A Bottle' Freestyle [Song] | Jay Rock |publisher=Blog.jayrock.com |date=2009-03-23 |access-date=2012-02-10 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707033346/http://blog.jayrock.com/throwback-jay-rock-crack-a-bottle-freestyle-song/ |archive-date=2012-07-07 |url-status=dead }} Rappers Cashis and Bobby Creekwater were featured in the official remix of "Crack a Bottle". Rick Ross also released a remix as a diss to G-Unit.

Billboard gave a positive review of the song: "Although not quite as strong as the title track to Eminem's 2004 album Encore, the return of Eminem, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent has been anticipated for a long time, and it is sure to put Eminem back atop the marquee. His skills remain some of the best in hip-hop, and the accompanying contributions make the music that little bit more stronger."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/reviews-singles/crack-a-bottle-1003933813.story|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205003348/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/reviews-singles/crack-a-bottle-1003933813.story|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 February 2009|title=Crack a Bottle|magazine=Billboard |date=5 February 2009|access-date=28 December 2017}} Rolling Stone Magazine commented negatively on the song, saying that it is one of the weakest tracks on the album, along the other single "We Made You".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/eminem/albums/album/28068084/review/28123843/relapse|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514152015/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/eminem/albums/album/28068084/review/28123843/relapse|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 May 2009|title=Eminem: Relapse : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=14 May 2009|access-date=28 December 2017}} The song won at the 52nd Grammy Awards in the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group category.

During an interview for MTV, 50 Cent originally told that there were plans to make an animated music video for "Crack a Bottle", which was to be shot along with a music video for 50 Cent's song "I Get It In". On February 25, Eminem's manager Paul Rosenberg posted on his blog a still frame from the music video illustrating a homeless person holding a bottle wrapped in a brown bag. According to Rosenberg, it is directed by Syndrome and was planned to be released within a couple of weeks.{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1605807/20090225/eminem.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228014958/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1605807/20090225/eminem.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 28, 2009|title=Eminem, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre's 'Crack A Bottle' – Check Out Photo From Video|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=February 25, 2009 |publisher=MTV Networks|access-date=March 2, 2009}} The music video was playing on TV in Eminem's music video "3 a.m.", which has been directed by Syndrome as well. On May 7, 2009, an unfinished version of the video was released via TheRelapse.com, featuring Eminem's verse and chorus. Later during the same day, 50 Cent's rapped verse of the video was released via ThisIs50.com as well. This was added to the unfinished video on therelapse.com. A month later, on June 7, 2009, Cashis posted a link on Twitter to the full video in which he makes a cameo appearance. The music video portrays each rappers' style; Eminem's chaotic style, Dr. Dre's West Coast style, and 50 Cent's more club oriented style. None of the performers are featured in the video. On August 1, 2022, the official music video was released on YouTube after 13 years.

{{see also|List of awards and nominations received by Eminem}}

;Digital download{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/crack-a-bottle-single/id303941443|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619052219/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/crack-a-bottle-single/id303941443|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 19, 2014|title=iTunes - Music - Crack a Bottle - Single by Eminem, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent|publisher=iTunes|date=2009-01-29|access-date=2014-01-18}}

{{track_listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Crack a Bottle

| note1 =

| writer1 = {{hlist|Marshall Mathers|Andre Young|Curtis Jackson|Mark Batson|Dawaun Parker|Trevor Lawrence, Jr.|Jean Renard}}

| extra1 = Dr. Dre

| length1 = {{duration|m=5|s=15}}

}}

;Promotional CD single{{cite web|author=Maximus|url=http://chartstuff.blogspot.co.uk/2009/01/eminem-crack-bottle-promo-cd.html|title=ChartStuff.co.uk - Chart News, Reviews, Downloads & Analysis: Eminem 'Crack A Bottle' Promo CD|publisher=Chartstuff.blogspot.co.uk|date=2009-01-31|access-date=2014-01-18}}

{{track_listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Crack a Bottle

| note1 = edited

| writer1 = {{hlist|Marshall Mathers|Andre Young|Curtis Jackson|Mark Batson|Dawaun Parker|Trevor Lawrence, Jr.|Jean Renard}}

| extra1 = Dr. Dre

| length1 = {{duration|m=5|s=15}}

| title2 = Crack a Bottle

| note2 = clean radio edit

| writer2 = {{hlist|Mathers|Young|Jackson|Batson|Parker|Lawrence, Jr.|Renard}}

| extra2 = Dr. Dre

| length2 = {{duration|m=4|s=10}}

| title3 = Crack a Bottle

| note3 = instrumental

| writer3 = {{hlist|Mathers|Young|Jackson|Batson|Parker|Lawrence, Jr.|Renard}}

| extra3 = Dr. Dre

| length3 = {{duration|m=5|s=11}}

| title4 = Crack a Bottle

| note4 = explicit

| writer4 = {{hlist|Mathers|Young|Jackson|Batson|Parker|Lawrence, Jr.|Renard}}

| extra4 = Dr. Dre

| length4 = {{duration|m=5|s=15}}

| title5 = Crack a Bottle

| note5 = super clean

| writer5 = {{hlist|Mathers|Young|Jackson|Batson|Parker|Lawrence, Jr.|Renard}}

| extra5 = Dr. Dre

| length5 = {{duration|m=5|s=15}}

| total_length = {{duration|m=25|s=6}}

}}

Since its release, "Crack a Bottle" has charted mainly in the United States, entering various charts including the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The song peaked in the top ten on the Hot Rap Tracks, reaching number four. After spending three consecutive weeks at number seventy-eight on the Hot 100,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2009-02-14/hot-100 |title="Crack a Bottle" Billboard Hot 100 chart position |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 14, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504103819/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2009-02-14/hot-100 |archive-date=May 4, 2014 }} on Billboard's edition of February 21, 2009, "Crack a Bottle" reached the number one position on the Hot 100{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=eminem|chart=all}} due to sales of 418,000 downloads, becoming the fourth-biggest jump to the top of the Hot 100 in the chart's history. "Crack a Bottle" is Eminem's second song to peak the top the Billboard Hot 100 since "Lose Yourself", which it peaked number one in 2002 and 2003 for twelve weeks. With this song, Dr. Dre reached the top of the Hot 100 for a third time while this is 50 Cent's fourth. The song has also entered in various European national charts, including the Irish Singles Chart and UK Singles Chart, and also debuted at number one on the Canadian Hot 100, which was the first number one debut on the chart.

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|artist=Eminem Feat. Dr. Dre & 50 Cent|title=Crack a Bottle|relyear=2009|certyear=2024|access-date=June 29, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Eminem|title=Crack a Bottle|relyear=2009|certyear=2024|access-date=March 12, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|award=Platinum|artist=Eminem, Dr. Dre And 50 Cent|title=Crack a Bottle|relyear=2009|certyear=2021|source=radioscope|access-date=December 18, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|award=Platinum|artist=Eminem Ft Dr Dre & 50 Cent|title=Crack A Bottle|relyear=2009|certyear=2025|id=10679-3221-1|access-date=May 16, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|artist=Eminem|title=Crack a Bottle|relyear=2009|certyear=2022|access-date=February 28, 2018}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}

• Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
• List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 2009 (U.S.)
• List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 2009 (Canada)
• List of UK R&B Singles Chart number ones of 2009
• List of Romanian Singles Chart top 10 Singles in 2009

{{Reflist}}

{{Eminem singles}}

{{Dr. Dre songs}}

{{50 Cent singles}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crack A Bottle}}

Category:2009 songs

Category:2009 singles

Category:Eminem songs

Category:Dr. Dre songs

Category:50 Cent songs

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Canadian Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Songs written by Eminem

Category:Songs written by Dr. Dre

Category:Songs written by 50 Cent

Category:Songs written by Mark Batson

Category:Song recordings produced by Dr. Dre

Category:Songs about alcohol

Category:Shady Records singles

Category:Aftermath Entertainment singles

Category:Interscope Records singles

Category:Songs written by Jean Renard (songwriter)

Category:Songs written by Dawaun Parker