Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?

 
Eminem in his earlier days. PHOTO: CATHERINE MCGANN/GETTY

The Grammy-winning rapper turns 51 on Oct. 17, 2023, but you wouldn’t guess he’s entering his sixth decade by looking at him. Aside from changing facial hair (and maybe pulling back on the bleach), Marshall Mathers has proven himself to be a bit of an ageless wonder throughout his decades-long career.

Don’t believe us? Here are 25 throwback photos of Eminem that prove he’s hardly aged.

Hard Knocks

GARY FRIEDMAN/LOS ANGELES TIMES VIA GETTY

Fifty-one years ago today, on Oct. 17, 1972, Marshall Mathers III was born. And somehow, the rapper — better known as Eminem — hasn’t aged since.

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Feel the Beats

DAVID M. BENETT/GETTY

Here is a photo of the rapper from 2018.

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Take a Peek

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Can you see the difference? No? That’s because, if you take off the beard and dye his hair blond again, there isn’t one. The rapper doesn’t really age!

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In the Eyes

THE LIFE PICTURE COLLECTION VIA GETTY

Still a little skeptical? Who wants to see some throwbacks of Eminem from the early 2000s that’ll both make you super nostalgic and prove our point?

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Hands Up

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Great, let’s get started.

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Mic Check

CATHERINE MCGANN/GETTY

Here he is, performing in New York City in 1999.

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Now You See Me

GARY FRIEDMAN/LOS ANGELES TIMES VIA GETTY

And in the studio in 2000.

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Moonman Master

In 1999 the rapper, then going by Slim Shady, won Best New Artist at the MTV Video Music Awards.

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Nineties Baby

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And was clearly very excited about it. You can almost forgive Eminem for not smiling because his eyes are piercing your soul through the screen.

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Across the Pond

ERIC CATARINA/GAMMA-RAPHO VIA GETTY

He has always been stoic.

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Bright Spot

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The rapper dyed his hair a now-infamous shade of blond and, to be honest, no man who has dyed his hair platinum since has measured up.

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Style File

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Is it weird to find a man wearing overalls and a hockey mask attractive? Asking for a friend.

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Denim Days

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The rapper donned the get-up while on tour in 2003.

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Award Worthy

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Please enjoy this extremely 2000s ensemble.

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Grammy Gold

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Eminem made wearing tiny glasses cool.

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Double Vision

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This is all the proof that you need. We stan a trendsetter.

Did you know that the rapper is to thank for ‘stan,’ the word we all now use to describe loving and supporting our favorite celebrities?

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That’s a Wrap

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Two bandanas at the same time. Iconic.

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Stage Right

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You wanna see more photos of Eminem? We live to serve.

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Back in the Day

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We didn’t know we needed this shirtless photo of Eminem until we found this shirtless photo of Eminem, but boy did we need it.

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Real Slim Shady

RON WOLFSON/WIREIMAGE

The rapper has always had a pretty casual red carpet style. Here, Slim Shady arrives at the 2000 Hip Hop Awards.

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The White Stuff

The rapper was clearly feeling himself when he went up to accept the award for Best Music Video at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.

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Dad and Daughter

WENN

Eminem is father to now 27-year-old Hailie, who is pictured here with her dad in 2004.

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‘8 Mile’

EMINEM LOOKING OVER AT BRITTANY MURPHY IN A SCENE FROM THE FILM ‘8 MILE’, 2002. (PHOTO BY UNIVERSAL/GETTY IMAGES)

The rapper showed off his acting skills when he starred alongside Brittany Murphy in 8 Mile, a film loosely based on his own life. The movie’s theme, “Lose Yourself,” won him an Oscar for Best Original Song.

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Hats Off

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Big fan of Eminem’s beanie, as well as his acting chops.

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Birthday Bliss

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We think we’ve made our point!