Eminem News Recap: May 12, 2026 – Record-Breaking 'Infinite' Vinyl Sale and Catalog Certifications

As of Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Marshall Mathers continues to dominate both streaming charts and collector markets without new music. The past week’s biggest stories center on a historic vinyl auction and fresh multi-platinum upgrades across the UK and New Zealand.

Catalog Power Moves: Four Tracks Earn New UK & NZ Certifications (May 10, 2026)

On or around May 10, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and Recorded Music NZ awarded upgraded certifications to four Eminem tracks, proving the enduring streaming strength of his deep catalog more than a decade after release.

New Zealand highlights:

• “Shake That” (2005/2006) – upgraded to 5× Platinum. The Nate Dogg collaboration remains a streaming staple with additional 7× Platinum in Australia and 4× Platinum in the US.
• “Bagpipes From Baghdad” (2009’s Relapse: Refill) – earned Gold status purely on streaming, despite never being a single.

United Kingdom highlights:

• “Godzilla” (2020) – climbed to 3× Platinum, continuing its steady three-year certification cycle.
• “That’s All She Wrote” (with T.I., 2010/2011) – secured Silver certification. The track features one of Eminem’s most technically brilliant verses.

These upgrades reflect broader industry trends: catalog streams now drive the majority of revenue for legacy artists. Even non-radio hits like “Bagpipes From Baghdad” continue generating significant value through playlists and algorithmic discovery.

Historic Vinyl Record: Signed 'Infinite' Sells for $104,920 at Goldin Auctions

In the week’s most explosive story, a factory-sealed, hand-signed first-press copy of Eminem’s 1996 independent debut Infinite shattered the world record for the highest-priced hip-hop vinyl ever sold. The final price, including buyer’s premium, reached $104,920 at Goldin Auctions — topping Eminem’s own previous record of $62,000 set in 2023.

The auction opened modestly at $2,500 on April 5 and escalated dramatically in the final days, with two determined collectors pushing bids in $5,000–$10,000 increments. The winning hammer fell at $86,000 before fees. Unsigned copies of the same pressing typically sell for $6,000–$7,000, showing the massive premium placed on Eminem’s autograph.

Symbolically, the sale represents full-circle justice. Infinite was a commercial failure in 1996 — self-released on Web Entertainment and distributed out of the trunk of Eminem’s car in Detroit. That early rejection fueled the relentless drive that produced The Slim Shady LP just three years later.

Broader Context & What’s Next for Eminem

These milestones arrive amid continued fan speculation about new music. In **late November 2025**, court filings in a trademark dispute revealed that Eminem is actively finishing new music. Eminem’s manager Paul Rosenberg stated in a sworn declaration that Marshall is “presently working on new music for various projects” with “daily studio sessions involving multiple engineers,” and that “the music currently in production approaches completion.” The comments were made while requesting to delay a deposition, emphasizing how critical it was for Eminem to remain in the studio through November and December. While no firm 2026 release date has been confirmed, the catalog’s continued growth keeps Eminem’s empire expanding even in quiet periods.

His official store continues limited-edition merch drops tied to past releases, and he remains one of only two rappers with 35+ weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Sources & Citations:

• eminem.news – “Eminem’s Infinite Vinyl Breaks World Hip Hop Record” (4 days ago)
• BPI & Recorded Music NZ certification updates (May 10, 2026)
• Goldin Auctions official results & related coverage

All data cross-verified as of May 12, 2026.