Shake That

"Shake That" by Eminem Featuring Nate Dogg

Rewind to the tail end of 2005, when Eminem was one of the biggest and most controversial stars on the planet, a rapper whose every release was an event. Amid the darker, more confessional material that had come to define much of his work, "Shake That" offered something looser and more raucous: a rowdy, unapologetic club track built for late nights and packed dance floors. Paired with one of the smoothest hook-men in hip-hop history, it became a rambunctious party anthem with an irresistible bounce.

A Superstar Letting Loose

By late 2005, Eminem had spent years at the very top of the hip-hop world, known for his razor-sharp lyricism and his willingness to court controversy. This track found him in a more carefree, hedonistic mode, trading social commentary for pure party energy. The song appeared on Eminem's 2005 compilation Curtain Call: The Hits, a collection rounding up his biggest moments, and it gave fans a fresh, raucous single amid the familiar classics. It showed the lighter, more playful side of an artist often defined by his intensity.

A Sound Built for the Club

The production is bouncy and energetic, driven by a thumping beat and a playful, slightly cartoonish atmosphere that suits its party-minded subject. Eminem delivers his verses with mischievous, rapid-fire energy, clearly enjoying himself. The real secret weapon is the hook from Nate Dogg, whose unmistakable, buttery-smooth voice was the gold standard for hip-hop choruses of the era. His silky delivery glides over the rowdy beat, providing the perfect melodic counterpoint to Eminem's manic flow and giving the track its instantly memorable, sing-along quality. That pairing of frantic energy and smooth melody was a winning formula that defined many of the era's biggest hits, and few duos pulled it off as naturally as these two. The song never tries to be more than it is; it sets up a simple party premise and then lets the contrast between the two voices carry it, trusting their chemistry to do the heavy lifting. The looseness is the point.

A Strong Run on the Hot 100

The single performed well, climbing comfortably into the upper reaches of the chart. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 dated December 24, 2005, at number 76, then made its way up steadily over the following weeks. It reached its peak of number 6 on February 25, 2006, breaking into the top ten and confirming its broad appeal. In total it spent 21 weeks on the Hot 100, a solid run that kept it in heavy rotation through the winter and established it as one of his more enduring party singles.

A Bittersweet Piece of History

The song carries a poignant significance in hindsight. Its official video has gathered roughly 248 million views on YouTube, keeping it alive for new generations of listeners. It also stands as one of the memorable collaborations between Eminem and Nate Dogg, a partnership cut short by the singer's passing a few years later. The track now serves as a celebration of Nate Dogg's irreplaceable contribution to hip-hop, his smooth hooks having shaped countless hits of the era.

Why It Endures

The record lasts because it is pure, uncomplicated fun delivered by two masters at the top of their game. The contrast between Eminem's frantic energy and Nate Dogg's effortless cool never gets old, and the beat still fills a room with party energy. It captures a lighter moment from a heavy era, and that release is part of its charm.

Press play and let that bounce take over; some songs exist for no reason other than to make a party come alive.

"Shake That" — Eminem Featuring Nate Dogg's singular moment on the 2000s charts.