"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 themixtape4th Quarter Pressure Part 2, while a final working version was leaked on January 6, 2009.[4][5] Various media outlets had reported that the recording was to be the first single from Eminem's 2009 albumRelapse,[5][6] however the Italian branch ofUniversal Music Group, owner ofInterscope Records, later denied this, stating that "Crack a Bottle" was only apromotional recording.[7][8] Despite all this, the song was released on February 2, 2009, and made available for paiddigital download,[9][10] with 50 Cent stating that the song will be included on his upcoming albumBefore I Self Destruct.[11] According to Danielle Harling ofHipHopDX—a website dedicated to hip hop music coverage—the song will ultimately be present on bothRelapse andBefore I Self Destruct,[12] while in contrast, Daniel Kreps ofRolling Stone Magazine stated that it is still unsure which rapper will feature this song on his upcoming album.[13] Despite the confusion, Universal eventually announced that "Crack a Bottle" would be included inRelapse exclusively; however, the record label did not consider it the album's first single.[14] The song samples "Mais dans la lumière" by Israeli singerMike Brant, written by Jean Renard, who also received songwriting credits for the song. The same sample is used in the song Preservation byAesop Rock andDel tha Funkee Homosapien, found onWu-Tang Clan's 2005 albumWu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture.[15] The song is in the key ofC-sharp minor. American rapperJay Rock released a remix to the song.[16] RappersCashis andBobby Creekwater were featured in the official remix of "Crack a Bottle".Rick Ross also released a remix as a diss toG-Unit.
Billboard gave a positive review of the song: "Although not quite as strong as thetitle track to Eminem's 2004 albumEncore, 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."[17]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".[18] The song won at the52nd Grammy Awards in theGrammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group category.[3]
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".[11] On February 25, Eminem's managerPaul 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.[19] 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, featuringEminem'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 onTwitter to the full video in which he makes a cameo appearance. The music video portrays each rappers' style; Eminem's chaotic style, Dr. Dre'sWest 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.[20]
Since its release, "Crack a Bottle" has charted mainly in the United States, entering various charts including theBillboard Hot 100 andHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The song peaked in the top ten on theHot Rap Tracks, reaching number four. After spending three consecutive weeks at number seventy-eight on the Hot 100,[23] onBillboard's edition of February 21, 2009, "Crack a Bottle" reached the number one position on the Hot 100[24] due to sales of 418,000 downloads, becoming the fourth-biggest jump to the top of the Hot 100 in the chart's history.[1] "Crack a Bottle" is Eminem's second song to peak the top theBillboard 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.[1] The song has also entered in various European national charts, including theIrish Singles Chart andUK Singles Chart, and also debuted at number one on theCanadian Hot 100, which was the first number one debut on the chart.
