Not Afraid

"Not Afraid" is a hip hop song by American rapper Eminem, released as the lead single from his seventh studio album, Recovery, on April 29, 2010, by Interscope Records.^[1] The track, produced by Boi-1da with additional production by Jordan Evans and Matthew Burnett, and written by Eminem and Luis Resto, features an anthemic beat and addresses Eminem's struggles with addiction, his journey to sobriety, and a message of empowerment for fans facing similar challenges.^[2] It marked a significant shift in Eminem's public persona following his well-documented battles with substance abuse, positioning the song as an inspirational anthem of resilience and self-determination.^[3] Upon release, "Not Afraid" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated May 22, 2010, becoming the 16th song in history to achieve this feat and Eminem's first number-one single since "Lose Yourself" in 2002.^[4] The song also topped charts in Canada and several other countries, peaking at number four in Australia and number five in the United Kingdom on the Official Singles Chart.^[5] By 2022, it had sold over 11 million units in the United States and received 11× Platinum certification from the RIAA.^[6] As of 2024, the song has exceeded 1 billion streams on Spotify.^[7] Its success helped propel Recovery to over 741,000 first-week sales in the U.S., debuting at number one on the Billboard 200.^[1] The accompanying music video, directed by Rich Lee, premiered on June 5, 2010, on Eminem's Vevo channel and depicts the rapper leading a march through an urban landscape symbolizing personal and collective triumph over adversity.^[8] Filmed in Newark, New Jersey, the video features cinematic visuals, including Eminem confronting his inner demons and rallying supporters, which reinforced the song's themes of courage and redemption.^[9] It garnered widespread attention for its high production values and metaphorical storytelling, contributing to the single's cultural impact during Eminem's recovery era. Critics lauded "Not Afraid" for its motivational tone and departure from Eminem's earlier provocative style, with NPR noting it as a sincere break from his "jokey, poppy formula" toward genuine amends and growth.^[3] Stereogum described it as a "motivational stadium-rocker" that, despite not fitting typical hit conventions, resonated through its raw sentiment of overcoming hardship.^[10] The song's positive reception extended to its role in Eminem's broader artistic evolution, earning praise for empowering listeners while achieving lasting acclaim as one of his signature tracks.^[11]

Creation

Writing and inspiration

Eminem drew inspiration for "Not Afraid" from his personal recovery from prescription drug addiction, particularly following a near-fatal methadone overdose in December 2007 that hospitalized him and prompted a profound reevaluation of his life.^[12] This experience, coupled with his subsequent battle against relapse, shaped the song as a motivational anthem emphasizing sobriety and resilience, intended to inspire both himself and listeners facing similar struggles.^[12] Eminem has described the track as a declaration of his determination to overcome inner demons, reflecting the broader sobriety-themed narrative of his seventh studio album, Recovery.^[13] The writing process for "Not Afraid" occurred during Eminem's ongoing recovery in late 2009, as he returned to a more straightforward lyric-writing approach reminiscent of his earlier career, focusing on raw honesty about his fears and triumphs.^[12] Initial sketches for the song emerged around November 2009, positioning it as an uplifting lead single to herald his artistic comeback after a period of personal turmoil and creative hiatus.^[14] Longtime collaborator Dr. Dre played a key role in encouraging Eminem to explore positive themes in his material for Recovery, a shift from the darker tones of previous works like Relapse, helping to frame "Not Afraid" as a beacon of hope amid his sobriety journey.^[15] Eminem has noted that the song's creation was deeply tied to his daily fears of relapse, drawing from introspective reflections during therapy and personal documentation of his emotional state, which informed the lyrics' emphasis on self-empowerment and support for others in recovery.^[15] This personal vulnerability, combined with Dre's production guidance toward optimism, marked a pivotal moment in Eminem's evolution as an artist committed to themes of redemption.^[16]

Recording and production

The recording of "Not Afraid" took place primarily at Effigy Studios in Ferndale, Michigan, between December 2009 and February 2010.^[17]) The track's beat was created by producer Boi-1da in his basement studio in Ajax, Ontario, using Fruity Loops software to layer orchestral strings, a choir, percussion, and a piano loop, in collaboration with Matthew Burnett who contributed the strings and choir elements.^[17][18] Eminem acquired the beat after it was initially passed to rapper Maino, and he recorded his vocals shortly thereafter, adding further production including piano, a church choir, additional mixing, and ad-libs.^[18][19] Key personnel included engineer Mike Strange Jr., who handled recording and mixing at Effigy Studios using Pro Tools at 44.1kHz/24-bit resolution, with vocals captured via a Sony C800 microphone and Avalon 737 preamp.^[17] Keyboardist and composer Luis Resto provided overdubs, contributing 25 stereo tracks of keyboards and orchestration to enhance the beat's emotional depth.^[17] The process involved an iterative approach to vocals, with Eminem delivering multiple takes—five for the hook and six for the bridge—to preserve raw emotion without comping or Auto-Tune, and he overdubbed the iconic intro chant for emphasis.^[17] Final mixing occurred at Effigy Studios, prioritizing vocal clarity over an SSL G-series console with outboard effects like TC Electronic 2290 delay and Bricasti reverb.^[17] This hands-on production mirrored Eminem's ongoing personal recovery from addiction.^[18]

Musical and lyrical analysis

Composition

"Not Afraid" is a hip-hop track incorporating rock and orchestral elements, with a duration of 4:08.^[20] The song is composed in C minor and maintains a mid-tempo pace of 86 beats per minute, characterized by a steady rhythm that supports Eminem's delivery through heavy bass lines and subtle dynamic builds.^[21][22] This tempo, combined with the track's energetic yet introspective vibe, contributes to its anthemic quality, blending rap conventions with broader pop accessibility.^[17] The structure adheres to a conventional verse-chorus format, opening with an intro of layered vocal chants echoing the chorus hook to evoke a crowd-like energy, followed by two verses, two choruses, a bridge, and an outro that fades with repeating motifs.^[17] The bridge features a notable breakdown highlighted by a guitar riff, providing a moment of intensity amid the song's otherwise steady progression. This arrangement emphasizes repetition in the extended chorus sections, sung by Eminem, to reinforce the track's motivational drive.^[17] Production techniques center on a rich, layered soundscape crafted by producers Boi-1da, Jordan Evans, and Matthew Burnett, with additional orchestration by Luis Resto. The beat incorporates an 808 kick for deep bass, live drums including hi-hats, rides, snares, and cymbals for rhythmic layering, alongside orchestral hits and Mellotron-style pads that create string swells for dramatic effect. A prominent piano melody anchors the harmonic foundation, supplemented by 17 keyboard tracks including guitar-like tones, while backing vocals employ Antares Auto-Tune to achieve a choral, harmonized texture. These elements were assembled using SSL consoles for EQ and compression, ensuring vocal clarity and instrumental depth without overpowering the central rap performance.^[17]

Lyrics and themes

The lyrics of "Not Afraid" center on themes of overcoming addiction, self-empowerment, and rejecting toxic influences, positioning the song as an anthem of personal redemption. Eminem confronts his substance abuse history directly, rapping lines such as "It was my decision to get clean, I did it for me / Admittedly, I probably did a bit too much of this / When you add that to the pills, a fidgety, jittery bitch who just quit tripping," which underscore the resolve to break free from dependency.^[2] The chorus serves as a rallying cry with "I'm not afraid to take a stand / Everybody come take my hand / We'll walk this road together, through the storm," inviting listeners to join in collective resilience against adversity.^[3] Eminem's lyrical style employs intricate internal rhymes and multisyllabic schemes to build momentum, creating a motivational tone that shifts from vulnerability in the verses—evident in self-critical reflections like "I'm standing up, I'ma face my demons, I'm manning up, I'ma hold my ground"—to triumphant defiance in the chorus.^[23] This technique amplifies the emotional delivery, with the solemn keyboard riff briefly underscoring the introspective verses before swelling into anthemic choruses. Specific motifs include metaphors of enduring extreme hardship, such as navigating a "field of land mines" or facing inner turmoil, symbolizing the fiery trials of recovery.^[2] Direct addresses to fans reinforce shared struggles, as in "Holla if you feel like you've had enough," fostering a sense of communal empowerment.^[3] The song marks a stylistic evolution from Eminem's earlier work on the Relapse album (2009), which delved into drug-glorifying and chaotic narratives, toward inspirational rap focused on triumph and maturity; he explicitly critiques Relapse with "Let's be honest, that last Relapse CD was 'ehh' / Perhaps I ran them accents into the ground," signaling a pivot to cleaner, more uplifting content on Recovery.^[23][12]

Release

Commercial release

"Not Afraid" was released as a digital download on April 29, 2010, through Interscope Records, serving as the lead single from Eminem's seventh studio album, Recovery. The decision to select it as the lead single stemmed from its anthemic tone, which represented a shift from Eminem's earlier humorous or gimmicky opening tracks and aimed to reintroduce the artist after his hiatus and personal recovery from addiction.^[24] The single was issued in multiple formats, including a standard digital release and a CD single containing the explicit album version alongside an instrumental track.^[25][26] Later, "Not Afraid" appeared on vinyl reissues of Recovery, such as limited-edition double LP pressings that included the full album tracklist.^[27] Recovery itself debuted on June 18, 2010, via Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records, with "Not Afraid" sequenced as the seventh track on the standard edition.^[28][29] This positioning highlighted the song's role in setting the album's introspective themes while integrating it into the broader narrative of Eminem's artistic evolution.^[30]

Promotion and marketing

Pre-release promotion for "Not Afraid" kicked off with teaser clips shared across digital platforms, including Eminem's official YouTube channel and music sites, on April 29, 2010, coinciding with the single's release. These snippets, featuring excerpts of the track overlaid with visuals from past videos, aimed to generate buzz after Eminem's hiatus from new music following the 2009 album Relapse. The teasers effectively highlighted the song's introspective tone, drawing fans back into anticipation for his upcoming project.^[31][32] Interscope Records supported the rollout with targeted marketing campaigns, including digital advertisements on social platforms like MySpace—where Eminem maintained a strong presence—and iTunes, the leading digital music retailer at the time. Additionally, a notable TV commercial for the parent album Recovery aired during Game 6 of the 2010 NBA Finals, parodying infomercials with pitchman Vince Offer (known from ShamWow ads) to emphasize the album's transformative themes, thereby cross-promoting "Not Afraid" to a broad sports audience. These efforts capitalized on high-visibility events during the NBA playoffs to amplify reach.^[33][34] Eminem actively engaged in artist-led promotion through a series of interviews on his SiriusXM Shade 45 radio channel in 2010, where he opened up about the song's sobriety message as a personal anthem for overcoming addiction and reclaiming his life. These discussions, hosted on his own network, provided authentic insight into the track's lyrical depth and tied directly to his recovery journey. Complementing this, "Not Afraid" appeared in official Recovery album trailers released in the lead-up to the June 2010 launch, while Eminem offered early live previews of the song at intimate venues and events in the spring of that year, fostering direct fan connections before wider performances. This promotional approach underscored the single's role in the album's overarching narrative of redemption and resilience.^[35][36]

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release as the lead single from Eminem's 2010 album Recovery, "Not Afraid" garnered generally favorable reviews from music critics, who praised its anthemic quality, emotional sincerity, and role as a motivational comeback statement following the rapper's struggles with addiction.^[37] The track was lauded for its production, blending orchestral synths with hip-hop beats to create an uplifting, stadium-ready sound that highlighted Eminem's vocal delivery and introspective themes of redemption and resilience.^[10] Rolling Stone described the song as a powerful declaration of personal redemption, emphasizing its introspective lyrics and motivational tone as key to Eminem's triumphant return to form after years of personal turmoil.^[38] Similarly, AllMusic noted its stirring grandiosity as a vow to overcome darkness, marking it as a career highlight for its lyrical vulnerability despite occasional self-righteousness.^[39] NPR highlighted how the track broke from Eminem's previous formulaic singles, offering a more genuine and amends-making approach that eschewed humor for raw honesty.^[3] Billboard commended its revenge-of-the-downtrodden sentiment as effective for reintroducing Eminem to a broad audience, even amid some clichéd elements.^[37] Critics also pointed out shortcomings, with some finding the chorus overly simplistic and sing-songy compared to Eminem's historically complex wordplay. The Guardian critiqued it as a "lumpen" comeback single burdened by weak rhymes and formulaic uplift, lacking the edge of his earlier work.^[40] Pitchfork dismissed the track's Diane Warren-esque anthem style as cringe-worthy and bombastic, arguing it prioritized self-help clichés over genuine wit or innovation.^[23] Aggregate reviews for Recovery, in which "Not Afraid" served as the opener and standout single, averaged 63/100 on Metacritic based on 28 publications, reflecting a mixed but generally favorable reception where the song was often cited as a highlight amid broader album inconsistencies.^[41]

Commercial success

"Not Afraid" achieved immediate commercial success upon its release, selling 380,000 digital downloads in its first week and debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.^[42] This strong performance significantly boosted the sales of its parent album Recovery, which moved 741,000 copies in its debut week in the United States, marking Eminem's largest opening week since 2004.^[42] Over the long term, the single has sold over 11.8 million digital copies worldwide, reflecting sustained popularity in both physical and digital formats.^[43] By 2025, "Not Afraid" had surpassed 1.2 billion streams on Spotify alone, contributing to Eminem's overall dominance in streaming metrics for hip-hop tracks from the 2010s.^[44] Internationally, the song topped charts in ten countries, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, underscoring its global appeal beyond the U.S. market. In the United States, it received Diamond certification from the RIAA in 2014, denoting 10 million units as of June 10, 2014.^[45]

Accolades

"Not Afraid" received significant recognition from major music awards bodies following its release. At the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2011, the song won Best Rap Solo Performance, marking Eminem's second win in the category after "My Name Is" in 2000.^[46] It was also nominated for Best Rap Song, but lost to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind." These honors were bolstered by the track's critical acclaim for its introspective lyrics on recovery and resilience. In 2010, "Not Afraid" secured the MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video, with the accompanying music video directed by Rich Lee praised for its cinematic storytelling. The song's video also earned nominations for Best Male Video and Best Direction at the same ceremony.^[47] Additional accolades include a win for Choice Music: Rap/Hip-Hop Track at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards, reflecting its popularity among younger audiences.^[48]

Music video

Development and production

The music video for "Not Afraid" was directed by Rich Lee, who was selected for the project based on his prior collaboration with Eminem on the 2009 video for "Crack a Bottle."^[49][50] Lee pitched a concept framing the visuals as a metaphorical journey depicting Eminem's path to sobriety and self-empowerment, drawing inspiration from the song's lyrical motifs of personal recovery and resilience.^[10] Eminem contributed creatively to the symbolic imagery, ensuring the surreal elements aligned with themes of confronting inner struggles.^[51] Filming commenced in May 2010 and spanned five weeks across multiple U.S. locations, including street scenes in Newark, New Jersey, on May 5; a rooftop overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City; Lake Mead in Nevada; and an oil field in Bakersfield, California.^[52][53][54] Green screen technology was employed extensively to produce the video's fantastical effects, such as Eminem's levitation, flight sequences over urban landscapes, and distorted reflections symbolizing alienation.^[10] The production was managed by DNA with Justin Si Diener as producer, under the oversight of Interscope Records.^[52] Key crew members included cinematographer Chris Probst, production designer Ethan Tobman, editor Ken Mowe, and colorist Dave Hussey at Company 3.^[52][9] Visual effects were handled by Animaholics VFX, enhancing the metaphorical narrative with dynamic integrations of fire, crowds, and ethereal movements.^[55]

Content and synopsis

The music video for "Not Afraid" opens with Eminem standing on a rooftop overlooking a cityscape, rapping lyrics directed at his critics before leaping from the edge. He then emerges from intense flames in a barren, desolate landscape.^[56][57] Throughout the video, Eminem navigates surreal urban environments, walking through crowds of masked extras portraying "demons" while reflecting his image in car windows, building surfaces, and a hall of mirrors. He steps into a massive crater in the street and levitates across a body of water, culminating in a rooftop scene where he leads a chant with a group of fans as the city burns around them.^[56][58][57] The visuals employ a desaturated color palette that gives much of the footage an almost black-and-white appearance, punctuated by vivid color bursts during the chorus sections, alongside surreal CGI elements for transitions such as the fiery emergence and the exploding, inferno-engulfed skyline.^[57][59] The video concludes with a fade on Eminem standing resolute on the rooftop amid the flames, emphasizing a sense of personal triumph.^[56][58]

Video reception

The music video for "Not Afraid," directed by Rich Lee, garnered critical praise for its artistic and symbolic execution, particularly its metaphorical depiction of personal recovery and empowerment. MTV highlighted the video's "visually stunning metaphor for addiction," emphasizing how Eminem's journey from the edge of a skyscraper to leading a crowd through urban chaos symbolized overcoming substance abuse and self-doubt. Billboard commended the innovative visual effects (VFX), describing the superhero-inspired sequences—such as Eminem leaping off buildings and defying gravity—as award-worthy for their dynamic portrayal of resilience and transformation.^[56] Audience responses echoed this acclaim, with viewers praising the video's emotional resonance on online forums, where fans noted its inspirational imagery aligning closely with the song's message of courage. The video premiered on Vevo on June 5, 2010, quickly becoming a cultural touchstone for its blend of cinematic storytelling and raw symbolism.^[56] The video received four nominations at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, including Video of the Year, Best Male Video, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing.^[60] As of July 2025, the video reached 2 billion views on YouTube, Eminem's third video to achieve this milestone. As of November 2025, it has over 2.03 billion views.^[61][62]

Performances and legacy

Live performances

Eminem debuted "Not Afraid" live at the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles on June 14, where he was backed by Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and a full choir, creating an explosive atmosphere that previewed the song's motivational energy ahead of the Recovery album release. He followed this with a performance at the BET Awards on June 29, 2010, delivering the track solo with sharp delivery and minimal staging to emphasize its lyrical introspection. The song's first major televised showcase came at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, opening the ceremony with a seamless medley into "Love the Way You Lie" alongside Rihanna; the stage featured towering flames and red lighting that mirrored the music video's inferno motif, amplifying the performance's dramatic intensity. Throughout the Recovery World Tour from 2010 to 2011, "Not Afraid" served as a setlist staple, performed at over 50 dates across North America and Europe with elaborate pyrotechnics, including bursts of fire and confetti that synced with the chorus to engage massive crowds and underscore the track's triumphant theme. In 2013, Eminem performed the song live with a full band during a BBC Radio 1 session with Zane Lowe, highlighting its emotional core in a studio setting. The track continued to appear in subsequent tours, such as the 2014 The Monster Tour and 2019 Rapture Tour sets, often as an opener to rally audiences with its anthemic build. Later appearances included a powerful solo delivery at the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on November 5, where Eminem integrated "Not Afraid" into a career-spanning medley, earning a standing ovation for its enduring relevance. By 2024, he revisited the track live at the Michigan Central Station reopening concert in Detroit on June 6, a hometown event featuring guest appearances from local artists like Big Sean and Trick Trick, blending pyrotechnics with the venue's industrial backdrop for a celebratory nod to his roots. Most recently, on October 19, 2024, Eminem closed out his set at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, with "Not Afraid," captivating a diverse festival crowd under night lights.

Cultural impact and covers

"Not Afraid" has emerged as a prominent empowerment anthem, particularly within recovery programs and mental health initiatives, where its lyrics about overcoming addiction and personal demons resonate deeply with individuals in treatment. In therapeutic settings, the song is frequently employed in lyric analysis sessions to facilitate discussions on resilience and self-empowerment among mental health consumers. Eminem's own references to the track in marking sobriety milestones, such as his 12-year anniversary in 2020, 16-year mark in 2024, and 17-year milestone in April 2025, have further amplified its role as a symbol of recovery.^[63][64][65] The song's motivational themes have also permeated sports culture, notably appearing in high-profile NFL events. During the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, Eminem accompanied Commissioner Roger Goodell to the stage with "Not Afraid" playing, eliciting a roaring crowd response and underscoring the track's association with boldness and hometown pride. This moment highlighted its broader societal role in inspiring athletes and fans to confront challenges fearlessly.^[66] In terms of adaptations, "Not Afraid" has inspired numerous covers and interpolations across hip-hop. Machine Gun Kelly's 2018 diss track "Rap Devil" notably samples the song's instrumental, repurposing its triumphant beat amid a high-profile feud with Eminem. Other artists, including parody creators like The Key of Awesome and rapper Quadeca, have interpolated its chorus in their works, extending the original's confrontational energy into new contexts.^[67][68] The track's enduring legacy continues through digital platforms, where it has fueled viral content on TikTok, amassing over 1.1 million videos featuring user-generated performances, edits, and motivational montages since 2023. This resurgence has sustained its streams and cultural relevance, reinforcing its status as a timeless call to resilience into 2025.^[69]

Formats and credits

Track listings and formats

"Not Afraid" was released in digital download and CD single formats.

Digital download

"Not Afraid" was first released as a digital download single on April 29, 2010, through Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records.^[70] The standard explicit version runs for 4:08, while the clean edit is shortened to 3:58 to remove profane language for radio play.^[70] These versions were available in AAC format at 256 kbps via platforms like iTunes.^[71]

CD single

The CD single was issued in Europe in 2010 by Interscope Records.^[25] It features the explicit main version at 4:08 and an instrumental version at 4:07.^[25] Promotional CD singles with similar track listings were distributed in various regions, including Japan and France.^[19]

Remixes

No official remixes of "Not Afraid" were released in 2010 by Boi-1da, the track's primary producer; however, fan-created extended versions appeared on digital platforms like iTunes as part of deluxe compilations.^[72]

Reissues

In 2020, to mark the 10th anniversary of the Recovery album, Eminem released limited merchandise but no dedicated digital bundle for "Not Afraid" featuring live audio from the 2010 tour.^[73] The song remains available in its original formats as part of the album's standard digital catalog. "Not Afraid" was packaged as the lead single on the Recovery album, appearing as track seven in both standard and deluxe editions.

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel "Not Afraid" credits Marshall Mathers (Eminem) as the lead artist, providing all vocals, contributing to songwriting, and handling additional production as well as mixing.^[2][74] The primary production was led by Boi-1da (Matthew Samuels), who also provided drums and co-wrote the track, with additional production from Jordan Evans and Matthew Burnett, both of whom contributed to writing.^[2][74][75] Luis Resto is credited with songwriting, keyboards, and additional production support.^[2][75] Dr. Dre served as executive producer for the album Recovery, overseeing the overall project.^[74] Recording and mixing were primarily handled by Mike Strange at Effigy Studios in Ferndale, Michigan, with assistance from Joe Strange and mixing by Eminem and Mike Strange.^[17][74]

Charts and certifications

Chart positions

"Not Afraid" debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 on May 22, 2010, becoming Eminem's third number-one hit on the chart and the 16th song in history to enter at the top spot.^[76] The track held the position for one week and spent a total of 25 weeks on the chart. It also topped the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 for one week and remained on that chart for 20 weeks. On the US Hot Rap Songs chart, "Not Afraid" reached number one and held the position for 12 weeks, charting for a total of 28 weeks. The song ranked number 24 on the 2010 Billboard Hot 100 year-end chart. Internationally, "Not Afraid" achieved strong placements on several major charts. It peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart and spent 28 weeks in total.^[5] In Australia, it reached number 4 on the ARIA Singles Chart, charting for 27 weeks. The track peaked at number 9 on the German Singles Chart (Official German Charts) for 3 weeks, with a total of 30 weeks on the chart.^[77] In France, it entered the Top Singles chart at number 97 for one week.^[78] Additional strong performances included number 1 in New Zealand (24 weeks total) and number 3 in Ireland (19 weeks total).

Certifications and sales

"Not Afraid" has achieved significant commercial certifications across multiple territories, reflecting its enduring popularity through sales and streaming equivalents. In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the single 10× Platinum (Diamond) on June 10, 2014, for 10 million units, marking it as Eminem's second digital Diamond award following "Lose Yourself".^[79] This certification was updated to 11× Platinum on March 8, 2022, encompassing 11 million units that include equivalent album sales from streaming, where 1,500 on-demand audio and/or video streams count as one unit.^[80] As of November 2025, it remains one of Eminem's highest-certified singles, driven in part by its chart-topping performance.^[80] In the United Kingdom, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded 3× Platinum certification on May 3, 2025, recognizing sales and streams exceeding 1.8 million units.^[81] In Australia, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) certified the track 5× Platinum, equivalent to 350,000 units, as reported in mid-2024 updates.^[82] In New Zealand, Recorded Music NZ certified the song 4× Platinum on August 17, 2025, for 280,000 units.^[83] Globally, "Not Afraid" has surpassed 15 million certified units as of November 2025 when aggregating major market awards, bolstered by its streaming success on platforms like Spotify, where it exceeded 1.23 billion streams as of November 2025.^[44] This milestone underscores its status as Eminem's first single to reach Diamond-equivalent certification in 2014, a feat that highlighted his recovery-era resurgence.