When “Purple Pills” hit the shelves, it split into two: one raw, one radio-friendly. But both versions helped D12 make their mark around the world.
On June 5, 2001, D12 released “Purple Pills”, the chaotic, controversial, and wildly successful second single from their debut album “Devil’s Night”. Or was it the first? That depends on where you were listening.
While “Shit on You” was released as a single in late 2000 across multiple regions, it was not included on the American vinyl, CD, digital, or streaming editions of “Devil’s Night”. It did, however, appear as a bonus track on the cassette version, as well as on the UK, European, and Australian releases. So while international fans consider “Purple Pills” the second album single, in the US, where “Shit on You” did not make the album, “Purple Pills” effectively served as the lead single, followed by “Ain’t Nuttin’ But Music” and “Fight Music”.
Either way, “Purple Pills” made a splash. Featuring Eminem, Bizarre, Proof, Swifty, Kuniva, and Kon Artis, the track was packed with outrageous drug references, surreal storytelling, and signature D12 humour. So outrageous, in fact, that radio stations would not touch it.
To avoid a total blackout, the group released a clean version, “Purple Hills”, with toned-down lyrics and a sanitised video. That version got heavy rotation on TV and radio in the US and UK, while underground stations kept the original in circulation.
Chart-wise, the song was a global hit, reaching No. 2 in the UK, Ireland, and Norway and hitting No. 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It is now certified Platinum in the US, UK, and Australia.
Looking back, “Purple Pills” stands as a perfect snapshot of the early 2000s Eminem-era style: catchy, clever, controversial, and impossible to ignore.
Listen to D12 – “Purple Pills” below:
