Lookback at Eminem's career: Review of MMLP [2000]

[Relapse.LP]

If critics thought his debut mainstream album, the Slim Shady LP [1999], was the worst he could get, they're sadly mistaken. In fact, he tunes it up in his sophomore studio-album, the Marshall Mathers LP [2000]. In this album, he's angry. Pissed.Also, he adds the homosexual to his list of enemies to diss. But his lucky family still remains his favorite target, well, for now. At least, he got over killing celebrities...

The Marshall Mathers LP was released on May 23, 2000, selling 1.76 million in its opening week, topping charts for more than a month and setting a record. On release, it was highly criticized on its extremely anti-gay and violent lyrics regarding casual murder. Groups defending lesbian and gay rights organized protests against the distribution of his music. Parents nationwide were shocked by its explicit content. (and understatement) Even Eminem added skits describing how extreme his lyrics were. But it sold. A lot. Here's a track-by-track review... Singles: Bitch Please II (promo), The Real Slim Shady, The Way I Am, Stan.

1. PSA 2000 (Skit) 5/5 (These things are always funny. The whole album got the explicit content label after the first five seconds of this.)
2. Kill You 5/5 (A gurgling and energetic beat with hard lyrics and a fire-spitting flow. Awesome.)
3. Stan 5/5 (Haunting story of over-obsessed fan. The chorus goes very well with the verses.)
4. Paul (Skit) 3.5/5 (Tells Eminem that he's gone over-the-top. Boring and disruptive.)
5. Who Knew 4.5/5 (A good beat with one of his best lyrics on the album. Reminiscent of SSLP.)
6. Steve Berman (Skit) 5/5 (This is classic hilarious. Goes nicely to next track.)
7. The Way I Am 5/5 (Lashing out against his fans and critics. Dark beat. Best flow.)
8. The Real Slim Shady 4.5/5 (One of the better poppy singles. I like his lyrics. Funny.)
9. Remember Me? 4/5 (His anger is pretty apparent. Sick beat.)
10. I'm Back 4/5 (The chorus is catchy as well. Similar to "Who Knew.")
11. Marshall Mathers 4.5/5 (Good guitar beat with some hard-hitting angry lyrics.)
12. Ken Kaniff (Skit) 4/5 (...)
13. Drug Ballad 4/5 (Dina Rae's moaning in the mic fits well. Decent song overall.)
14. Amityville 4.5/5 (The snares are haunting and he spits so well. Bizzare's flow is good with this particular track. Sick lyrics.)
15. Bitch Please II 5/5 (The beat is banging and the collaborations are perfect.)
16. Kim 3.5/5 (It's scary, yeah, but besides the shouting, there's not much more to the song.)
17. Under the Influence 3.5/5 (I dislike D12 collaborations. The chorus is stupid as well.)
18. Criminal 4/5 (Sound similar to "Still Don't Give A Fuck." The lyrics are extremely homophobic and the beat is decent. I dislike the short intermission though. Good ending to the album.)

Overall- 95% (Classic)

This studio-album is argued as one of the best Eminem albums and maybe even one of the best hip-hop albums. With the banging beats and witty lyrics, it's hard to deny it. Own this.