Rank the Best Eminem Songs
Eminem is the best-selling artist of the 2000s in the United States. Throughout his career, he has had 10 number-one albums on the Billboard 200 and five number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. With 47.4 million albums sold in the US and 155 million records globally, he is among the world's best-selling artists. Additionally, he is the only artist to have eight albums consecutively debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Rolling Stone ranked him 83rd on its list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, calling him the King of Hip Hop. After his debut album Infinite (1996) and then Slim Shady EP (1997), Eminem signed with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and subsequently achieved mainstream popularity in 1999 with The Slim Shady LP, which earned him his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. His next two releases, 2000's The Marshall Mathers LP and 2002's The Eminem Show, were worldwide successes, with each being certified diamond in U.S. sales, and both winning Best Rap Album Grammy Awards—making Eminem the first artist to win the award for three consecutive LPs. They were followed by Encore in 2004, another critical and commercial success. Eminem went on hiatus after touring in 2005, releasing Relapse in 2009 and Recovery in 2010. Both won Grammy Awards and Recovery was the best-selling album of 2010 worldwide, the second time he had the international best-selling album of the year (after The Eminem Show). Eminem's eighth album, 2013's The Marshall Mathers LP 2, won two Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album; it expanded his record for the most wins in that category and his Grammy total to 15. In 2017, he released his ninth studio album, Revival. Given Eminem's years of artistic and lyrical accomplishments, it is not surprising that fans disagree which of his works are the best. Here is a list of the most memorable Eminem tracks of all time. Rank them from your most favorite to least and help decide collectively which are the best songs by the rapper in his illustrious career.
You Don't Know
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Lose Yourself
#11.5"Lose Yourself" is a song by American rapper Eminem from the soundtrack to the 2002 motion picture 8 Mile. The song was written by Eminem and produced by Eminem along with longtime collaborator Jeff Bass, one half of the production duo Bass Brothers, and Luis Resto. It was released on October 28, 2002, as the lead single from the soundtrack. "Lose Yourself" received acclaim from music critics, with many critics praising the song's aggressive themes and describing it as Eminem's best work to date. Eminem's rapping ability, the lyrics and the production were also praised. In many retrospective reviews and lists, critics have cited the song among Eminem's finest, as well as one of the best hip hop songs of all time. "Lose Yourself" was a commercial success, peaking atop of the charts in eighteen countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia. In the United States, "Lose Yourself" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first of five Eminem singles to top the Hot 100. "Lose Yourself" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2003, making it the first ever rap song to have received this accolade, and also won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Solo Performance in 2004. In 2004, it was one of only three hip hop songs from the 21st century to have been included on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time", and was also the highest ranking, at number 166. Rolling Stone also ranked it one of the top 50 hip hop songs of all time. The song was certified quintuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and as of September 2017, it has 7.4 million downloads in the United States alone. It was ranked number 93 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs list. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 57 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".
The Real Slim Shady
#22.5"The Real Slim Shady" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his third album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). It was released as the lead single a week before the album's release. The song was later released in 2005 on Eminem's greatest hits album Curtain Call: The Hits. "The Real Slim Shady" was Eminem's first song to reach number one in the United Kingdom and it also peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, giving him his biggest hit up to that point. The song was the 14th best selling of 2000 in the United Kingdom. It won multiple awards, including MTV Video Music Awards for Best Video and Best Male Video, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 80 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years". It was listed at number 396 on NME's 500 greatest songs of all time. The song is a critique of manufactured pop songs that were popular at the time. It was a hit single, becoming Eminem's first chart topper in some countries, and garnering much attention for insulting various celebrities.
Kill You
#33.5“Kill You” is the opening track to the album The Marshall Mathers LP and is a lyrical tirade against Kim, Debbie Mathers, girlish rappers and women in general. The call-and-response part after the hook is a highlight of any given Eminem concert. "Kill You" is, arguably, the quintessential Eminem song, mainly because it manages to contain most of the ill stuff that made him a household name, namely profane references to his mom, the endorsement of drugs and alcohol (before rehab), eye-popping cartoonish violence, and digs at his own fame. But with the sick humor comes even sicker skills over a beat that entices the listener to keep the song on repeat. Upon release, critics had a field day with the unabashed woman-bashing theme, but on an artistic level this track was bubbling with creativity containing three different hooks in the same song. And, of course, it ends with the memorable, smart-alecky "I'm just playin'" quote he later resurrected for the finale of "White America." Source: www.genius.com, www.complex.com
Stan
#43.5"Stan" is a song by American rapper Eminem featuring British singer Dido. It was released on November 21, 2000 as the third single from Eminem's third album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). It was number one in eleven countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland and Australia. Dido's lyrics are actually a sample of the opening lines from her song "Thank You". The 45 King-produced track also uses a slightly modified break from "Thank You" as its base sample. Coincidentally, both songs were released as singles in late 2000. "Stan" has been called one of Eminem's best songs and is considered one of his signature songs. Rolling Stone magazine ranked "Stan" at #296 in their list in The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song was also listed at #15 on VH1's list of the greatest hip hop songs of all-time and was also named in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. The song was nominated for multiple awards, including Best Song at the MTV Europe Music Awards, Video of the Year, Best Rap Video, Best Direction, Best Cinematography at the MTV Video Music Awards, but only won Best International Artist Video at the MuchMusic Video Awards. In April 2011, Complex magazine put together a list of the 100 greatest Eminem songs, ranking "Stan" at #2. The name of the eponymous character has given rise to a slang term online which refers to overzealous, maniacal, overly obsessed fans of a celebrity or personality; the term has been included in the Oxford English Dictionary. On November 5, 2013, Eminem released a follow-up song, "Bad Guy", on his eighth album The Marshall Mathers LP 2. The song tells the story of a person named Stanley "Stan" Mitchell who claims to be the biggest fan of Eminem. Stan writes a plethora of letters to Eminem; with each verse he becomes gradually more obsessed with him, and when there is no reply he becomes progressively angrier. He finally creates a voice recording of himself driving his car into a lake, with his pregnant girlfriend in the trunk, as shown in the lyrics: "So this is my cassette I'm sending you, I hope you hear it. I'm in the car right now, doing 90 on the freeway. Hey Slim, I drank a fifth of vodka, you dare me to drive? See Slim... (Stan's girlfriend screams from the trunk) Shut up, bitch! I'm trying to talk! Hey Slim, that's my girlfriend screaming in the trunk. But I didn't slit her throat, I just tied her up. See, I ain't like you, 'cause if she suffocates, she'll suffer more, then she'll die too. Well, gotta go, I'm almost at the bridge now... Oh, shit! I forgot! How am I supposed to send this shit out?! (car tires squeal, followed by the sounds of the car crashing through the bridge's railing and falling into the river below)" The first three verses are delivered by Eminem as Stan while the fourth verse is Eminem as himself attempting to write to Stan and reason with the troubled young man, only to realize that he had already heard about Stan's death on the news.
Forgot About Dre
#54.5"Forgot About Dre" is a Grammy Award-winning single from rapper Dr. Dre's 2001, featuring vocals from rapper Eminem. The track reached No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 14 on the U.S. R&B chart, No. 32 on the U.S. Pop chart, and No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart. Released as the album's second single on January 29, 2000, like "Still D.R.E.", the song addresses Dre's critics in a defiant manner, as Dre announces his return to the hip-hop scene and reminds listeners of his significant influence on the genre. "Forgot About Dre" won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 2001 Grammy Awards. The song is considered to be a response to diss tracks made by Death Row artists on Suge Knight Represents: Chronic 2000, a compilation released by Suge Knight which takes its title from Dre's 1992 album The Chronic. The line "Who you think brought you the oldies, Eazy-E's, Ice Cube's, and D.O.C.'s, the Snoop D.O. Double G's, and the group that said 'Motherfuck the police'?" outlines Dre's importance in the rap world, the theme of the song. Eminem's verse features the bizarre violence and aggression typical of his "Slim Shady" alter ego.
My Name Is
#65.5"My Name Is" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his major-label debut album The Slim Shady LP (1999). The song samples Labi Siffre's 1975 track "I Got The...". The song was ranked at #26 on "VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 90's". "My Name Is" also was ranked #6 on Q Magazine's "1001 Best Songs Ever". The song was placed at number 39 by Rolling Stone on their list of "100 Greatest Hip-Hop songs of all time" in April 2016. The recording garnered Eminem his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 42nd Grammy Awards in 2000. Producer Dr. Dre wanted to use a sample of Labi Siffre's "I Got The ..." for the rhythm track; as revealed in the sleeve notes of the re-mastered CD of the source album, Remember My Song. Siffre, who is openly gay, stated, "attacking two of the usual scapegoats, women and gays, is lazy writing. If you want to do battle, attack the aggressors not the victims." Eminem made lyric changes and Siffre cleared the sample. During the time the song was released, Eminem and Insane Clown Posse were having a "rap feud". After the release of this song, Insane Clown Posse parodied this song with a song called "Slim Anus". "My Name Is" was later re-released in 2005 on Eminem's compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits. The song is mixed with Jay Z's song "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" and Beck's song "Loser" on the video game DJ Hero. Eminem also made a remix of it, using the most explicit version, over the top of AC/DC's "Back In Black".
Dead Wrong
#77.0"Dead Wrong" is a song by The Notorious B.I.G., taken from his third overall album, Born Again. The song features background vocals from Diddy and rap vocals from Eminem, and it was released as a single posthumously in 1999. The song samples the drum break from Al Green's song, "I'm Glad You're Mine". It was received positively by music critics. Rolling Stone wrote a positive overview: "The only real find here is the awesome "Dead Wrong," which shows B.I.G. in his prime." A.V. Club wrote that surprisingly non-whiny Eminem is a highlight. The video was set out in a similar manner to 2Pac's hit "Changes", also released in 1999, in the fact that it features clips of Biggie performing live, in interviews, clips of his music videos and showing pictures of him. Eminem's verse was cut out in the clip.
Just Don't Give a Fuck
#88.0"Just Don't Give a Fuck" (known as "Just Don't Give" in the clean version) is the debut single by American rapper Eminem. The original version appears as the only single on his debut EP the Slim Shady EP, and as a lead single on his major-label debut album The Slim Shady LP. The song samples the song "Beverly Kills" from Insane Clown Posse's album Beverly Kills 50187 and "I Don't Give a Fuck" by Tupac Shakur. Some of the song's lyrics started disputes with other white rappers, namely Everlast, Miilkbone and Vanilla Ice. All three artists later released diss tracks against Eminem. Miilkbone released "Dear Slim" and "Presenting Miilkbone" and Vanilla Ice released "Exhale" and "Hip Hop Rules" (both from his album Bi-Polar released in 2001), while Everlast had a long-lasting feud with Eminem. Although Eminem dissed Vanilla Ice in other tracks (such as "Marshall Mathers" and "Role Model"), he did not reply to either him or Miilkbone after their respective disses. The version of the song on The Slim Shady LP is one of a small number of Eminem tracks which has selective censorship on the uncensored version of the album. In the third verse, the word raped is reversed and replaced by a woman screaming.
The Way I Am
#99.0"The Way I Am" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his third album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). "The Way I Am" was released as the second single off of the album on September 7, 2000. It is also featured on his 2005 compilation album, Curtain Call: The Hits. In the tradition of most of Eminem's follow-up singles, "The Way I Am" is one of the songs for which he has the solo songwriting credit. It features a much darker and emotionally driven sound than the album's lead single, which was "The Real Slim Shady". The song is angst-ridden and ostensibly directed towards the record executives who had greatly stressed Eminem to top the success of his last album. As of the time of writing, which was shortly before the album's end of production, Eminem had yet to create any such singles that might replicate his previous success with "My Name Is", though he would soon pen "The Real Slim Shady", which would go on to be his most successful single to date. The song lashes out at those whom he perceived were placing undue burdens upon him and at overzealous fans, telling them they should leave him alone rather than harass him and his family. It features the first beat Eminem produced on his own, featuring an ominous bass line, a piano loop, and bell chimes. In the song, Eminem lashes out at people he feels are putting too much pressure on him, including overzealous fans and record executives expecting him to top the success of his hit single "My Name Is", though in fact he went on to do so with "The Real Slim Shady," as well as other songs. He delivers each line very aggressively, almost shouting them out. The song contains the line "When a dude's gettin bullied and shoots up his school, and they blame it on Marilyn...", referring to either Eric Harris or Dylan Klebold, the bullied perpetrators of the Columbine High School massacre which took place the previous year, and the resulting media backlash against Marilyn Manson. The song has also been remixed by Danny Lohner featuring Marilyn Manson, who has performed the song with Eminem live on stage. The song reached number 8 in the United Kingdom, while in the United States it did not fare as well, not charting on the top 50. In 2005 it was re-released on the album Curtain Call: The Hits. "The Way I Am" was certified Gold in Sweden, selling over 20,000 copies.
Bitch Please II
#1010.0"Bitch Please II" is a song by American rapper Eminem, featuring guest vocals from American rappers Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, and Nate Dogg, taken from Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). The song was written by Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit and Nate Dogg with, production handled by Dr. Dre and Mel-Man. The song is a sequel to the single "Bitch Please" by Snoop Dogg, released on April 29 1999.
Get You Mad
#1111.0Recorded for a disc by Wake Up Show hosts Sway and King Tech (and also released as a Slim Shady LP bonus cut), "Get You Mad" is vintage Shady at his funniest and most ruthless. "If I hurt your self-esteem and you get dissed too bad, you know I just be saying that to get you mad," This song contains various references to feuds Eminem was in during the time of release. Cage, Canibus, ICP. It was his first stab at Canibus. Off of Sway & Tech’s This or That, Eminem taunts after calling out a long list of rival stars — including LL Cool J, Insane Clown Posse, Master P, Brandy, Aaliyah and more. Sources: www.rollingstone.com, www.genius.com
Cleanin' Out My Closet
#1212.0"Cleanin' Out My Closet" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his album The Eminem Show (2002). "Cleanin' Out My Closet" was the second single released off the album following "Without Me". However, unlike the preceding single which was as his humorous Slim Shady persona, "Cleanin' Out My Closet" was a serious yet sarcastic song based on his childhood and relationships. It also depicts Eminem venting his anger towards his mother, Debbie Mathers, for the way she raised him. In the chorus, Eminem sarcastically apologizes to his mother for hurting her and making her cry, but takes it back by showing the world what his mother, according to him, was like. It became the second Top 10 single from the album, reaching number four on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart, and one of the highest-charting singles of his career. The song did not reach number one on any foreign charts, but was certified Platinum in Australia. "Cleanin' Out My Closet" was also used in the initial theatrical trailer to Eminem's film 8 Mile, released in November 2002. With the release of The Marshall Mathers LP 2 in 2013, Eminem apologized to his mother on the track "Headlights". He stated (among other things such as wrongfully mocking her drug problem, regretting that he never let his daughters meet their grandmother) that he cringes when he hears "Cleanin' Out My Closet" on the radio, and that he does not play the song in his concerts anymore.
Kim
#1313.0"Kim" is a song by American rapper Eminem which appears on his 2000 album The Marshall Mathers LP. The song reflects intense anger and hatred toward Eminem's then-wife Kim Mathers and features Eminem imitating her voice, and ends with Eminem killing Kim and later burying her. "Kim" was the first song the rapper recorded for the album, shortly after finishing work on The Slim Shady LP in late 1998. Eminem wrote this song, along with "'97 Bonnie & Clyde" (where Eminem and his daughter go to the lake to dispose of Kim's dead body), at a time when he and Kim were having marital problems and Kim was preventing him from seeing his daughter Hailie. The song has been cited as an example of misogyny in hip hop culture; it is often highlighted as one of Eminem's most memorable songs. On the clean version of The Marshall Mathers LP, this song is replaced by a clean version of "The Kids" (an unedited version can be found on the CD single of "The Way I Am", the UK and deluxe editions of The Marshall Mathers LP).
Like Toy Soldiers
#1414.0"Like Toy Soldiers" is a song by American rapper Eminem, from his fifth album Encore (2004). "Like Toy Soldiers" received positive reviews from music critics, and peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside the United States, "Like Toy Soldiers" topped the charts in the United Kingdom and peaked within the top 10 of the charts in 12 countries, including Australia and New Zealand. The song samples "Toy Soldiers" by Martika. "Like Toy Soldiers" tells the story of Eminem's attempts to calm a violent community of rappers. Eminem speaks openly about problems with The Source magazine and its editor Benzino, as well as the situation between 50 Cent and Ja Rule and his label Murder Inc., which Eminem felt went far beyond the Jay Z vs. Nas feud. The song finishes as Eminem offers a truce to his enemies. In addition, this song also reveals that Eminem had tried to stop Ja Rule & 50 Cent's feud, but lost it when he heard Ja Rule making fun of his daughter on a track called "Loose Change" - ("The Ja Shit, I tried to squash it, It was too late to stop it, There's a certain line you just don't cross and he crossed it, I heard him say Hailie's name on a song and I just lost it"). In the song "Loose Change", Ja Rule says Eminem claims his then ex-wife is "a known slut" and his mother "a crackhead", and then asks him "so what's Hailie gonna be when she grows up?". "Like Toy Soldiers" was later included on Eminem's compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits in 2005. Throughout his career, Eminem, at most, only alludes to Suge Knight, completing a line in this song, "my intentions were good, I went through my whole career without ever mentioning -." Styles P used the instrumental version in his song "Soldiers Song", in 2006. As a result of this song, Eminem refused to get himself involved in some of 50 Cent's later feuds, including Jadakiss, Fat Joe (both of whom he collaborated with in 2005), and The Game. Released on December 3, 2004, the song's video starts with two young boys, one who is white and one who is black, reading a book called "Toy Soldiers," which contains the lyrics of this song. It begins at the hospital where Eminem and other rappers are watching, in despair, the doctors trying to save D12 member Bugz (played by fellow D12 member Proof), who was killed in 1999. Eminem is then seen in a series of scenes rapping the song in a deserted alleyway, before the video goes through a series of scenes showing the various feuds mentioned in the song. They include seeing the news, rappers battling in studios, and street encounters. Near the end, Eminem stands shocked seeing the shooting of Bugz. It switches back to the hospital, where Bugz dies, and finishes at his funeral, which has a choir in which the black child and the white child from when Martika starts to sing. Cameo appearances in the video include 50 Cent, Luis Resto, Dr. Dre, Obie Trice, and D12. Dead rappers include Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Big L, and Bugz are also shown in animation form at the end of the music video to show the fatal consequences of rap wars. In a case of life imitating art, Proof himself was shot and killed on April 11, 2006 after an altercation broke out at a nightclub in Detroit, Michigan.
Guilty Conscience
#1515.0"Guilty Conscience" is a song by American rapper Eminem, featuring American hip hop record producer Dr. Dre. It was released as the third and final single from Eminem's The Slim Shady LP (1999). It was also released on his 2005 greatest hits album Curtain Call: The Hits. It samples I Will Follow Him by Little Peggy March. The song is also mentioned in another Eminem song, "The Way I Am", in which one of the lyrics in the song say that "Guilty Conscience" received poor responses; "Oh, it's his lyrical content - the song 'Guilty Conscience' has gotten such rotten responses". "Guilty Conscience" features a duel between the two rappers playing the roles of good and evil in someone's head in the manner of a medieval morality play, i.e., the angel and devil on a person's shoulders competing for possession of the person's soul. Dr. Dre is the angel; Slim Shady the devil. The song contains spoken parts and sound effects describing several conflicting scenarios building tension and curiosity, narrated by Mark Avery. Eminem is generally credited for writing Dre's verses as well as his own. The first verse of the song features the story of Eddie, 23, a frustrated young man about to rob a liquor store. Dre warns Eddie not to go through with it, telling him that the witnesses will report the robbery to the police, that it will be mentioned on the news, and that Eddie will end up on the most wanted list. Slim Shady urges Eddie to go through with his plan; he tells Eddie to go to his aunts' house and disguise himself so witnesses would not recognize him. Shady uses the poverty of Eddie's family to justify the robbery, and in the unedited version, tries to persuade Eddie to murder the store clerk, whom Dre says is "older than George Burns". Though in the song alone the end is ambiguous, the music video depicts Eddie ultimately deciding not to go through with the theft and walks away. In the next verse, the 21-year-old Stan takes an underage girl upstairs during a rave party. In the Director's Cut music video, the scene takes place at a fraternity party. Eminem attempts to convince Stan to date-rape the girl over Dre's protests and warnings about jail time for statutory rape, and it is left somewhat vague whether or not Stan goes through with it. This is not the same Stan as featured in Eminem's popular track Stan. Dre refers to the 1995 movie Kids in which the climax scene shows a teenage boy date-raping a girl who is infected with HIV. In the uncensored version of the song, Slim Shady suggests unprotected sex in an earlier refrain. Shady also references Funkdoobiest front man Son Doobie. In the edited version, the intensity is toned down and Slim suggests leaving the girl passed out on her parents' doorstep. The scene, especially the edited ending version, is reminiscent of a famous scene from the movie Animal House. During the narration of this scene, the song "Hoochie Mama" by 2 Live Crew is heard playing in the background at the party. In the third verse, Grady, a 29-year-old construction worker, comes home to find his wife having sex with another man in bed. In the unedited version, Slim Shady demands that Grady brutally kill his wife. When Dre tries to cut in, Slim tells Grady to leave his wife and take their kids with him, bringing up Dre's violent N.W.A past accusing him of hypocrisy, including when he says "You gonna take advice from somebody who slapped Dee Barnes?" and again when he says, "Mr. Dre, Mr. N.W.A, Mr. A.K. coming Straight Outta Compton, y'all better make way. How in the fuck are you gonna tell this man not to be violent?" In turn, Dre argues that Grady doesn't need to take the same foolish path Dre himself once took, saying "Been There, Done That". In the end, Shady's taunting pushes Dre into agreeing that Grady should murder both his wife and her lover. This particular ending caused a lot of controversy, especially since it was left in the edited version of the song. This song was referenced multiple times in Eminem's next album, The Marshall Mathers LP.
Till I Collapse
#1616.0"Till I Collapse" is a song by American rapper Eminem. It was released from his fourth studio album, The Eminem Show, during 2002. It is the 18th track on the album, and features American rapper Nate Dogg in the chorus. The song samples the "stomp-stomp-clap" beat made famous by the rock band Queen on their song "We Will Rock You" (1977). Although it has never been released as a single, it has charted on a few occasions when other Eminem albums have been released. In 2012 it was certified double-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for digital sales of 2,000,000 copies in the United States. In the second verse, Eminem makes references to several rappers who he believes are the best in the industry. The list, not in order, is Reggie (Redman), Jay-Z, Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., André 3000, Jadakiss, Kurupt, Nas and then himself. David Browne wrote that this song is about underrating Eminem himself: "In songs like the trudging 'Till I Collapse (...) he tells how persecuted he's been by the government, how his lyrics are constantly misinterpreted, and how [he'll] probably never get the props [he]... [deserves]. DX Magazine called this song "massive hand-clap driven beat." Steve Juon wrote in his favorable review, "Wrapping up the album are "Till I Collapse," another surprisingly militaresque track." Kris Ex described "'Till I Collapse" as an "all paranoid horror-movie instrumentation bottomed with arena-rock grandeur." On October 9, 2013, WatchMojo.com rated 'Till I Collapse number 7 on their 'Top 10 Eminem Songs'.
Marshall Mathers
#1717.0The title track off The Marshall Mathers LP is a direct reaction to the turmoil his life went in to after the release and runaway success of The Slim Shady LP, most notably the lawsuit his mother Debbie Mathers brought against him for defamation due to the way she was portrayed on that first record. Backed by amplified acoustic guitar strumming and some catchy singing by Eminem on the hook, the title track to the album some argue is his best long unloads. The line "Now everybody's so happy and proud/I'm finally allowed to step foot in my girlfriend's house" is instantly recognized by anyone who has been in one of those relationships where the family doesn't like the significant other. On a roll, Eminem takes time to roast pop and rival rap groups as well. Sources: www.complex.com, www.genius.com
White America
#1818.0"White America" is a political hip hop song by rapper Eminem released in 2002 from his fourth studio album, The Eminem Show. The song was also performed at the MTV Video Music Awards. It is the first full song on the album, and describes Eminem's rise to prominence and allegations from parents and politicians that he had influenced criminal behavior on young white Americans. "White America" is segued into by the opening skit "Curtains Up" on The Eminem Show, which involves Eminem walking up to a microphone to make a speech. It addresses the controversy stemming from Eminem's lyrical content, and impacting white youth, expressed with lines such as: "I speak to suburban kids, who otherwise would've never knew these words exist." "Eric" and "Erica" are personifications of any white youth (although their names are references to Eric David Harris) and refers to allegations that he affected their behavior and lifestyle. Eminem also expressed his belief that he's better-received by African Americans, who were more aware of rap music, with lines such as: "Hip-Hop was never a problem in Harlem, only in Boston." Eminem also states his belief that his skin color helped with his popularity, and in effect introduced white fans to his producer, Dr. Dre, although earlier in his career it had prevented him from being taken seriously. The song also discusses the freedom of speech of the US Constitution through attacks on the then-Second Lady of the United States Lynne Cheney and her predecessor Tipper Gore, who questioned Eminem's legitimacy to freedom of speech and introduced the Parental Advisory sticker respectively. "White America" had an animated music video that featured imagery related to the lyrics, including Eminem on a wanted poster and later being lynched while the US Constitution is torn up in the foreground.
Role Model
#1919.0"Role Model" is a song by American rapper Eminem, that features on his major-label debut album The Slim Shady LP. The song also appears on the deluxe edition of his compilation album, Curtain Call: The Hits. Released as a single in 1999, following "My Name Is", a music video was made, using the heavily censored radio edit. It became a minor hit on the US charts. Eminem claimed the song is essentially about suicide, which may be mocking his own experiences in 1996. During the song, he also mocks unsuitable role models, who people will mimic regardless of the things they do. Eminem makes fun of Canibus' claim that he ghost writes LL Cool J's raps by jokingly accusing Canibus of not writing his own raps. The radio edit goes further into this situation with the line "Six mics in The Source - they borrowed one from LL's arm." In the song, Eminem raps "Some people only see that I'm white, ignorin' skill, 'cause I stand out like a green hat with an orange bill. But I don't get pissed, y'all don't even see through the mist. How the fuck can I be white? I don't even exist" mentioning early controversy as he struggled to gain notice in a predominantly African American industry that, among most in the industry, spend most of their time smoking blunts according to their raps. The idea behind it is that if they smoke that much weed, then they couldn't see him because he camouflages in with the smoke. "Role Model" also addresses controversy against Hillary Clinton, who Eminem claims "tried to slap me and call me a pervert/I ripped her fucking tonsils out and fed her sherbet", and Cage, who is referenced in the line "Cause when I drop this solo shit, it's over with/I bought Cage's tape, opened it and dubbed over it".
Renegade
#2020.0"Renegade" is a song by rapper Jay-Z, which appears as the 12th track on his sixth album The Blueprint. The song is written by Jay-Z, Eminem, and Luis Resto and produced by and features Eminem, who is the only guest appearance on the album with rap verses. It was originally a collaboration between Eminem and Royce da 5'9" as part of the Bad Meets Evil series, but Royce was later replaced by Jay-Z. The original can be found on mixtapes and has been leaked onto the internet. The Jay-Z version of the song, released in 2001 as featured on The Blueprint, was later included as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of Eminem's 2005 greatest hits album, Curtain Call: The Hits. The song is referenced by rapper Nas on his famous diss record Ether made during their highly publicized feud. Nas says to Jay-Z that "Eminem murdered you on your own shit;" stating that he felt Eminem outperformed Jay-Z on Jay's own song. Years later Jay admitted the Nas claim in "A Star Is Born". Nas and Jay-Z had both contributed to the soundtrack of Eminem's 2002 film 8 Mile, with Nas' contribution, "U Wanna Be Me", being a diss towards Jay-Z. The song has different meanings to both artists. Jay-Z's two verses deal with his fatherless childhood, and how financial difficulties faced by his mother forced him to sell drugs for survival (thus becoming a renegade to society). He states his demeanor was "30 years [his] senior," implying that hardships he faced during his childhood forced him to grow up and make adult decisions from a young age. Jay-Z argues that his music is the product of his rough upbringing, and that it speaks to others going through the same problems. Thus, he dismisses critics who lump him together with artists who only rap about "jewels". He accuses these critics of simply "skimming" through his music, instead of listening thoroughly. On the other hand, Eminem deals with the public perception of his music. At the time, Eminem was at the center of many criticisms due to the content of his lyrics. His references to drug use and religion caused many parents to publicly denounce his music. Eminem sees this outcry as hypocritical, claiming that these parents are using him as a "media scapegoat" to deflect attention away from their own shortcomings as parents. Royce da 5'9"'s first verse was used as a demo verse for Eminem's verse on the song "Dead Wrong". Both of his verses are to state that Eminem and he are liable to kill if the need is felt. Ultimately, both Jay-Z (or Royce da 5'9") and Eminem use the hook to say that, while they may face public disapproval for different reasons, they will not change their behavior and have "never been afraid to talk about anything".
'97 Bonnie & Clyde
#2121.0"'97 Bonnie & Clyde" is a song by American rapper Eminem. The song appears on the Slim Shady EP (as "Just the Two of Us") & The Slim Shady LP. Eminem recorded a prequel for The Marshall Mathers LP, "Kim". The song features Eminem dumping his ex-wife, Kim Mathers' corpse in the lake with his then-infant daughter Hailie. The sounds played at the beginning of the song, including the jingling of keys and the slamming of a car door, imply that Eminem put Kim's body in the trunk of his car. These are the same sounds played at the end of the song "Kim" by Eminem. In "Kim", the lines immediately before the sounds are heard. Eminem got the idea to write this song at a time when Kim was stopping him from seeing his daughter.
Any Man
#2222.0This song, from the 1999 Rawkus Soundbombing 2 compilation, was one of the last indie/underground things Eminem ever did. The beat samples Minnie Riperton’s “Adventures in Paradise” and David Axelrod’s “The Mental Traveler.” This fiendish tune, recorded for underground mainstay Rawkus Records' Soundbombing II compilation, features some of Em's most provocative rhymes ever ("I hope God forgives me for my sins/It probably all depends on if I keep killing my girlfriends"). Depending on how you feel about over-the-top fictional violence, it's either wickedly clever or incredibly offensive. The reference to Rawkus in the song Stan actually points to "Any Man" as Eminem was recording for Rawkus. The New York–based indie label was a champion of backpack rap, and he himself represented "real" hip-hop at places/events like the Hip-Hop Shop in Detroit and the Rap Olympics. In the late '90s, there still existed a "no sell-out" spirit, which is reflected in the opening lines: "Hi!/Original Bad Boy on the case, cover your face/Came in the place blowed and sprayed Puffy with Mase." Eminem is in complete control here as he glides along with the bouncy rhythm serving up punchlines ("Your style is like dying in my sleep, I don't feel it") and soon-to-be-familiar content about the main females in his life: his mom ("Somebody dropped me on my head and I was sure/That my mother did it, but the bitch won't admit it was her"), Kim ("I hope God forgives me for my sins/It probably all depends on if I keep on killin' my girlfriends"), and Hailie ("Somethin', somethin', somethin, somethin' I get weeded/My daughter scribbled over that rhyme, I couldn't read it"). Sources: www.genius.com, www.rollingstone.com, www.complex.com
Criminal
#2323.0Criminal is the 18th and final track on The Marshall Mathers LP. "Criminal" was based on a piano riff that Marshall overheard producer Jeff Bass playing in the next studio, he also gave Mathers the inspiration for "Marshal Mathers" after hearing him struming a guitar. This final song on The Marshall Mathers LP provides plenty of examples of and excuses for Em’s violent rhetoric. Some the lyrics on the record have been call Homophobic like with the song Criminal with the line "My words are like a dagger with a jagged edge/That'll stab you in the head whether you're a fag or les...Hate fags?/The answer's yes." which promoted GLADD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) to protest the album to get it pulled off the shelves. Eminem responded to GLADD saying "I think its hard for some people to understand that for me the word 'faggot' has nothing to do with sexual preference. I meant something more like assholes or dickheads." and later said in an interview with The New York Times about same-sex marriages being legalized in Michigan "I think if two people love each other, then what the hell? I think that everyone should have the chance to be equally miserable, if they want". He said that his "overall look on things is a lot more mature than it used to be."
Wake Up Show Freestyle
#2424.0Back in the Nineties, L.A. radio staples Sway and King Tech documented sessions recorded during their Wake Up Show broadcast on the Wake Up Show Freestyles series. Numerous volumes feature Eminem. This Wake Up Show Freestyle is the last time Eminem and Biggie Smalls AKA Notorious B.I.G. would collaborate together on a song. The show took place on March 1st 1997 which was 8 Days before B.I.G.'s Death on March 9th 1997.
Brain Damage
#2525.0Brain Damage is a song from Eminem's major label debut album, The Slim Shady LP. It is 3 minutes and 46 seconds long, and he monologues about traumatic experiences that he's had in the past. There are also segments where he talks about how fucked up his mind is. It is not a single, so there is no music video and only live performances.
Rap God
#2626.0"Rap God" is a song by American rapper Eminem. The song premiered via YouTube, on October 14, 2013, and was released in the US on October 15, 2013 as the third single from Eminem's eighth studio album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013). It contains references to previous conflicts in Eminem's career, as well as to other rappers' conduct. The song received very positive reviews, with critics praising Eminem's lyrical ability and rapping speed. The song entered the Guinness World Records as the hit single which contains the most words (which includes 1,560 words), but then replaced by MC Harry Shotta's song "Animal" (which includes 1771 words) in the 2017 edition of Guinness. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance, but lost to Kendrick Lamar's "i". The song references a line from the first Marshall Mathers LP, on the song "I'm Back", where he talks about the Columbine High School massacre, rapping "Seven kids from Columbine; Put 'em all in a line, add an AK-47, a revolver, and a nine." The verse was censored when originally released, and is included in "Rap God" to test public reaction. Eminem references the Lewinsky scandal in order to demonstrate his longevity as a dominant force in the rap industry, thus establishing himself as an "immortal god". Additional references include a conflict between Fabolous and Ray J, Heavy D & the Boyz, planking, The Walking Dead, J. J. Fad's 1988 song "Supersonic", Tupac Shakur, Run-DMC, Pharaohe Monch, Rakim, N.W.A, Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, Ice Cube, MC Ren, Busta Rhymes, Lakim Shabazz and the 2008 Hotstylz song "Lookin Boy".
If I Had
#2727.0If I Had is a song by Eminem on The Slim Shady EP and The Slim Shady LP. It is 4:05 minutes long. It is thought to be about Eminem wanting the entire world to go "fuck" themselves and bow down to him because they doubted him, and he proved them wrong.
Without Me
#2828.0"Without Me" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fourth studio album The Eminem Show (2002). "Without Me" was released as the lead single from the album, and re-released on his greatest hits compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits (2005). "Without Me" is one of Eminem's most successful singles, reaching number two in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and number one in fifteen countries. It is one of his most well-known and most recognizable songs. The song is included in the soundtrack for the 2016 film Suicide Squad. The song was Eminem's return after the successful The Marshall Mathers LP, intended as a sequel to "The Real Slim Shady" and essentially saying that he is back to save the world. It also refers to Eminem's role in the music industry and his effect on culture. The song mocks a number of Eminem's critics, including then-Vice-President Dick Cheney (including his recurring heart problems) and his wife Lynne, the FCC, Chris Kirkpatrick (of NSYNC), Limp Bizkit and Moby,[3][4] as well as parodying Prince's decision to change his name to a symbol. It also lampoons comparisons of him to Elvis Presley as a white man succeeding commercially in a predominantly black art form. A line also attacks his mother Debbie Mathers for the lawsuit she filed for the lyrics of his debut single "My Name Is". The opening lyric "Two trailer park girls go round the outside" is based on the single "Buffalo Gals" by Malcolm McLaren and mocks underground artist Canibus, while the introduction — "Obie Trice, real name, no gimmicks" — is sampled from Obie Trice's own track "Rap Name". Some of the lyrics are altered on the clean version, such as "This is about to get heavy" replaced "This shit's about to get heavy". Also, "Fuck that, cum on your lips, and some on your tits" is changed to "Jump back, jiggle your hips and wiggle a bit". The censored version also replaces "fag" with "Stan" when referring to Moby, a reference to the popular track from The Marshall Mathers LP (2000).
Scary Movies
#2929.0Thanks to "Nuttin' To Do"'s release just as Eminem's popularity was soaring with The Slim Shady LP, the Bad Meets Evil 12-inch was popular enough to breach the Billboard rap charts. However, the B-side was the real winner. Eminem delivers an absolute blackout verse as "The one man that will drive off of the Grand Canyon/And hop out of a Grand Am and land in a hand-standing." The Source co-founder Jonathan Schecter's Game Recordings — which also had a side hustle in "Game Girls" softcore DVDs — released the tracks with cover art that featured porn stars Crystal Knight and Midori. Sources: www.rollingstone.com
Roman's Revenge
#3030.0"Roman's Revenge" is a song by Trinidadian rapper and singer Nicki Minaj, featuring American rapper Eminem, from Minaj's debut studio album Pink Friday. It was written by Minaj, Eminem, Kaseem Dean and Trevor Smith, and was produced by Swizz Beatz. It was released exclusively on October 30, 2010 through the US iTunes Store, as a promotional release preceding the album's release. The song initiated a feud between Lil' Kim and Minaj, where several critics felt the song was directed at Lil' Kim and regarded around her feelings towards Minaj's rise to fame. The song references Minaj's alter-ego, Roman Zolanski, and Eminem's alter-ego, Slim Shady. An official remix featuring Minaj's mentor, Lil Wayne, was released to the US iTunes Store on January 19, 2011. "Roman's Revenge" features both Nicki Minaj and Eminem rapping as their alter-egos. Minaj raps as Roman Zolanski whilst Eminem raps as his well-known alter-ego, Slim Shady. The song also marks the debut of Minaj's additional alter-ego, Martha Zolanski, who can be heard in the end of the song screaming in a British accent as Roman's mother. Minaj told MTV News that she was thinking of collaborating with Eminem for a while and in the end simply asked him. "Roman's Revenge" features both rappers exchanging bars over a "spastic beat" produced by Swizz Beatz. It is introduced with a series of digital effects and ominous strings, which Matthew Wilkening of AOL Radio compared to "some old video game". After the introduction, the song quickly starts with "a hiccuping series of computerized samples pushed forward by sporadic, tinny electronic drums" and only rests during "occasional baths of warm keyboards brightening." The beat of the song lays an intense dark energy with weighty knock of the drums and bass line. The "clattering" instrumental creates an angry tone for the most aggressive run of tracks. The production for the track is mainly surrounded by pulsating strings that allows for both rappers to exchange verse's in violent ways, and adds to the drama of the song. Lyrically, "Roman's Revenge" has been described as "unrelenting", "bonkers", "angry" and "outrageous". Critics found Minaj's lyrics as intense and incisive, but Eminem's rap has been noted as being similar to his earlier work and contains misogyny and homophobia. Many critics questioned Minaj's alter-ego, Roman Zolanski, as being an "angry gay male" because it was expected that the rappers would go toe-to-toe in-between verses. The song makes references to Disney's Princess Jasmine and Aladdin, iPods, and New York Giant Eli Manning as well as the song "Scenario" by A Tribe Called Quest, the latter of which is referenced through the line "Rawr, rawr like a dungeon dragon" which is taken from Busta Rhymes' verse in "Scenario."
Love the Way You Lie
#3131.0"Love the Way You Lie" is a song recorded by the American rapper Eminem, featuring Barbadian singer Rihanna, from Eminem's seventh studio album Recovery (2010). The singer and songwriter Skylar Grey wrote and recorded a demo of the song alongside the producer Alex da Kid when she felt she was in an abusive romantic relationship with the music industry. Eminem wrote the verses and chose Rihanna to sing the chorus, resulting in a collaboration influenced by their past experiences in difficult relationships. Recording sessions were held in Ferndale, Michigan, and Dublin, Ireland. Backed by guitar, piano and violin, the track is a midtempo hip-hop ballad with a pop refrain, sung by Rihanna, and describes two lovers who refuse to separate despite being in a dangerous love–hate relationship. Interscope Records released the song in August 2010 as the second single from Recovery. Critics praised its melody but were divided on thematic aspects such as poignancy and accuracy. Eminem promoted the single with performances at the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo, the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards and festivals. The music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, stars Dominic Monaghan and Megan Fox in a violent relationship and shows Eminem and Rihanna in front of a burning house. The clip had a mixed reception due to scenes of domestic violence. Reporters suggested that the song and its accompanying video were influenced by Eminem's and Rihanna's relationships with their respective ex-lovers Kimberly Scott and Chris Brown. Critics listed "Love the Way You Lie" among the best tracks of 2010 and of Eminem's career. The song won many awards and received five Grammy nominations. It is Eminem's best-selling single and ranked number one on several record charts, including the United States' Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks. The single sold six million copies in the US and was the best-selling song of 2010 in the United Kingdom. Musical acts such as Cher Lloyd and The Band Perry have performed cover versions. Rihanna has said that the theme of domestic violence, a topic on which she claims many people do not have insight, is what makes the song effective. She later recorded "Love the Way You Lie (Part II)", narrated mostly from her perspective.
So Far ...
#3232.0In this song, Eminem rambles on about how far he’s got, with the positives and negatives about it. It is a classic Eminem track with references to many of his old songs. One of the many things Complex's 2009 cover story with Eminem revealed was that Eminem was a hardcore luddite. You might think your mom is bad with her cell phone, but Eminem apparently doesn’t even know how to use a computer. That hint of light-hearted personality sometimes gets lost in Eminem’s music, especially because he dealt with so many heavy issues later in his career. So it’s amusing to hear him rap and sing on "So Far" about needing to be an expert on computers just to hear a Ludacris song right before singing about how he has millions of fans on Facebook. We wish we had a video of someone explaining what Facebook was to Eminem, we imagined it wouldn’t be too different from this. Sources: www.genius.com, www.complex.com
Love Game
#3333.0Eminem and Kendrick used this track as a way of expressing their love for women. However this game of love has and owes no commitment to anyone in the game. She can do who she wants, when she wants, and however she wants. However they can’t leave the game ever, even when it seems like too much to deal with. It’s a never-ending cycle because they don’t want to be alone forever most likely. It’s also interesting to note that Kendrick is the only guest MC on the MMLP2 and the only feature between Em and K.Dot so far. Sources: www.genius.com
Headlights
#3434.0"Headlights" is a song by American rapper Eminem, featuring Fun's lead singer Nate Ruess. It features production from Emile Haynie, Jeff Bhasker, and Eminem himself. In the song, Eminem apologizes to his mother, Debbie Mathers, for criticizing her in his earlier songs and for showing scorn and resentment towards her in the past. It was released on February 5, 2014 as the album's fifth and the final single. It peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100. Eminem has had a difficult relationship with his mother since childhood. In his music, Eminem has had a history of insulting his mother on various songs, including his debut single, "My Name Is", "Role Model", "Kill You", "My Mom", "Without Me", "Marshall Mathers", "Criminal", and most notably "Cleanin' Out My Closet." "Headlights" is an apology to his mother for the years of insults and "his plea for a united (or at least less dysfunctional) family." The title "Headlights" is a reference to their last meeting. As she drove away, he became fixated on the headlights of her car as he coped with feelings of "overwhelming sadness." In the song, Eminem references to a few incidences from their rocky relationship, getting kicked out of the house on Christmas Eve, constant fighting, and his younger brother Nathan's removal to foster care. He also expresses regret that he has never let his mother be involved in his children's lives. In the song he acknowledges that his mother wrongfully endured the brunt of the blame for his tough upbringing and even gives her credit for her efforts to raise him as a single parent. Eminem admits that he remains estranged from his mother to this day. He also states that he cringes when he hears "Cleanin' Out My Closet" on the radio and he no longer performs it at shows. In an interview with Sway Calloway, Eminem stated that, "everything he wanted to address" in regard to his mother is on "Headlights" and he likely will not speak on the topic outside of that particular song. He also told Zane Lowe that "It was one of those things that’s bothered me for a little bit. It was one of those things that I needed to get off my chest. So I don’t really have anything to elaborate or expand on that record other than everything that I needed to say, I put on that record."
Mockingbird
#3535.0"Mockingbird" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fifth studio album Encore (2004). It was released as the fifth single from the album in April 2005. It peaked at number eleven on the Billboard Hot 100, and number four in the United Kingdom. It received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance. "Mockingbird" was later included on Eminem's greatest hits compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits (2005). The song is another that addresses Eminem's relationship with his daughter Hailie Jade, his adopted daughter Alaina and his relationship with his wife Kim. The single cover features a still from the video with Eminem sitting on the couch. This song was also featured on the 2005 compilation album Now That's What I Call Music 19 (U.S. series). The lyrics are a personal, undisguised account of his early relationship with his wife and daughters. Critics praised the song for its lyrics. This song mixes an original rap dialogue about Eminem's failed marriage, as he apologizes to his daughters with a straight melodic version of the traditional "Mockingbird" lullaby called "Hush, Little Baby". The second verse is about the difficulties including Kim and Eminem's divorce and the beginning of Eminem's fame.
3hree6ix5ive
#3636.0Recorded under the moniker Old World Disorder, this rare duet with rapper Skam is Stan's (One of Eminem's alter ego) favorite Eminem joint. (Well, at least that little psycho had taste.) "3hree6ix5ive" samples dialog from the film Se7en and finds inspiration from Andre 3000 for part of the hook ("What the fuck you doin'?/Man, I'm releasing anger!" is something he said on "Ain't No Thang"). The sound is definitely underground, yet Slim's diction is above the clouds: "I'll take it back before we knew each other's name/Run in the ultrasound and snatch you out your mother's frame/I'll take it further back than that back to Lover's Lane/To the night you was thought up and cock-block your father's game." This outstanding number is a peek at Eminem before the world was his. Sources: www.complex.com
Busa Rhyme
#3737.0This song is by Eminem and appears on the Mixtape Fuckin Crazy! (2001). When Missy Elliott was working on Da Real World in the late 1990s, she felt she needed Eminem on the album. “He hadn’t even came out with ‘My Name Is’ yet,” Missy says of her 1999 Eminem collaboration “Busa Rhyme” in an interview with Billboard. “I heard something of his and instantly told Tim[baland], ‘I need this guy on my album.’ Immediately when I heard him rap, I thought, ‘He’s special.’ I had the label reach out to [Dr.] Dre. He did (his verse). I heard it and thought, ‘Oh, he’s going to blow up!'” Sources: www.wikia.com, www.hiphopdx.com
My Band
#3838.0"My Band" is a song by American hip hop group D12. It was released in March 2004 as the first single from their second album D12 World. The song is a parody of the false concept that Eminem is the lead singer of the "band" D12. The single became the group's most successful outside the United Kingdom, reaching number two there, number six in the United States and number one in Australia, New Zealand and Norway. My Band was the first song to top the revamped singles chart introduced in New Zealand in April 2004. The brief introduction summarizes the song's satirical message: that Eminem is the lead "singer" of the "band" and it makes everyone else in D12 jealous and looked down upon. In the chorus, he describes how girls have confidence in the group just because he is in it, even though they “don’t even know the name of [his] band”. Eminem talks about his own popularity in the first verse and the conflict it creates within the group. He describes episodes such as female fans attempting to make sexual advances when meeting him offstage, and group member Kuniva trying to attack him with a knife when he claims that Jessica Alba is his "wife-to-be". In the second verse, Swift wrestles the mic from Eminem and then describes some of the negative consequences of this propaganda-like media coverage on the rest of the D12’s members, such as not recording with Pro Tools, being stuck driving a van while Eminem rides in a tour bus, getting their names mixed up ("I thought you were Kuniva"), and being provided a dressing room "smaller than a decimal". Kon Artis and Kuniva talk about this together in the third verse, with Eminem occasionally interjecting. The two find themselves unable to confront him. Just like Swift, Proof complains about the propaganda in his solo part, implying that people who promote this perception know nothing about the group. (To back up his point, fans yell out “Where’s Obie and Dre?”, referring to rappers Obie Trice and Dr. Dre.) He also complains that Eminem gets "ninety and we only get ten percent" after explaining that they "ain't a band" because they "don't play instruments" (in response to a fan exclaiming "I love your band!"). In the fifth verse, Bizarre, after attacking Eminem who is at the time singing in traditional boy band, attacks the media for focusing on Eminem when discussing and covering the group, and claims that he is actually the most popular member of the group. He also threatens to leave D12 on several occasions, claiming he will "start a group with The Real Roxanne". After this fifth verse, there is a short hook by Eminem (sung in boy-band style with the other members singing backup vocals), and Bizarre follows by trying to sing the chorus, which results in laughter. After that, some members yell out random comments while the others sing the song's title repeatedly. At the end of the song, Eminem sings in a Spanish-style accent about how his "salsa makes all the pretty girls want to dance and take off their underpants", then facetiously promoting his fictional next single "My Salsa" (a parody of Kelis' hit single "Milkshake"). The song then ends abruptly, followed by Eminem saying, "Where did everybody go?".
Stimulate
#3939.0An underrated gem, "Stimulate" appeared as a bonus track on the 8 Mile soundtrack, overshadowed by the more explicitly inspirational maxims of "Lose Yourself." "Stimulate" methodically reflects the approach and attitude underpinning Eminem's complex, singular human experience, conveying that sober message with the vitality of his comic rants. It's a sound of regret and confidence, depletion and resolve, uncertainty and power, swirling in an unsteady cocktail. Rather than escalating any one mood, the song stays dysphoric and ambiguous. The woozy, flanging guitar tone and overall production suggests a sedated edginess, as Eminem's voice shows signs of cracking. The sonic unease contradicts Eminem's lyrics – "I'm just partying," the Slick Rick-referencing "I'm just a man who's on the mic" – as if he were recognizing that the expressive form he once loved had become its own kind of cage. Sources: www.rollingstone.com
Infinite
#4040.0This is Eminem’s first song from his identically titled first album - Infinite (1996). The title is an ode to scientific concepts, such as “infinity” – the concept of having no limits or boundaries in time, space, extent, or magnitude. It was produced by Mr. Potter. On Friday, November 18, 2016, “Infinite” was re-released as a single after being re-produced and re-mastered for the 20th anniversary on Infinite—Eminem’s debut album. The single is available on every major streaming service, as well as iTunes & Amazon. Years before meeting Dr. Dre, Eminem recorded the Infinite LP for a local Detroit label in hopes of building his buzz. Virtually no one heard it at the time – it reportedly sold about a thousand copies. But his one-in-a-million lyrical skills were already there, as heard on the acrobatic title track: "Yo, my pen and paper cause a chain reaction/To get your brain relaxin'/The zany-actin' maniac in action..." Sources: www.rollingstone.com, www.genius.com
My Fault
#4141.0The song "My Fault" appears on the album The Slim Shady LP (1999). Actually, Slim Shady LP's 46-second "Lounge (Skit)" spurred Eminem to write "My Fault," the intricate story song that follows it on the tracklist. Eminem's talent for storytelling and doing funny voices elevates this skit disguised as a song. Things begin with Eminm trying to get with some girl at a house party, so he slides Susan some mushrooms, except she ends up eating the whole bag. What ensues plays out like the most radical Skinemax teen sex comedy about recreational drug users. Eminem's ability to bring out the personalities (and sometimes even background info) in all his characters pays off. In this case, Susan has "daddy issues," which the overdose has brought to the surface. We shouldn't laugh, but we do. The song fades to black with Eminem bawling his eyes out, fearing what might happen to the girl. What do you know, he has a "guilty conscience" after all. The skit's silly tune, sung by Bass Brothers producer Jeff Bass ("I never meant to give you mushrooms, girl") got Eminem thinking about the time one of his friends had a bad drug trip. "He was talking about how worthless he was and how messed up his life was," Eminem said in the 2006 David Stubbs book Eminem: The Stories Behind Every Song. In "My Fault," the friend's gender is flipped into Susan, one of four characters Eminem alternately describes, comically and grotesquely, throughout the song's narrative of an unruly rave party. Sources: www.rollingstone.com, www.complex.com, www.wikia.com
The Last Hit
#4242.0As his fame ballooned at the turn of the millennium, Eminem was still reaching back to the (mostly East Coast) underground that had inspired and sustained him since before his 1996 debut album Infinite. Hence, this fiery boom-bap scratchfest from the Rawkus debut of Philadelphia duo High & Mighty. With samples of EPMD's "Never Seen Before" and Hambone's Salsoul disco-funk banger "Hey Music Man" lending the veneer of a vintage buddy-cop flick, Eminem trades bars with Mr. Eon. However, this is Slim Shady's showcase and he goes bonkers, gobbling acid and snatching mics: "Escaped Bellevue, stuffed the nurse in a purse/Disperse like I added too many words in a verse." With production that reminds you of some lost, funky '70s police TV show and fresh turntable wizardy ("Shady! That's me!" ""Slim Shady!" "Naughty rotten rhymer") courtesy of DJ Mighty Mi, "The Last Hit" reaches high levels of hip-hop bliss. The teaming of Mr. Eon and Eminem is a natural fit with no shortage of bravado. Em, poised to graduate to center stage, gives a preview of other records to come: "I'm flabbergasted off two tabs of acid/Threw my baby's mother in the hatchback and latched it." Sources: www.rollingstone.com
Stir Crazy
#4343.0Eminem on a Kanye West beat? Yes, it happened on this deep cut from Tell Em Why U Madd, the lone album from the Madd Rapper (a.k.a. Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie from Puff Daddy's Hitmen squad). When Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie of the Hitmen – the production squad responsible for Bad Boy Records' array of Nineties smashes – assembled his debut "Madd Rapper" album, Eminem was one of the few currently popular rappers with whom he hadn't worked. "I called him up and said I was a fan of his, and he said he was a fan of mine, too," D-Dot told MTV News in 1999. Collaborating with a then-unknown Kanye West as co-producer, the result is a loony game of wits between an upstart Slim Shady (fresh off his "My Name Is" success) and D-Dot's churlish Madd Rapper persona. "Psyche, no bread/Fucked up in the head/Shot my girl and my sister 'cause I caught them in bed," rhymes the Madd Rapper in a punchy Nuyorican flow reminiscent of the Beatnuts. But Eminem is clearly the superior stylist, dropping oddball stanzas like "I'm crazy with this razor/With this razor I'm crazy/With this crazor I'm razy/Razor cray, I'm crazy!" The Madd Rapper eventually concedes defeat: "Fuck that, Slim, keep that for yourself/You a crazy white dude and you need some help." Sources: www.rollingstone.com
Shady Cxvpher
#4444.0To promote the 2014 compilation Shady XV, an album created to celebrate the 15 year anniversary of Shady Records, the members of Slaughterhouse (Kxng Crooked, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5'9"), Yelawolf and Eminem recorded extended a capella verses in their respective hometowns for Vevo in the 18-minute video "Shady Cxvpher." In his seven delirious minutes, the rapper blends introspection ("Became a millionaire, went downhill from there"), breakneck double-time rhymes, tasteless barbs at media figures and some brutal honesty ("I think of all them times I compromised my bottom lines/And thought of rhymes that sodomized your daughter's minds/Then I'm like: dollar signs.") "It's about longevity. To me, the verse says, 'After all the years of classic material, I am still one of the illest rappers to ever do this shit,'" Kxng Crooked tells Rolling Stone. "Being a wordsmith in rap music is a dying art. Connecting syllables, metaphors, punchlines and similes is a dying art. For those of us who still love rapping for the sake of showing how good one can rap, Eminem is our only mainstream voice." Usually in cyphers the emcees stand in a circle as they deliver their verses, but Shady puts their own spin to it. Each featured artist is located in their respective hometowns in the video while they spit lyrical warfare. It’s also worth noting this a whopping 18 minute session.
Calm Down
#4545.0"Calm Down" is a song by American rapper Busta Rhymes, released as the third single from his upcoming tenth studio album, E.L.E.2 (Extinction Level Event 2). The song features American rapper Eminem and was produced by Scoop DeVille. It was released for digital download on July 1, 2014 by The Conglomerate Entertainment and Empire Distribution. In September 2013, Busta Rhymes confirmed the collaboration in an interview with XXL, saying: "I’ve got a six-minute record with Eminem that sounds like we are respectfully trying to battle each other in a way that you probably never heard us battle in our entire careers on a record. So it’s lot of real incredibly golden moments for us on this project." In January 2014, the song's producer Scoop DeVille spoke about the song in an interview with Vlad TV, saying that "That's the next record that's going to, I'd say destroy the streets of New York and Hip Hop in a lot of ways" and "bring back Busta in a major way." He revealed that the song, 6 minutes in length, had been worked on for a long time and was planned to have an accompanying music video as well. In July 2014, during an interview with Power 106, Busta explained that as he and Eminem kept going "back and forth" in a competitive, battling manner, the song went from three minutes and eight seconds to 6 minutes. Busta continued: "We [were] like, 'Yo, listen, it's one thing to say F the rules, but it's another thing to say we're O.D.ing," and called the song a "special," "beautiful piece of art." In a July 2014, interview with Complex, Busta explained how the song came together. Scoop provided Busta with the instrumental, which Busta "loved". He immediately recorded two 16-bar verses and titled the song "Calm Down". After "marinating" on the song for some time, Busta felt that it "would be an incredible record for Eminem to get on" and called his own manager Chris Lighty, and requested him to arrange a meeting with Eminem's manager, Paul Rosenberg, to whom they gave the song, but were not informed whether Eminem would record for the song. After six weeks, Busta's associate Shaheem Reid reached out to then-Shady Records A&R Riggs Morales, who came by the studio to hear the song, and two weeks later, Rosenberg finally confirmed that Eminem "had got the beat and that he’s fucking with it." After a few months, Busta met up with Rosenberg in the studio, where Busta heard Eminem's verse and "was blown away," but was also intrigued that Eminem had a longer, 42-bar verse, which triggered "a competitive process." Busta then wrote a 50 bar verse and flew out to Eminem's studio in Detroit for a mix session, where Eminem heard Busta's new verse, which prompted him to expand his own verse to 60 bars. Busta then expanded his verse to 62 bars, and finally Eminem his own to 64 bars. Busta also spoke about how long it took to finish the song, saying: "It took us about seven months to go back and forth because we still had other commitments and tours to go on. So sometimes I would have to wait a couple of months to get Em’s new adjustment back and vice versa." Busta noted that "It started off from just doing a dope, high energy hip-hop record into us respectfully competing and damn near battling each other" and stated that he and Eminem "bring the best out of" each other and praised Eminem as someone who "genuinely still cares about the music."
Beautiful
#4646.0"Beautiful" is the fourth and final single from American rapper Eminem's sixth studio album Relapse, and was released on August 11, 2009. The song samples “Reaching Out”, originally recorded by British rock band Rock Therapy. This version of “Reaching Out” is taken from the Queen + Paul Rodgers 2005-2006 tour, which used Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” as the house music. The video was shot in Detroit, Michigan and was directed by Anthony Mandler. It premiered on July 2, 2009 on Yahoo! music. The video opens with captions stating that "in 1950, Michigan was 1 of 8 states in America that collectively produced 36% of the world's GNP" and that"Detroit was the greatest manufacturing city in the world." It then cuts to present-day images of the city, featuring Eminem walking through three abandoned structures from that era: Michigan Central Station; the former Packard plant; and Tiger Stadium, including demolition footage of the latter. In each location, he is joined by several people appropriate to each building: an older woman with a suitcase, several autoworkers holding their lunchboxes and tools, and a neighborhood youth baseball team, respectively. The song received critical acclaim. Rolling Stone called it a "touching attempt at an inspirational ballad". Pitchfork Media claim that "Relapse hits something of a stride with 'Beautiful'". Much speculation has followed as to who sang the chorus of the song, suggesting it was Paul Rodgers. "Beautiful" scored Eminem his ninth straight Top 40 single on the Billboard Hot 100, going back to "Smack That" with Akon. Billboard called the song "epic" and described it as "Part confessional ("I'm just so fucking depressed," begins the track's explicit version) and part "Lose Yourself"-style motivational anthem, "Beautiful" encapsulates the introspective nature of "Relapse" but deviates from the shock tactics that dominate the album" adding that "The song is as much a lighters-in-the-air, arena rock power ballad as it is a lyrical showcase". "Beautiful" entered the UK Singles Chart on May 17, 2009 at number 38 and re-entered at #31 due to massive airplay. It was released as the third UK single after "We Made You" and peaked at #12. It became Eminem's 21st Top 40 single in the UK but also his second official single to miss the Top 10. In the U.S., it debuted at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was on the A-List of the BBC Radio 1 playlist. In the week of July 23, 2009 it re-entered the Hot 100 at #98. The song was nominated at the 52nd Grammy Awards in the Best Rap Solo Performance category, but lost to Jay-Z's "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)".
Drug Ballad
#4747.0"Drug Ballad" showed there really was substance—and not just substance abuse—to Eminem's work. Leave it to Marshall Mathers to make a "love song" and it's all about his lust for pill-poppin' partyin'. "Drug Ballad" is a (shattered) window into the life of a rapper with a rock 'n' roll lifestyle; it's a trip to go back over a decade and hear the debauchery now that the man has cleaned up. While not exactly a cautionary tale ("If I could take it all back now, I wouldn't/I would have did more shit that people said that I shouldn't"), all the basic ingredients of excessive "good times"—drunk driving, fist fights, one-night stands, hangovers, puke, spinal-cord damage, just to a name a few—show up here, warts and all. The deep, groovy bass mixed with the sexy sanging is a lot of fun, but one wonders if he really believed in the cycle of life he rapped about in the closing: "But when it's all said and done I'll be 40/Before I know it with a 40 on the porch tellin' stories/With a bottle of Jack, two grandkids in my lap/Babysitting for Hailie while Hailie's out gettin' smashed." "You have the right to remain violent and start wildin'," Em rhymes on this funky non-ballad from The Marshall Mathers LP. The track's moaning bass and soulful back-up vocals offer some levity from the album's suffocating darkness, but the lyrics are deceptively introspective: Mathers nakedly chronicles his drug addiction – from his childhood ("In third grade, all I used to do / Was sniff glue through a tube and play rubix cube") to his much scarier adulthood as a rap superstar ("Let the X destroy your spinal chord / So it's not a straight line no more"). Sources: www.complex.com, www.rollingstone.com
Talkin 2 Myself
#4848.0"Talkin' 2 Myself" is a song by American hip hop artist Eminem, featuring Kobe who does the Chorus. It is the second track on his seventh studio album Recovery (2010). It was written by Mathers, Khalil Rahman, Chin Injeti, B. Honeycutt, and it was produced by DJ Khalid, whom Marshall had worked with often on this album. The song brings us into his mind when he was on hiatus from 2004-2009. It describes his feelings on many different topcis. One of the first topics he touches on is his urge to create songs that specifically target different rappers who were popular at the time. HE named two of them in the song. (However, people have theorized that there are subliminal disses towards these two on this very same album.) Later in the song he says ‘All these other rappers suck is all that I know.’ It is unknown if he was including the two rappers previously mentioned. In the second verse he takes the song name literally, and begins to talk to himself. He raps about his struggles with addiction and hatred towards himself for being in the position he was in at the time of his hiatus. In the third and final verse he apologizes to all who had to see him go through his addiction. He even shout outs various rappers who also were going through what he called ‘growing pains.’ In the outro he is speaking directly to everyone he was going to create songs about and also, of course, his fans. Source(s): www.wikia.com, www.genius.com
Bad Influence
#4949.0‘Bad Influence’ was a song on the ‘End Of Days’ soundtrack. In this song, Eminem states that he realises he is a role model to kids but, to paraphrase what he says in interviews, ‘it’s up to the parents to check what their kids are listening to’. He tells kids to jump off a bridge and shoot themselves just because he says so, mockingly acting as the ‘bad role model’ people categorize him as. Would future California mayor Arnold Schwarzenegger have approved of Eminem's contribution to his turgid 1999 flop End of Days? "Bad Influence" mocks the premise that celebrities can steer impressionable teenagers to harm themselves, and he gleefully screams, "C'mon! Just pull the plug!" Months later, he'd explore similar issues with much more seriousness on the classic "Stan."
I'm Back
#5050.0I'm Back is a song that appears on The Marshall Mathers LP.It was released as its 4th single in France only. "I'm Back" would appear high on a list of the most controversial Eminem songs: Even on the uncensored version of The Marshall Mathers LP, the rapper's reference to the 1999 Columbine High School shooting – "I take seven [kids] from [Columbine], stand 'em all in line/Add an AK-47, a revolver, a 9/A MAC-11 and it oughta solve the problem of mine/And that's a whole school of bullies shot up all at one time" – was bleeped out. Years later, Eminem got the last word, re-rapping the original line on "Rap God" from The Marshall Mathers LP 2. But the track's potency is barely impacted by the censorship, especially in the masterful first verse, which is giddy and assonance-heavy. "I used to give a fuck, now I could give a fuck less," Eminem raps. "What do I think of success? It sucks, too much press/I'm stressed, too much sess, depressed/Too upset, it's just too much mess, I guess." Jay-Z later paid homage by borrowing this structure on his 2007 track "Success." Although his origins are in battling, Eminem's talents as a superb songwriter have been equally responsible for his rise, and this is particularly evident in the way he pumps out a steady stream of melodic mayhem, like "I'm Back". The song is so well-structured and engaging it doesn't have to rely on pumping up the volume of the kids chanting "Slim Shady!" in the hook. Then there are the ambient sounds (nearly all his work is littered with humorous noises) that up the entertainment value even more. Last but not least, he unleashes that fearless comedy one has come to expect from him, in this case confessing his uncontrollable desire to stab J.Lo (in a good way): "I'm sorry Puff, but I don't give a fuck if this chick was my own mother/I'd still fuck her with no rubber and cum inside her/And have a son and a new brother at the same time/And just say that it ain't mine." Sources: www.wikia.com, www.complex.com, www.rollingstone.com
Bully
#5151.0Appearing on the Internet sometime before its inclusion on the semi-official Eminem mixtape Straight From the Lab, "Bully" is the best of the loosies Eminem made during his virulent war of words with Benzino and Murder Inc.'s Ja Rule and Irv Gotti. He dismisses claims that he's just a "2003 Vanilla Ice" by rhyming, "So now you try to pull the race card/And it backfires in your face hard/'Cause you know we don't play that black and white shit." Then he reflects on how death seems to hover over the genre, wondering if all the beef is worth it. He raps, "Now what bothers me the most about hip-hop is we so close to picking up where we left off with Big and Pac/We just lost Jam Master Jay, Big L got blasted away, plus we lost Bugz [of D12], Slang Ton [of the Outsidaz] and Freaky Tah [of Lost Boyz]." This tough, old-school sailor fight anthem goes hard at Benzino and Murder Inc., not just with unmerciful mockery and cold heartless threats, but with logic. Eminem knows bullies and what makes them tick. The manner in which he psychoanalyzes Ray Benzino in verse one goes beyond average "fuck you" taunts: "And he just can't see that he's manically depressed... He doesn't exist in this world... It's destroying him slowly... So he just tortures himself..." After Dr. Phil–ing Zino, he lays into Ja and Irv, gettin' a lil' Freudian with it: "But [Ja's] ass is such a puppet/Irv could shove his whole hand up it," and later, "Plus, the stylist you fucked/When you was Ecstasied up/Was just a man who's dressed up as a white bitch." The laughter stops, however, for the powerful third verse, in which Eminem accepts some blame ("Everybody's gotta be so fucking hard/I'm not excluding myself/'Cause I been stupid as well/I been known to lose it when someone says something smart") and strongly warns, "If the situation escalates any worse/We're gonna lose another soldier to this game/And if I get killed for this rap/I got a million in cash/That says I will get you back in Hailie's name." Sources: www.rollingstone.com, www.complex.com
Survival
#5252.0"Survival" is a song by American rapper Eminem. The song was initially released as a pre-order bonus when pre-ordering the video game Call of Duty: Ghosts. The song features vocals on the chorus from Liz Rodrigues of The New Royales. The song premiered on August 14, 2013 to promote the multiplayer trailer for Call of Duty: Ghosts. The song was released as the second single from The Marshall Mathers LP 2 on October 8, 2013. Upon its single release, the song debuted at number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and upon the album's release, it climbed to a new peak of number 16. In August 2013, following the release of Call of Duty: Ghosts multiplayer video, Eminem released a video explaining to his fans the new album would be released in the fall, and that a new music video was coming soon. It was also confirmed that the song would be featured within the game. This was the third time that an Eminem song was used to promote a Call of Duty game, with "'Till I Collapse" being used in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 trailer, and "Won't Back Down" being used in the Call of Duty: Black Ops trailer, in zombies mode as a hidden song and the end credits. The official music video for "Survival" was released on October 8, 2013. The music video featured Eminem rapping in front of footage of Call of Duty: Ghosts featured on a projector, with additional shots featuring elements from the game such as dogs and soldiers in their in-game outfits. The final scene features Eminem revisiting the house featured on the cover of The Marshall Mathers LP.
Just Don't Give A Fuck
#5353.0"Just Don't Give a Fuck" (known as "Just Don't Give" in the clean version) is the debut single by American rapper Eminem. The original version appears as the only single on his debut EP the Slim Shady EP, and as a lead single on his major-label debut album The Slim Shady LP. The song samples the song "Beverly Kills" from Insane Clown Posse's album Beverly Kills 50187 and "I Don't Give a Fuck" by Tupac Shakur. Some of the song's lyrics started disputes with other white rappers, namely Everlast, Miilkbone and Vanilla Ice. All three artists later released diss tracks against Eminem. Miilkbone released "Dear Slim" and "Presenting Miilkbone" and Vanilla Ice released "Exhale" and "Hip Hop Rules" (both from his album Bi-Polar released in 2001), while Everlast had a long-lasting feud with Eminem. Although Eminem dissed Vanilla Ice in other tracks (such as "Marshall Mathers" and "Role Model"), he did not reply to either him or Miilkbone after their respective disses. The version of the song on The Slim Shady LP is one of a small number of Eminem tracks which has selective censorship on the uncensored version of the album. In the third verse, the word raped is reversed and replaced by a woman screaming. The black-and-white music video for the song, interspersed with some color, is set in a trailer park in the summer. A variety of scenes, unrelated to each other, are shown, starting with a boy being stopped by a woman from taking food off a table. The boy returns as Eminem and chokes the woman. In one version, the video shows him beating her and throwing her on a bed. The video also includes scenes of people drinking and swimming in a pool. Additional scenes include aliens, a clown, and people eating watermelons.
Patiently Waiting
#5454.0“Patiently Waiting” is the first of two Eminem collaborations on this album, he also appears on “Don’t Push Me.” Despite not being released as a single, this record still managed to reach #56 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. 50 Cent is a long time friend of Eminem and former member of Shady/Aftermath/Interscope. After getting shot and dropped (from the label) in 2000, 50 Cent had been waiting to get put back on the major level again. (We wouldn't say he was patient; G-Unit had been busy revolutionizing the mixtape game.) It took two visionaries from outside the Empire State to sign him. So when he shouted out his "favorite white boy" at the start of this song and told him, "I owe you for this one," he meant the second opportunity, as well as the blazing track Em created. No longer necessary to be patient, 50 exploded: "If I get shot today, my phone will stop ringing again/These industry niggaz ain't friends/They know how to pretend." The sonic cue of the operating-room blip during Em's verse seemed to subliminally suggest that 50 had been reborn and the game wouldn't be the same. Curtis and Marshall would prove to be great allies. This was only the beginning. Sources: www.genius.com
Nail In The Coffin/The Sauce
#5555.0This song is one in a series of volleys between Eminem and The Source magazine guiding light Ray Benzino. Benzino attacked Em out of the blue in a 2003 freestyle and they would proceed to go back and forth, in one of the most severely mismatched rap battles of all time. Back in 2002 things were a little bit different than the way it is right now in hip-hop music. People were still reading The Source and people actually knew who Benzino was. Back then Ray Benzino (part owner of The Source magazine) decided to take a shot at Eminem on his track "I Don't Wanna" claiming Eminem was stealing away from black and latino contributions to hip-hop. If you don't remember Benzino's diss song I don't blame you, because neither do I. What every one does remember is how Eminem just absolutely buried Benzino with these two songs (The Sauce & Nail In The Coffin). These two retaliatory tracks are absolute career enders. Some lines from these songs are just ridiculous. Sources: www.genius.com, www.hillydilly.com
Bad Guy
#5656.0"Bad Guy" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Eminem, taken from his eighth album The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013). The song connects the second Marshall Mathers LP to the first, which was released in the year 2000. "Bad Guy" is also a sequel to Eminem's hit single "Stan", which appears on the aforementioned album. The song, produced by S1, M-Phazes, StreetRunner and Vinny Venditto, was written by the four alongside Eminem, S. Hacker, M. Aiell and Sarah Jaffe, the latter of which is featured singing the song's refrain. The song samples "Hocus Pokus", as performed by Walter Murphy and "Soana", written by Gian Piero Reverberi and Laura Giordano; as well as "Ode to Billie Joe", as performed by Lou Donaldson. "Bad Guy" was met with universal acclaim from music critics, with the most praise going towards the song's storytelling. It debuted at number 38 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, upon the album's release. In "Bad Guy", Eminem plays the role of Matthew Mitchell, the little brother of the Eminem character portrayed in The Marshall Mathers LP single, "Stan". The song "Stan" recounts the story of a crazy fan named Stan, who kills himself, his girlfriend and their unborn child because Eminem was not responding to his letters, until it was too late. On "Bad Guy," Stan's brother Matthew is older now and wants revenge against Eminem. Eminem sees Matthew "skulking around his driveway with a knife and in a novelistic flourish, he details that Matthew's "mouth is full of saliva" as he circles the house." Matthew then kidnaps Eminem, throws him in the trunk of his car, and then drives around Detroit listening to The Marshall Mathers LP. Just like in "Stan" Eminem raps the second to last verse in his perspective. Throughout the song he also makes references back to "Stan" and The Marshall Mathers LP. Into the second part of the song, the production fades out and Eminem battles his alter-ego Slim Shady in his head.
If I Get Locked Up
#5757.0On this track with Dr. Dre for Funkmaster Flex's 1999 Def Jam mixtape-album The Tunnel, Eminem is in shock mode, proving that he might be the only man who can get away with lines like, "Hell yeah, I punch my bitch/And beat my kids in public, suck my dick" If that sounds offensively unfunny, he also mocks the Columbine High School shootings ("Became a role model after Colorado/Now all they do is follow me around and yell, 'Bravo!'") and pokes fun at his beloved hero 2Pac ("If I only had some fucking hair I'd pull it/Faster than a bullet/Out of 2Pac's chest before the ambulance came too late to do it"). It used to be rap artists needed to keep their credibility intact in order to be successful. Being exposed as a former CO would have been a tough one to get out of 10, 15, 20 years ago—as was having a big MTV hit, which could only mean you were a sellout, right? Eminem had to prove to the hip-hop nation (or at least remind them) that he was still S.L.I.M. If "My Name Is" had some under the mistaken impression that Em would soon go soft, he was hitting the mixtape circuit to slap them in the face and set the record straight—and not to mention get them amped for the Marshall Mathers LP. This Latin-based rhythm produced by Rockwilder finds Eminem pulling no punches, callin' out wanksters with "a fake-ass Tupac image" who ain't tough—they "just get drunk and become talkative"—years before becoming buddies with 50 and beefing with Ja Rule. You could say "If I Get Locked Up Tonight" was a bit too prophetic, as Em would be arrested six months later on gun charges. Sources: www.rollingstone.com, www.complex.com
Go To Sleep
#5858.0Go to Sleep is a battle rap song that shows off Eminem's excellent battle rapping chops. Battling was one of the ways he proved himself when he first started rapping. But throughout his career, he has only had to resort to writing bars about other rappers on a few occasions. This was one of those occasions and he made the most of it by taking a bunch of not-so-subtle shots at Benzino and Ja Rule. By the end of it, it was more than clear that neither of them were going to be able to handle any sort of competition with Em. Eminem and Obie were both part of the Shady/Aftermath team at the time, so it is natural Obie would help Em with his beef with Ja Rule at the time. However, it wasn’t expected that DMX would join in on this, since the two had never worked together before. Both were beefing with Ja Rule at the time though, so they decided to get together for this. DMX only had a problem with Ja, but Eminem directed this song at Benzino and Ja Rule. Sources: www.genius.com, www.complex.com
What's The Difference
#5959.0Dr. Dre, Eminem and Xzibit reminded us exactly why they are all, well, different from most other artists with "What's The Difference," a potent single off 2001. But more than that, Eminem's verse on this cut is evidence of how deep his bond with Dre really is. What's the difference between Eminem and other rappers? It's that when other rappers try to show you how "ill" and "crazy" they are with depictions of graphic violence, the artistry in their lyrics don't match up with the shock of the gore. But when Eminem pens a verse about killing his daughter's mother, he punctuates it with a type of breathtaking internal rhyme pattern that you see above. Sources: www.mtv.com, www.complex.com
Love You More
#6060.0A bonus track off of Encore, Eminem goes into further detail about his and Kim’s unstable relationship. Most of the songs about he and Kim up until this point were just hateful towards her, but this song tries to show why they are they way they are. The main point is that no matter how fucked up the two of them are, there is this undeniable love between them that keeps them together. They are the type of relationships we'd like to believe exist only on Jerry Springer, but they are more common than most will admit: The sex is off-the-charts good, but when not bumpin' uglies, things are, well, ugly. That's exactly the kind of emotional turmoil that's tackled on "Love You More," an ode to marital distress in which Eminem struggles to come to terms with the woman he can't live with or without. He reveals the cold, hard facts: "I throw you on the couch/Punch you in the mouth/Fist fight 'til we turn this mother out/And apologize after/Laughter, pain, it's insane/We're back in the same chapter again." A modern-day "Thin Line Between Love and Hate," the compelling "Love You More" is dedicated to lovers caught in the hate-to-love-you/love-to-hate-you web. Sources: www.genius.com, www.complex.com
Forever
#6161.0"Forever" is a single by rappers Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem. The song is released as a single from the soundtrack to LeBron James's More Than a Game documentary. The song was also placed on the re-release of Eminem's album Relapse, entitled Relapse: Refill. Eminem performed his verse of the song at the American Music Awards of 2009. Drake performed the song with Lil Wayne, Eminem and Travis Barker at the 52nd Grammy Awards. The track was produced by Boi-1da and originally used by Kardinal Offishall featuring Rock City in early 2008, as "Bring It Back". Kardinal did not use the song for his album and it was later re-sold to Drake, who released it in late 2008 as "I Want This Forever" featuring Lil Wayne and Nut da Kidd. In an interview, Kardinal stated that his version was a leaked demo which was supposed to appear on his album, Not 4 Sale, as well as a soundtrack. The 2009 version of "Forever" features Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Eminem. Rapper Jay-Z called it the best posse cut of the year. The song title is derived from the last line of the chorus; I want this shit forever man. The music video was shot in Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami, Florida in early September 2009. However, Eminem's part in the video was shot in Detroit due to scheduling conflicts and not being able to be in Miami. The music video was shot and directed by Hype Williams. It premiered on September 22, 2009 on BET's musical program 106 & Park. LeBron James appears in the opening of the music video in the back seat of a Maybach playing online poker on PokerStars on his customized Beats by Dr. Dre's laptop. Except for during dissolves, there is not a single frame in the video where more than one of the rappers is featured. Throughout the video, there are clips and pictures from the documentary about James, More Than a Game, and of him as a kid playing basketball. Also The Alchemist, Trick-Trick, Mr. Porter and Slaughterhouse all make cameo appearances in Eminem's verse of the video behind him as he raps his verse. Birdman makes a cameo appearances in the video on Lil Wayne's verse, sitting next to him in the VIP section of the club. The music video was produced alongside the video for "Money to Blow".
Insane
#6262.0Insane is the 4th track from Eminems 6th Studio Album, Relapse. This song, released in '09, is probably Eminem's most shocking song ever. That's saying a lot, considering all the material he's recorded. The fictionalized account of child molestation and physical abuse was over-the-top ridiculous, but it still had people wondering if it was true or not. It's safe to say that no real-life predator is gonna bite the blades off a chainsaw, like the wicked stepfather in this sad, sick story of bad-touch horrors does. These deplorable actions didn't happen to a young Marshall Mathers, but do certainly happen to thousands of unfortunate kids out there today. Disturbing with a capital D, "Insane" will stay with you for a while, the cartoon imagery full of ass-rape, felching, and tragic references to Teddy Ruxpin scorched in your brain along with a shrieking track that is the musical equivalent of the shower scene in Psycho. To paraphrase the hook, is this song nuts? No, it's insane. Source(s): www.complex.com
Square Dance
#6363.0Square Dance is a song off of The Eminem Show. It is basically about other artists who want to join Eminem to make music. Eminem refers to this as Square Dancing because two people have to be involved in order for the dance to be pulled off. This song has political roots while also serving as a diss towards Canibus. In fact, the song may be a direct response to Canibus’s song “Draft Me,” in which Canibus threatens an unnamed rival and expresses a desire to fight in the war on terror, even including a quote by George Bush at the end of the song. In “Square Dance”, Eminem attacks Canibus and delivers an anti-draft, anti-war, anti-Bush message. In his book "The Way I Am", Eminem revealed that he worked on the music for this song between scenes on the set of his movie Eight Mile. He hummed his idea for the bass line to Jeff Bass and Luis Resto, who always were able to give him what he wanted after he hummed something just one time. Sources: www.wikia.com, www.genius.com
We As Americans
#6464.0Eminem isn't a political person, but sometimes he became a political rapper. Unlike most rappers, who barely even acknowledged things like the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Eminem had a field day pointing out the hypocrisy of grandstanding politicians who wanted to take him to task for cursing too much. But he got a lot more pointed on his fourth album, Encore. It features his most straight-up political song, "Mosh," but the bonus disk included "We As Americans"—a song about, of all things, the Second Amendment. After pleading guilty to possession of a concealed weapon and assault, Eminem got two years probation in 2001 which must have inspired bars like, "They took away my right to bear arms/What I'm 'posed to fight with bare palms?" The lines that really got him in trouble came during the second verse when he claimed, "I don't rap for dead presidents; I'd rather see the President dead/It's never been said, but I set precedents" which actually led to a Secret Service investigation (though they admitted it wasn't a big deal). Still, it was ironic Em would rally against Bush but also rap about gun rights as the GOP has made defending the Second Amendment a part of their platform for years. Source(s): www.complex.com
Soldier
#6565.0This song was first shown on Eminem’s The Eminem Show. In it, he talks about his dealings with the law because of his weapons charges, and how he isn’t afraid to use a gun. Later, he talks about his greatness in the rap game. This song is middle of the story started with The Kiss and concluding with “Say Goodbye To Hollywood” and is a rah-rah moment for the diehard fans of Eminem. Channeling his inner Tupac ("I'm like a thug with a lil' bit of Pac influence"), Eminem goes to war against critics, bouncers, and the other dumbasses who piss him off, all crumbling underneath the bone-crunching verbal onslaught. It's impossible to listen to the frenetic beat and amped-up flow and not feel a spike in adrenaline. Eminem keeps the jokes to a minimum ("I love pissing you off, it gets me off/Like my lawyers when the fucking judge lets me off"). Instead, he keeps the intensity levels high ("Willin' to stick out my neck for respect if it meant life or death/Never live to regret what I said"), the assault only briefly letting up during the chorus. With the fire that burns in the hearts of young men, the chest-pounding rapper declares, "Full of controversy until I retire my jersey/Till the fire inside dies and expires at 30." By the time the "go left, go left, go left, right, left" orders kick in, it's obvious that Eminem is inside his own personal Hurt Locker, and the battlefield is the place he most wants to be at. Sources: www.genius.com, www.complex.com
Who Knew
#6666.0Who Knew is the 5th track from Eminems 3rd Studio Album, The Marshall Mathers LP. “Who Knew” is Eminem’s way of ridiculing those who believe his music causes fans to commit ridiculous acts. Throughout the song Eminem takes a satirical approach to the criticism of his negative influence on the youth, while simultaneously pointing out other, more important factors. While “Who Knew” is very tongue-in-cheek, Eminem goes more in-depth about his effect on the youth in “Sing For The Moment.” This was intended to be the lead single from the album, but Interscope wanted something more radio-friendly, so Em penned “The Real Slim Shady” for that purpose. Sources: www.wikia.com, www.genius.com
Don't Approach Me
#6767.0At the time this was recorded, Eminem was adjusting to all of the fame that had come his way after the success of his first album. And on this verse, he explained how he was struggling with it. He wondered if he could "hold on to my private life for five minutes longer" and talked about some specific situations that he was dealing with at the time. For instance, he made mention of the fight that he got into with a man that he saw kissing his ex-wife Kim back in June 2000, and the gun charge that he caught right before that. His verse was an open, honest expression of how he felt about fame (mostly, about how much he hated it) and it really resonated with his fans as a result. Source: www.complex.com
Not Afraid
#6868.0"Not Afraid" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his seventh studio album Recovery (2010). It was released as the album's lead single on April 29, 2010, by Interscope Records. "Not Afraid" was first revealed as a single by Eminem via Twitter, after which the song debuted on radio. To promote the single's release, a freestyle rap, "Despicable", was released on the Internet and received attention for its tone and lyrical content. "Not Afraid" was written and produced by Eminem, Boi-1da, Jordan Evans and Matthew Burnett; keyboardist Luis Resto was also attributed with songwriting credit. According to Eminem's manager Paul Rosenberg and music critics, "Not Afraid" carries a positive message and depicts Eminem's change in direction from drugs and violence. The hip hop song features a choir that assists Eminem in a heavily layered chorus and vocals are sung over a guitar, synthesizer and piano; no Auto-Tune was used on the sung vocals, but many reverberation tools were. "Not Afraid" received mixed to positive reviews from music critics, who praised the song for being anthemic in nature and carrying a positive message. The song did, however, face criticism for its sudden change in theme from previous singles, and was considered to be less affecting than some of his other songs. Despite mixed reception, "Not Afraid" became the 16th song in Billboard history to debut on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number one; it also debuted as a chart-topper in Canada. In June 2014 the song was certified 10× Platinum by RIAA, making Eminem the first artist with digital diamond awards for two songs. "Not Afraid" has earned Eminem MTV Video Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards Japan, Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards and Detroit Music Awards. The song was accompanied by a music video, which Rich Lee directed in May 2010. New York City and Newark, New Jersey were chosen as settings to shoot the video. Reviewers praised the video as it followed the lyrics and praised the video for such depictions. However, the product placement in the video by Nike shoes and Beats by Dr. Dre headphones was criticized. In 2010, Eminem performed "Not Afraid" at Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010 (E3 2010), Oxegen 2010, T in the Park 2010 and the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. He has also performed the song at the Bonnaroo Music Festival, Lollapalooza and the V Festival. Rolling Stone ranked it the 24th best song of 2010.
Love Me
#6969.0The explosive Shady Records trio came back to record the song "Love Me" for the ladies in a three verse anthem on the 8 Mile Soundtrack. "Love Me" is not exactly a Valentine's Day recommendation. This is a song about the bitches who get played and the fake rappers who get slayed. The sleek, seductive, and nonsentimental production with the lusty female sung chorus makes this just the right thing to listen to during the drive to that next booty call. The macho men all have their say: the underrated Obie with his get-paid philosophy and Eminem boasting of a stillmatic flow, while a prime 50 closes the show with volcanic, slow-burning heat, taking a poke at a who's who of early '00s R&B and rap stars: "I ain't gonna front, I thought R. Kelly was tha shit/Let me find out he fucking 'round with Bow Wow bitch... I'm convinced, man, something really wrong with these hoes/I thought Lil' Kim was hot then she start fucking with her nose/Used to listen to Lauryn Hill and tap my feet/Then the bitch put out a CD that didn't have no beats." At the beginning of his career, Eminem caused a lot of controversy when he name-dropped other artists on his songs. So it is amusing to hear 50 Cent do the same exact thing on one of his first collaborations with Eminem. Even though this track from the 8 Mile soundtrack didn't exactly call for it, 50 Cent hurt a lot of feelings when he took shots at everyone from R. Kelly and Bow Wow to Lil' Kim and D'Angelo on the song before turning his attention to a couple of female artists who were running with Murda Inc. at the time. "My back shots'll help Ashanti hit them high notes," he said, "and B.I.G. been taught Charlie B'more to deep throat." Sources: www.wikia.com, www.complex.com
Don't Push Me
#7070.0Second track on Get Rich or Die Tryin' to feature Eminem with the addition of G-Unit young gun Lloyd Banks. On 50 Cent's debut album, he collaborated on two songs with Eminem. Both of them were stellar. And while we'd argue that the other track, "Patiently Waiting," had a bigger impact, "Don't Push Me" featured solid contributions from 50, Em, and Lloyd Banks—the three best lyricists on Shady at the time. Over Em's menacing production, the three rappers discussed why you shouldn't get on their bad sides and made very compelling arguments for why they weren't to be fucked with. "Motherfuckers envy the kid, control your jealousy," 50 rapped, "Cause I can't control my temper, I'm finna catch a felony!" If Shady's mission was to scare people, they accomplished it on this track. Sources: www.genius.com, www.complex.com
As The World Turns
#7171.0As the World Turns is a song by American singer and rapper Eminem. It appears on his second studio album, The Slim Shady LP. On this track, Eminem flexes his storytelling muscle to tell two stories about (what else?) disrespecting women. Eminem doesn't always tell stories. But when he does, he prefers telling stories of the most-fucked-up-shit-ever variety. On this particular verse, he started off by revealing that he was "tryna nail a trailer park bitch" and then proceeded to tell an incredibly bizarre tale that ends with him whipping out his, well, just read the line above. The story had all kinds of crazy twists and turns that only Slim Shady could think up and it was, as usual, as entertaining as it was disturbing. Written by Slim Shady while in Slick Rick storytelling mode, "As The World Turns" is a rib-tickling, teenaged misadventure of a dangerous juvenile deliquent with a blond mop on top who spends his spare time torturing BBWs. (If anyone remembers the lesser-known "Fat Girl" by Eazy-E & Ron-De-Vu off the N.W.A & The Posse album, this right here is sorta similar.) Non-PC as can be, this ultimate revenge-of-the-nerd fantasy, complete with Outsidaz shout outs, cannibalism, and belly flops, is told with the guys-only rawness most females hate. Sharp and wicked as ever, Slim endorses the infrequently reported benefits of copious drug use ("Jumped up with a broken back/Thank God I was smokin' crack all day/And doped up off coke and smack"— otherwise that broken back would have hurt). The laugh-out-loud moments are plenty; just be careful who is around when the song is playing. Sources: www.wikia.com, www.genius.com, www.complex.com
Say Goodbye Hollywood
#7272.0Say Goodbye Hollywood is the eight track off of Eminem's eight studio album, The Eminem Show. The song is the conclusion of the story started with “The Kiss” (track 6) and “Soldier” (track 7), The Eminem Show’s two previous tracks. This track (track 8) acts as the aftermath of the incidents of the two previous tracks.
Bad Meets Evil
#7373.0Bad Meets Evil is a song by american rappers Eminem and Da Royce 5'9". It was released on his first major recorded label album, The Slim Shady LP. The name of this song would be applied to the duo themselves in future releases. Detroit amigos Eminem and Royce Da 5'9" reunite on this psychedelic spaghetti Western in which they portray slick-mouthed gunslingers who can't decide whether to take out sucker MCs or battle each other. Bookended by a crusty old cowboy narrative and accompanied by South of the Border guitar twangs and a dirty fuzzbox groove underneath, the two desperados take turns illin' out. Eminem: "Releasing rage on anybody in squeezing range/Cold enough to make the seasons change into freezing rain/(Royce: He's insane)/No I'm not, I just want to shoot up and I'm pissed off 'cause I can't find a decent vein." Royce: "The disaster with dreads/I'm bad enough to commit suicide/And survive long enough to kill my soul after I'm dead." They trade back-and-forths with the utmost of ease, daring anybody with the audacity to take on the rap Sundance Kid and Butch Cassidy. Sources: www.wikia.com, www.genius.com, www.complex.com
Rhyme or Reason
#7474.0"Rhyme or Reason" is a song from Eminem's eighth studio album The Marshall Mathers LP 2. The song discusses Eminem's father, who left him and his mother when he was born. Produced by the album's executive producer Rick Rubin, the song contains samples of The Zombies' "Time of the Season" from their 1968 album Odessey and Oracle. The song received positive reviews from music critics. In the song, Eminem discusses his father, who left him and his mother when he was born; as well as his skill as a rapper and fame. In the bridge, Eminem sings along with the chorus of Time of the Season, in one part he responds as Shady and references his song "Just Don't Give a Fuck". The song was produced by the album's executive producer Rick Rubin and written by Eminem and Rod Argent of The Zombies. The song samples "Time of the Season" from their 1968 album Odessey and Oracle. It was recorded by Mike Strange, Joe Strange and Tony Campana. Rhyme or Reason received generally positive reviews from music critics. Dan Rys of XXL Magazine said that the song, along with "So Far..." will "grow on you by getting stuck in your head, and before long you’ll know every word and skip ahead to hear the familiar refrains and deft flows." Nick Catucci of Entertainment Weekly called the song one of the "album's most endearingly bonkers tracks."
Purple Pills
#7575.0"Purple Pills", also known as the censored version, "Purple Hills", is a hip hop single by American rap group D12, taken as the second cut from their debut studio album, Devil's Night. It achieved notable success, peaking at number nineteen on the Billboard Hot 100, number two in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Norway, number three in Australia, number five in Sweden and number ten in the Netherlands and Finland. The track features verses rapped by Eminem, Bizarre, Proof, Swifty and a joint verse between Kuniva and Kon Artis. The album version of the song contains many references to drug use, with "purple pills", "golden seals", and "Mushroom Mountain" being examples of recreational drug use. When it was announced that the group intended to release the track as a single, due to the drug and sex references, it was deemed inappropriate for play on many radio stations, and as such, a censored version of the song, "Purple Hills", was made. This version removes most of the drug and sex references, and replaces them with comical lyrics. Such changes include; the line "I've been to mushroom mountain" altered to say "I've climbed the highest mountain"; and the line "I take a couple uppers, I down a couple downers" changed to "I've been so many places, I've seen so many faces." Most of Bizarre's verse is entirely changed, due to the strong amount of sexual and drug content in it. Music videos were made for both "Purple Pills" and "Purple Hills". The accompanying music videos were directed by Joseph Kahn.
Never Enough
#7676.0Never Enough is an Eminem song which appears as the third track on the Encore Album and lasts for 2:39. One of the best songs on Eminem’s 5th album, Encore, “Never Enough” deals with how Em and 50 battle rap people and just tear them apart. Although only 2:39 minutes long, it leaves listeners wishing for more. Gratefully, Nate Dogg (R.I.P.) laces yet another hook with his heavenly harmonics (like D.O.C., no one could do it better). Sources: www.wikia.com, www.genius.com, www.complex.com
We All Die One Day
#7777.0"We all Die One Day" is a track from Obie Trice’s 2003 debut album Cheers. Tony Yayo, who provides the intro and ad-libs throughout the track, recorded these voice-overs while incarcerated. The four rappers who contributed to this posse cut sounded like they had two goals in mind when they put the song together. The first was to prove that Shady Records was the best rap label out. The second was to find a ton of different ways to describe murdering people on a rap song. And they accomplished both of those things thanks to the four solid verses that they came up with. Eminem might have stolen the show, but 50 still had an inspired verse filled with the typical tough talk and hood tales with a touch of black humor; "If you trying to buy guns, I'm the nigga to look to/So what they got bodies on 'em? They still look new." Sources: www.complex.com
Quitter
#7878.0The last diss track Eminem is aimed at Everlast in response to “Whitey’s Revenge”. The first hook of the song uses a similar sound to his own song Marshall Mathers, and the second half samples the classic beef song Hit ‘Em Up by 2Pac, which focuses on rival Biggie Smalls. In this song, Em pays respect to rap legends 2Pac and Slick Rick. The Slim Shady vs. Whitey Ford match-up was intriguing because it pitted two white rappers with respect in the hip-hop community against each other. Erik Schrody was no Rob Van Winkle. This was gonna be a scrap for as long as it lasted. The story supposedly begins backstage at some concert, or on Sway and Tech's The Wake Up Show—allegedly the two didn't acknowledge each other and some animosity built up. Everlast then appeared on Dilated Peoples' "Ear Drums Pop" remix in 2000 and shot off an obvious diss: "I buck a .380 on ones that act shady." Em heard it and responded with "I Remember" ("How could you diss me, bitch?/I liked you, thought you was alright for a white dude"). Next came "Whitey's Revenge," and Everlast unloaded with, "And you can't keep your woman from goin' astray/Better run and check your kid for your DNA." Eminem then went ballistic, unveiling a musical double-pump shotty. "Quitter" was just a warm-up ("So this is what we ask of our fans: If you ever see Everlast, whoop his ass!"). The remake of 2Pac's "Hit 'Em Up" was Armageddon. Just like he did with "Hail Mary," Em let off some of the most ferocious insults he has committed to tape. "White devil, washed-up honky, mixed-up cracker who crossed over to country" is just the tip of the iceberg. And true to the original, D12 joined in on the musical massacre, just like the Outlawz did for Pac.
Fight Music
#7979.0"Fight Music", also known in its censored form as "Flight Music", is a hip hop single by the rap group D12 from their debut album Devil's Night. The song features various lyrics about violence and dangerous street fighting except in two verses: Bizarre's, which features various graphic subjects, namely oral sex with his grandmother, and Eminem's, which talks about the youth, how they feel and how they relate with this song and other songs. The song was produced by Dr. Dre. "Fight Music" is also included on the greatest hits disc of Shady Records' 15th anniversary compilation, Shady XV, which was released on November 24, 2014. The beginning of the video features Ice-T and different styles of music, a play on the beginning of the film The Warriors. The quotes, "can you count?" and "can you dig it?" are taken directly from the movie. The cut-scene where the radio DJ speaks is also a reference to The Warriors. The video features cameos by Fat Joe and Obie Trice. There are two versions of the video. One is the explicit version. The explicit version starts with Ice-T talking about the styles of music. However, the beginning where he says "Can you count, suckers?" has been cut. Also, instead of Eminem starting the chorus outside, he starts inside of what seems to be a city bus, with the rest of D12 seen in the background.. The explicit version alters throughout the video. The clean version includes Ice-T yelling "Can you count, suckers?". The clean version also starts with Eminem starting the chorus outside with the rest of D12, instead of inside a bus. Some words have been changed or muted throughout the clean version's audio. Part of the video was shot in Coney Island, Brooklyn.
Sing For The Moment
#8080.0"Sing for the Moment" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fourth album The Eminem Show (2002). It was released in February 25, 2003, as the fourth single from The Eminem Show and the final single in the United States. The song samples "Dream On" by American hard rock band Aerosmith. "Sing for the Moment" received positive reviews from music critics, with many critics praising Eminem's rapping ability, the lyrics, and the "Dream On" sample. "Sing for the Moment" proved to be successful, peaking inside the Top 10 in twenty countries. In the United States, "Sing for the Moment" reached number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100. The song, along with the original "Dream On", was used in a trailer for the 2016 animated film Sing. "Sing for the Moment" contains samples of the song "Dream On" by the rock band Aerosmith. Joe Perry plays the guitar solo at the end of the song, and a sample of Steven Tyler singing is used as the chorus for this song. Eminem chants "sing" when Tyler starts to sing the chorus, and Eminem also chants "sing with me" and "come on". Eminem says the words in his live performances as well. The beginning of the song samples the intro of "Dream On". "Sing for the Moment" was later released on Eminem's greatest hits compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits (2005). "Sing for the Moment" deals with the themes of rap music's effect on society and the misunderstanding Eminem claims critics and parents have towards his message. Eminem uses the song to refute critics who have accused him of promoting violence to young people, saying that committing a crime is ultimately up to the offender in a post-9/11 world. He also explains that his music has an advantage for young people, claiming that his music is a relief from boredom and depression. Eminem's altercation with a bouncer named John Guerra is also referenced in this song. "That's why we seize the moment, try to freeze it and own it - Squeeze it and hold it, 'cause we consider these minutes golden". The song reached #14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart, #6 on the UK Singles Chart, and #5 on the Australian ARIAnet Singles Chart.
Rabbit Run
#8181.0This song was off the soundtrack to the movie 8 Mile and essentially is a veiled parallel between the lives of the main character, Jimmy Smith (a.k.a. “Rabbit”), and Eminem. The name alludes to John Updike’s classic novel Rabbit, Run. In fact the screenplay for 8 Mile with begins a quote from Rabbit, Run: “If you have the guts to be yourself…other people’ll pay your price.” Being featured alongside a song like "Lose Yourself"—which won an Oscar, spent 12 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard, and became the first rap song ever to be nominated for Song of The Year at the Grammys—would make any song underrated. That's the case for "Run Rabbit Run," a vintage Eminem "rapping-for-the-sake-of-rapping" track. The three minute onslaught of rhymes tells the struggle of Eminem's semi-autobiographical character Jimmy "B-Rabbit" Smith from 8 Mile. It has the same seize-the-moment feel of "Lose Yourself," but without the stadium rocking production. Like "Lose Yourself" and 8 Mile, it's centered around battle rapping. But this battle seems more like a marathon, and our hero is running for his life. Sources: www.genius.com, www.complex.com
Yellow Brick Road
#8282.0An apology for the crude rant ("Foolish Pride") he made in high school when a black girl he dated dumped him, "Yellow Brick Road" starts by putting everything in perspective, neatly describing the hectic life led by a young Marshall Mathers, a white kid in love with hip-hop. He explains how he'd get his ass handed to him daily and tells of the day he met Proof. He then remembers how, like a lot of rap supporters, he dumped Troops for Pumas just because MC Shan said so, how he got jacked for wearing African medallions and Flavor Flav clocks, and how he and his Caucasian buddy commiserated by "sayin' how we hate this/How racist but dope the X-Clan's tape is." It's such an intimate picture of the perils faced by white rap fans during a time when racial matters mattered in the rap movement. It all develops like a prequel to the 8 Mile movie. The determination to stick with a music he admires is evident. Yes, the teenage Marshall Mathers made a mistake dissing all black females just because one played him (and he did the right thing years later by apologizing). He is, at least, convincing enough in portraying how overwhelming and impressionable this period in his life was for him, caught growing up in a world that wasn't black and white, but gray. Sources: www.complex.com
8 Mile
#8383.0Off the soundtrack to the semi-autobiographical 8 Mile, Eminem tells a story similar to what goes on throughout the movie. It is the story of the troubles one goes through trying to make it big time. It's the titular track to the Oscar-winning film loosely based on his life, but it's also the soundtrack to the hard-knock life nearly all unsigned MCs experience while they struggle to get put on. "8 Mile" contains no throwaway lines and addresses the forbidden subject of stage fright, which broke new ground the same way Marvel did when they humanized superheroes. MCs always tell you how great they are; rarely do they admit self-doubt in their skill set. "And I clam up/I just slam shut/I just can't do it/My whole manhood's just been stripped/I have just been vicked." He may be rhyming as the fictional character Rabbit, but that fear comes from a real place. The song zeroes in on the pressure of trying to make it in the rap game, where losing is not an option. (Listen closely to the very beginning to hear Em, barely audible, going: "It's OK, it's OK, I'm gonna make it anyway.") The use of the looming train blaring in the background not only symbolizes the desire to get out of the 'hood or trailer park but reminds us that most rappers do indeed come from the wrong side of the tracks.
Say What You Say
#8484.0This Song is a diss to Jermaine Dupri and a diss to The Source Magazine. It was Eminem’s first retaliation against the magazine, which later turned into the Eminem-Benzino beef. This song is also about Dre stating that he hadn’t left the rap game yet, and he is here to diss some people and maintain his respect.
Shit On You
#8585.0"Shit on You" also known by the clean versions as either "Sh*t on You" or "S*** on You", is a single by American rap group D12. It was their commercial debut single, released in March 2001. It achieved moderate success by reaching the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart. It was not included on the American edition of their 2001 debut studio album Devil's Night, but was included as a bonus track on the UK, European and Australian releases, and also on the deluxe version of Eminem's greatest hits album, Curtain Call: The Hits. The song features references to John Candy, JonBenét Ramsey, where one of the verses said "Got JonBenet Ramsey in my '98 Camry", Richard Pryor, Steve Stoute, Deebo and Peabo Bryson while Eminem's line referring to the band as "five more zany-actin' maniacs in action" harks back to his original underground album Infinite. Detroit rapper Royce Da 5'9", who at the time was beefing with D12, made a song called "Shit on U" as a diss track using the "Shit on You" beat. Proof, the only group member not to rap in the original song, also utilised the beat in a solo cover version called "Shoot At You" in 2002, available from his website. The song was also a b-side on the follow-up single Purple Pills in some countries. The video was shot on location in Detroit, the group performing in various locations around their home city, including Fox Theatre, Brewster-Douglass Housing Projects, the Joe Louis Memorial, Michigan Central Station, Comerica Park, and Runyon Avenue. The entire video is shot in black-and-white, apart from some cutaway sequences, including Bizarre as an abusive alcoholic living in a run-down house, Eminem as an angry old man, a cutscene where Eminem is at his old house and when Proof is with the chicks. Although Proof does not appear in the record, he provides a spoken introduction to the video, and appears alongside his fellow MCs.
Encore
#8686.0"Encore" (stylized as "ƎNCORE" and sometimes known as "Curtains Down") is a song by rappers Eminem, 50 Cent and Dr. Dre, released in 2004 as a vinyl single in the U.S. It was the title track from the Eminem album of the same name, which was also released that year. It is the third single and final track from the album. The song was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the Grammy Awards of 2006, but lost to The Black Eyed Peas song "Don't Phunk with My Heart". No music video was filmed for this song. Eminem, Dre and 50 Cent would later return to work together on the song "Crack a Bottle" from Relapse. On Encore, "One Shot 2 Shot" segues into the skit "Final Thought", which then segues into Encore, which also segues into the "Curtains Down" skit.
Legacy
#8787.0"Legacy" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Eminem. It is the sixth track on his eighth studio album The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013). The song discusses Eminem's dysfunctional childhood. The song was produced by American record producer Emile Haynie and written by Eminem, Polina Goudieva, David Brook, and Emile Haynie. The song features additional vocals from Russian singer-songwriter Polina. "Legacy" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics upon the album's release. The song has since peaked at number 44 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. "Legacy" became one of the official theme songs of WrestleMania XXX. The song primarily discusses Eminem's dysfunctional childhood upbringing in Detroit, Michigan. The song mirrors "Lose Yourself" in explaining how important music was in directing the young Eminem's life. He cites Queens' hardcore hip hop group Onyx as an example of what he would listen to at the time. The song recounts how shy and awkward Eminem was as a child, even being shoved into a locker in school, and then details how he gained self-esteem and hope through rap. In the end, he discovers rapping is his legacy and that having his brain "wired differently" was worth it. Eminem has stated that he intended for the song to be "self-empowerment" for those whom nobody believed in. The song contains numerous football references, including Brian Dawkins, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, the Body Bag Game, Dick Butkus, and Brian Baldinger. Most notably, he mentions the Detroit Lions' 0–16 2008 season. Onyx's Fredro Starr praised Eminem for mentioning the group. He also pointed out that it connected the two Marshall Mathers LPs, as Onyx's Sticky Fingaz was featured on The Marshall Mathers LP on the song "Remember Me?". "Legacy" was written approximately three years ago during a session between singer-songwriter Polina and songwriter David Brook in New York. A few months later, Polina visited Interscope executive Neil Jacobson, who, upon hearing the song, commanded her: "Don't play this for anyone. It's an Eminem record." The following week, Polina, and Brook joined Emile in the studio where he produced the song and then sent it to Eminem. Eminem added his own verses to the song, but left Polina's vocals untouched. The song's production and overall tone earned comparisons to Eminem's hit song "Stan". The rhyming words used in the song remain unchanged, as Eminem wanted to challenge himself.
You Don't Know
#8888.0"You Don't Know" is the lead single from the Shady compilation album Eminem Presents: The Re-Up. The song is performed by Eminem featuring artists 50 Cent, and Lloyd Banks, and features the new vocals from Cashis. The video appeared on MTV's Sucker Free, and BET's 106 & Park as a "New Joint", on November 7, 2006. The video reached number 1 on MTV's Total Request Live. Tony Yayo, The Alchemist, Young Buck, D12, Bobby Creekwater, Obie Trice, Mobb Deep, Trick Trick, Dr. Dre & Stat Quo all have cameo appearances. Obie Trice appeared as a helicopter coordinator carrying Lloyd Banks. The video is prison themed with each of the four featured artists portraying highly dangerous criminals. All four are wearing prison outfits and are significantly covered in chains and cuffs, and all four are transported in separate vehicles to a heavily guarded arena. 50 Cent is transported in maximum security prison plane, Cashis in a train, Lloyd Banks in a helicopter and Eminem is transported in a heavy security transfer truck. The video seems to reference movies such as The Silence of the Lambs with Eminem being restrained in a similar trolley and muzzle to that of Hannibal Lecter's. Eminem also imitates Hannibal Lecter's trademark lip-licking motion to Jodie Foster when, in the beginning of the video, Eminem is visited at his cell by an FBI Agent who looks similar to Foster's character in The Silence of the Lambs. Also, the video also seems to show references to the movie Con Air when the prisoners get transported by airplane. This video is also notable for featuring Obie Trice wearing a prototype of Beats by Dr. Dre headphones two years before they were released.
Til Hell Freezes Over
#8989.0‘Til Hell Freezes Over is a track by Eminem that was made in 1998 but released on a Detroit Underground mixtape in 2000. It is one of the first tracks – if not the first track – Dr. Dre produced for Eminem after he signed him to his label Aftermath. On one of the first tracks Dr. Dre produced for Eminem after he signed him to his Aftermath label, the young prospect loosens up on what sounds like a beat left over from The Chronic (track-wise, it has a "Puffin' On Blunts And Drankin' Tanqueray" kind of feel). They will soon make history together (Detroit and Compton together, now you know you in trouble), but for now it's a late-night weed-smoke-filled studio session with hard-hitting loops and Em vowing at the top of his lungs that he's gonna be a hip-hop fiend for life. He is definitely on-point on this musical shootaround, but it's just a dope warm-up, a precursor of the greatness to come. Source(s): www.genius.com, www.complex.com
Mosh
#9090.0"Mosh" is a protest song by Eminem released on October 26, 2004 as a digital single, just prior to the 2004 presidential election. It was released in October 26, 2004 as the second single from his fifth studio album Encore. The video for the song is available for free on the Internet and encouraged voters to vote George W. Bush out of office. The song was excerpted from Eminem's album, Encore, not yet released at the time the video was made available to the public. G-Unit rapper Lloyd Banks also appears in the video. This song is ranked 58th on About.com's "100 Greatest Rap Songs". The music video for "Mosh" is entirely animated. The video starts, a scene of a school appears, and a plane is flying through with a big explosion, in a reference to the 9/11 terrorist events. Inside the classroom, Eminem is reading a book for the children. It features a school in the beginning saying the Pledge of Allegiance, then to reveal Eminem performing in Iraq for U.S. troops where a large crowd is gathered, one of which, who is also Eminem, returns home later to his wife and children only to find he has been sent back to Iraq because of George W. Bush's strategy to send more troops to Iraq during his time in office (Stop Loss). It also shows a young African American man who sees the Ku Klux Klan movements on his TV. He then joins an army of protesters, led by Eminem. By the end of the video, Eminem and the protesters are shouting at George Bush. The last scene of the original videoclip for "Mosh" depicts a crowd bursting into a voter registration site. A second version of the videoclip was released after the 2004 presidential election, where the crowd is not bursting in to register to vote but rather entering the United States Capitol during Bush's State of the Union Address. In this version, they then proceed to make their demands heard by the U.S. Supreme Court and Congress. It shows then-Vice-President Dick Cheney suffering a heart attack.
5 Star Generals
#9191.0This song "5 Star Generals" released by Brooklyn rapper Shabaam Sahdeeq features a characteristically crazed guest verse from pre-stardom Eminem. The song states that all 5 of the rappers featured in the song are star generals, and also that they are all 5-star, or the best. This along with a few other super-deep tracks are often mentioned by Stan (Eminem's alter ego) in other songs to prove he was Eminem's Number One fan-slash-stalker. Source(s): www.genius.com, www.rollingstone.com
No Love
#9292.0"No Love" is a song by American rapper Eminem, and was released as the third official single from his seventh album, Recovery (2010). The song features American rapper Lil Wayne. It impacted radio on October 5, 2010. "No Love" was produced by American hip hop record producer Just Blaze. The song samples "What Is Love" by Haddaway. It features the chorus of the song as the backing vocals. It was very well received for sampling and some considered it to be one of the best songs from Recovery. "No Love" reached number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has sold more than a million digital downloads in the United States. It was ranked the 8th best song of 2010 by complex. The music video was directed by Chris Robinson. A teaser premiered on Eminem's YouTube channel on September 29, 2010. The video premiered September 30 and is about a boy who is bullied but eventually defends himself after being motivated by listening to Eminem and Lil Wayne songs. Various hip hop producers make cameo appearances in the video. The song was performed by Eminem and Lil Wayne during an episode of Saturday Night Live and at Eminem's and Jay-Z's The Home & Home Tour. "No Love" was written by Eminem, Lil Wayne, and Just Blaze, the latter producing the track. It was recorded by Mike Strange and Ryan West in Effigy Studios in Ferndale, Michigan. The song was mixed by Eminem, Strange, West, and Just Blaze and was engineered by Joe Strange. The song samples "What Is Love" by Trinidian-German singer Haddaway during the chorus. When the song begins, there is a thirty-second intro and the sampled words "no love" echo. On August 28, 2010, Billboard reported that "No Love" would be the third single from Recovery. The song impacted radio on October 5, 2010 and was released as the third single from Recovery. The full song is five minutes long. Eminem spoke about how Lil Wayne got to collaborate with him. He stated that the song was Lil Wayne appearing on Eminem's album after Eminem did the song "Drop the World" that appeared on Lil Wayne's album Rebirth. "I did a song with Wayne called 'Drop the World' for his [Rebirth] album, and we had just agreed to do an even swap, so I wanted him on my album." Just Blaze also spoke about the making of the song. He spoke about using a sample in the song. He wanted to turn the simple elements of the Haddaway song and use them for "something you can actually rock to." At first, the schedules were not available for recording, but were eventually made. He also proposed to Eminem the use of samples for the chorus: "I remembered that I had the idea with the Haddaway sample in my computer, so I threw on the headphones, touched it up, and played it for him. At first, he didn't get it hundred percent. I think he wasn't sure what I was going for because it's such a comic sample. But once I broke down the idea to him, another angle: 'I don't need you no more, don't want to see you no more, you get no love.' Then it clicked." When Eminem understood the concept, he was willing to use it, and had recorded vocals two days later. Eminem later had a desire to collaborate with Lil Wayne. Blaze and Eminem flew to Miami and Wayne had apparently written and recorded his verse in one night. After returning to New York, they worked more on the hook. The song is about people who have let Eminem and Lil Wayne down in the past.
Fubba You Cubba Cubba
#9393.0Actually, this is a really hot mixtape verse over a driving beat rather than a complete song, but it makes this list because of its significance: 1) Eminem states the verbal wars are over and declares himself the winner of all his various battles; 2) he offers criticism about the state of the rap nation ("Now it's just gangstas sayin' the same shit"), something he doesn't do that often; and 3) people really responded to the "new language" he spits (funny gibberish that basically finds a different way to say fuck you, suck his dick). But the real show-stopper (literally) is the closing line: "Hip-hop ain't been the same since Tupac moved to Cuba on us." That's no conspiracy, that's just some of the realest shit Eminem ever wrote. Source: www.complex.com
How Come
#9494.0"How Come" is a song by the American rap group D12. It was released in June 2004 as the second single from their second album D12 World. The song was certified Gold by the RIAA. The song is about the tenuous relationship between the members of D12, for the most part Proof and Eminem. The video depicts members of D12 fighting with Eminem in the Shady Records studio. It shows a detailed strain on the members relationships. They discuss how Eminem rose to stardom, and they can't get a deal. They envy Eminem, but he doesn't think there is anything to envy, the song ends, leaving people wondering, with the members dissatisfied. In the second verse of the song, Kon Artis talks about a time when he claims to have seen Eminem's girlfriend Kim cheating on him. The video ends with a clip of another song from D12 World, "Git Up". The beginning also shows a home video of Eminem rapping at an underground show with Proof and Bizarre.
3 a.m.
#9595.0"3 a.m." is a song by American rapper Eminem and is the third single from his album Relapse. The single was produced by Dr. Dre. The song was released onto the iTunes Store on April 28, 2009. The music video was released on May 2 at 10:00 pm via Cinemax. Eminem raps from the perspective of a serial killer questioning his own sanity and recalling a string of murders. The song, according to Eminem, is said to be closer to the overall sound of the album, as opposed to the poppy, fun-poking "We Made You". It's meant to be an ode to his fascination with horror movie characters such as Freddy Krueger and Hannibal Lecter. It features Eminem presumably rapping from the perspective of his alter ego Slim Shady, using both internal and multi-syllabic rhyme schemes in his three verses. The song contains a line from The Silence of the Lambs ('She puts the lotion in the bucket, she puts the lotion on her skin. She puts the lotion in the bucket, she puts the lotion on her skin, or else she will get the hose again.'). This is the third time Eminem uses a reference to The Silence of the Lambs, to which Eminem also referred in the D12 song "American Psycho" from Devil's Night and the music video for "You Don't Know" from The Re-Up. He later referenced the movie again in the track "Buffalo Bill" from Relapse: Refill. The beginning of the song uses a sample of "Ghost of Love" by Timeless Legend. The song has a much darker concept than most of Relapse's songs, which are generally more humorous, which sets it aside greatly from much of the album. The censored version removes references of killing or murder, but the music video keeps the words in. On Shade 45, Eminem announced that shooting for the video had been entirely complete and was shot in Detroit, Michigan at 3 am with director Syndrome, who also worked on the video for "Crack a Bottle". It premiered on Cinemax, May 2 right before the movie The Strangers. It follows Eminem playing a serial killer who is escaping from a rehabilitation clinic and killing everyone who might try to stop him. The video takes place at Popsomp Hills Rehabilitation Center in Detroit; the name of a fake rehabilitation clinic, which serves as a viral campaign for the release of Relapse. The music video shows murder victims laying bloody, beaten and helpless after what seems to be a killing spree performed by Eminem's alter ego, Slim Shady. The song and video suggests that it has a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde theme, being Eminem as the good side and Slim Shady as the evil side. Slim Shady roams the halls of Popsomp Hills at 3:00 am and violently slaughters members of the staff on duty and warns the audience: "It's 3 am and here I come so you should probably run." Eminem is also shown watching the music video to "Crack a Bottle" on a television, which is also directed by Syndrome. New York magazine described the video as a revival of the "torture porn" subgenre of horror films. It was voted the fourth best video of 2009 by Fuse TV. The video was played on MuchMusic Latin America only after 7:00 pm after having been "Video Estrella".
Girls
#9696.0Girls is a solo track by Eminem that appeared as a hidden track on D12’s debut album Devil’s Night. It is a diss track aimed primarily towards Limp Bizkit, but also takes shots at others, including Everlast and Dilated Peoples. Eminem is all over the place on this Limp Bizkit bashing, flipping out on dudes (or girls as they are referenced in this track) who he thought had his back but didn't. The manner in which he goes about it comes off like different personalities speaking at once, as he flips back 'n' forth from schoolyard taunts (his mimickery of "Rollin'' is hilarious) to sensible mantras (it's simple: If you don't want to get involved in his beefs, all he asks is that you don't open your mouth with an opinion and he won't put you in them, capisce?). The concise synopsis of what went wrong between Fred Durst and Em because of the Whitey Ford fracas and the soothing delivery of the chorus—as if this were really a song dedicated to actual women—are impressive. Despite using insults like "sissies" and "pussies," the fed-up Eminem ends up sounding more like a disappointed parent ("Why do you act this way?" he wants to know) in one of his most memorable disses. Source: www.complex.com
Ricky Ticky Toc
#9797.0This bonus track from Eminem's album Encore is rapped in freestyle and contains no real chorus. In it, Eminem talks about everything from Growing Up to Dr. Dre to 50 Cent. Eminem gets nice and loose on the boom-bap tip on "Ricky Ticky Toc," taking it back to his early days. "I been rompin' since Tim Dogg was hollerin' 'Fuck Compton'/I was whylin', freestylin' back when they was still makin' Maxell cassettes/I wasn't even rap's Elvis yet." His critics may say what they want about him, but it is hard to question Eminem's past — he has certainly paid his dues.
Superman
#9898.0"Superman" is a song by American rapper Eminem, from his fourth studio album The Eminem Show (2002). It features backing vocals from frequent collaborator, singer Dina Rae and was released in January 2003 as a single from the album in the U.S. only, peaking at #15 and #42 on the Billboard Hot 100 New Zealand, respectively. The song is about the rocky relationships and promiscuous nature of the girls Eminem has had in his life and how he plans to deal with it. In his 2008 autobiography The Way I Am, Eminem revealed that the song is about his alleged relationship with singer Mariah Carey, to an extent. The song is very similar to his song "Drug Ballad" and "Pimp Like Me" with D12. The music video for the song features porn star Gina Lynn and can only be found on the 8 Mile DVD. It also contains an edit different from the album version. The uncensored video contains nudity, and is rarely shown on MTV or BET. It features on the music video website VEVO. Shannon Elizabeth was Eminem's first choice to star in the video, although this never came to fruition, as they could not come to terms.
These Drugs
#9999.0These Drugs was a track included on The Dirty Edition Bonus Disc of D12’s debut album Devil’s Night. It isn't easy picking out the edgiest D12 song, but this might be it. They have definitely said far crazier shit on other records, but their attitude on this one is just off the meat rack. Unapologetic and electrifying, it toes the line early on when Eminem dares listeners to "forget this song/Go run out and buy this disc/And try this shit/As much coke as I just did." Even more tripped out is when he straight talks over the final chorus: "I'll probably end up dying from this shit one day. Probably pick up a newspaper in the morning and it's like, 'Eminem dies from drug overdose.' And my friends, they ain't no fucking better... So, it's peer pressure... And I give in to it. So do they." The brutal honesty trapped in a time capsule (which, obviously, was spoken many years before he went to rehab) is a sobering thought about what might have been. Source: www.complex.com
Hard act to follow
#100100.0This unreleased track by Outsidaz - a New Jersey based rap ensemble and frequent early collaborators with D12 - bangs with keys and drums synonymous to 1990’s East Coast production. The lyrical fare here is less malicious than a lot of Em’s earlier work, but still pulls no punches. Even on a lo-fi, fifth-generation copy that sounds like it was recorded in the Hudson River, there is no mistaking quality when you hear it. New Jerusalem's Outsidaz were some of the first artists outside Michigan to give Eminem props (he obviously appreciated the recognition, having shouted them out on various records). No slouches themselves on the microphone, the extra-large crew, led by Pace Won and Young Zee, should have blown up themselves. On this turtle-paced, Wu-ish-flavored adventure, the gang brings odd deliveries and treasure trunks full of jewelz. Pre-famous Eminem's guest spot blends in without a hitch. Source(s): www.complex.com
Framed
#101101.0Framed is a horror-themed track on Eminem's ninth studio album Revival, replete with twisted visuals. Throughout the music video, the rapper takes on the role of a psychotic serial killer with multiple personalities (Slim Shady, Marshall Mathers and Eminem) who believes he's being framed for a murder spree because he has no recollection of what his alter ego Slim Shady has done. At the beginning of the music video, a news reporter informs viewers that Eminem has escaped an asylum. It appears that he has barricaded himself in a house surrounded by blood-spattered murder victims and creepy drawings. While Em is watching this news play out of on TV from the living room of the house, police teams are camped outside out his home waiting to make a move. Eminem maintains his innocence but is lured into a confession about his recent killing sprees by a police officer who uses hypnosis on him. The clip ends with Eminem back in the asylum and hallucinating, before undergoing hypnosis again and receiving an injection of an unknown substance in his chest. The song is in keeping with early Eminem songs like "'97 Bonnie & Clyde", full of eerie lyrics which talk about stalking Christie Brinkley and Ivanka Trump, President Trump's daughter. The rapper's multiple personalities are seen throughout the visual, which is set in places like dark woods and the asylum hallway. Although the song offers potential murderers an instruction manual, the narrator also professes his own innocence: "I'm almost certain I was framed" echoing the disconnect between the character's thoughts and actions.
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