Production: Dr. Dre, Mel Man, Eminem, Marky & Jeff Bass
1. Public Service Announcement 2000 – Intro
2. Kill You - Eminem comes out full force with a vengeance against censorship critics and feminist groups. Em also attacks his mother (who tried to sue Em to get exposure and a piece of the pie). Dr. Dre presents a funky backdrop with a brief pause between words on Em’s hook, similar to that of L.A. Niggaz. A great start for Eminem who brings a lot of energy and a more developed multi-syllabic flow, letting everyone know he’s not fucking around. – 4
3. Stan (featuring Dido) - The Bass brothers drop a slow watery affair featuring a selection of digs via letters, Dear Slim. Eminem displays profound storytelling skills, letting peeps know about his obsessive fans that need counseling. An Apple-Peach Festival-like chick (Dido) sings the hook, but it fits in pretty well with the production and flow of the song. Stan may be Eminem’s best song to date. – 5
4. Paul (skit)
5. Who Knew - Slim Shady speaks to the censorship media and parents, explaining, “Hey, I never knew I’d be this big, or effect this kid.” He draws comparisons to other media outlets such as Arnold movies, bad parenting, and even the president. Dre & Mel Man lay out some more funky production for Em, whose persona sorta reflects a little Dre in him. – 4
6. Steve Bermen (skit)
7. The Way I Am - Dr. Dre on the boards again with a dark tune that lets Em release his tension. Marshall doesn’t want any one to bother him in public while he’s with his daughter, or to anyone who thinks he’s “Mr. Pop Star.” Some listeners might be ignored by the grimy flow from Em, but I think its dope that he shows a lot of energy and burning fuel. - 4
8. The Real Slim Shady - Another gem from the Doctor and Mel Man, with Eminem booting the boy/girl band phenomenon once again. The chorus is an upbeat nursery rhyme that’s gotten this song the Spring Anthem award of 2000. This joint is a little better than “My Name Is,” with tight, funny lyrics and better production. - 4.5
9. Remember Me? (featuring RBX & Sticky Fingaz) – Production might sound “Too Dre” (a little redundant) but it makes a nice setback for the sick verses from a few of hip-hop’s “forgotten.” Hey, Aftermath looks like a pretty stable label after all. - 3.5
10. I’m Back - Dr. Dre and Mel Man drop some ill guitar rung production and G-funk background with Eminem droppin’ sadistic rhymes as Slim Shady. He even does a sick play on the famous Rakim line: "I take 7 kids from Columbine, stand ‘em all in line / Add a AK 47, a revolver, a 9/ A Mac 11 and that oughtta solve a problem of mine / And that's a whole school of bullies shot up at one time." The hook can get repetitive, but the lyrics are off the hook. - 4
11. Marshall Mathers - A gloomy, slow-beat diatribe against the boy-girl band phenomenon, how they're all fags, including a wiggly poodle-rawk solo guitar work out from 1986. Eminem even does a rendition of L.F.O.’s “Summer Girls” hook, and rips America’s favorite clowns: "Plus I’m put here to put fear in faggots who spray Fangle Roots Beer / And call themselves clowns cuz they look queer / Faggy 2 Dope and Silent Gay, claiming Detroit, when ya'll live 20 miles away / And I don't wrestle, I'll knock you fuckin' faggots the fuck out / Ask them about the club they was at when they snuck out / After they ducked out the back when they saw us and bugged out / Ducked down and got paintball shot at they truck (bloah) / Look at ya'll, runnin’ yo mouth again / When you ain't seen a fuckin’ mile roads out the 10 / And I don't need help / From D-12 / To beat up / Two females / In make up / Who try to scratch me with Lee nails / Slim Anus? You damn right Slim Anus / I don't get fucked in mine like you two little flaming faggots." Marshall also attacks the backstabbing backpackers: "Now because of this blonde mop / That’s on top / Of this fucked up head that I got / I've gone Pop? / The underground just spun around and did a 360 / Now these kids diss me and act like some big sissies / 'Oh, he just did some shit with Missy' / 'So now he thinks he's too big to do some shit with "MC Get Busy." Did I say “Stan” was Eminem’s best song? Well… - 5
12. Ken Kaniff (skit)
13. Drug Ballad - Another Marky and Jeff Bass “dance joint” with that chick from the last LP. Eminem spits a “love” song to his life of d-r-u-g-s. The tale is nice, but I don’t dig this type of croon ‘n bass too much. - 3.5
14. Amityville (featuring Bizarre) – Eminem & Bass Brothers on the boards with a slow groovy bassline, with Eminem and D-12 member Bizarre spitting Detroit reppin’, homicide rhymes. The joint tries to take on the underground success of “Murder, Murder,” but falls flat. Especially when Bizarre “the compulsive liar” says he’d pork his cousin in the asshole. - 3
15. Bitch Please 2 (featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Xzibit, & Nate Dogg) – Not as banging as the Snoop jawn, but its something funky featuring G-Funk heroes. Eminem spliffs off of Snoop’s original verse playing “a criminal making money off the worlds misery.” Get me that Xzibit Restless LP, Dre!!! - 4
16. Kim - The MOST intense song I’ve probably ever heard. The prequel to “Bonnie & Clyde ‘97.” What really started that mess? Listen, if you dare… - 4.5
17. Under The Influence (featuring Dirty Dozen) – Where the hell is Royce Da 5’9” for the fourth addition of Bad Meets Evil? Royce must’ve been absent due to his problems with Aftermath and Dre. Oh well, at least the Outsidaz didn’t replace D-12. The Dirty Dozen aren’t anything more than a bunch of Eminem clones (well, not white), but some of the rhymes are funny. Bizarre spits: “I’m a compulsive liar / Set my preacher on fire / Slash ya tires, flyin’ down Finkle & Mire’s / Place expired / As soon as I’m hired, I’m fired / Jackin’ my dick off in a bed of barbed wire / (Hey is Bizarre rhymin’ for me?) Bitch, didn’t you read the flyer? / The special invited guest will be Richard Pryor / (Aren’t you a male dancer?) Nope bitch, I’m retired / Fuckin’ your bitch in the ass with a tire iron…” Haha, not bad, but still wishing for Bad Meets Evil. - 3.5
18. Criminal - A grave diatribe against the population of the planet who took him literally and believe he is a criminal. “I'm a CRIMINAL” he barks, then robs a bank and pulls the… - 4
Song Rating – 4
Rhymes – 4 (closer to 4.25)
Beats – 3.5 (closer to 3.75)
Originality – 4
Overall Rating - 4 mics
Who’s better—Slim Shady or Marshall Mathers? I’d say about equal. Slim Shady had the more ignoring voice, but better lyrics and punchlines. Marshall Mathers is more sadistic, more personal, and displays a better delivery and flow. Dr. Dre & Mel Man also have more influence on the production than Marky & Jeff Bass do on the new LP. Does that make the beats better? Naw, about roughly the same. The funkier tracks highlight Eminem’s, err Marshall’s quicker flow this time around. The Marshall Mathers LP doesn’t contain as many classic songs as the debut, but Eminem’s personal fight against those who doubt them is dope enough. Not the classic some predicted, but still definitely worth a cop. I wonder what alias will be presented next time around…
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