Known for his hardcore lyricism about his troubled past, Marshall Mathers, also known as Eminem, returns into the rap universe with his new album titled “The Marshall Mathers LP 2.”
Production for the album was handled by Eminem, Dr. Dre, and Rick Rubin, who were the executive producers.
Eminem’s demons are as present as they were on its predecessor released in 2000, “The Marshall Mathers LP,” but instead of being his prey, they have mutated into being his muse.
Revenge, resentment, and heartbreak re-emerge as heavy voices fueling impassioned, and at time inappropriately comical, lyricism as he raps with rapid speed with alternation of his tone.
The album doesn’t have meany features, but those that are included on the album with Eminem are such as Nate Ruess of the band Fun., and the newfound rapper Kendrick Lamar.
In “The Marshall Mathers LP 2,” Eminem revisits previous trauma that he has experienced in the pass, basically scraping the wounds that have yet to heal. Eminem fights himself for how much he hasn’t changed because of the dangers and temptations of fame.
In the first track titled “Bad Guy,” Eminem brings his dark side to the light by using the voice of Matthew Mitchell, Stan’s brother.
“Bad Guy” is an epic that shows its listeners that Matthew is hatching a revenge plot against Stan.
The second track, “Parking Lot (Skit),” is an animated skit that brings nostalgia from “The Marshall Mathers LP.” It continues the robbery that was first heard in “The Marshall Mathers LP” track titled “Criminal.”
“Parking Lot (Skit)” informs the listeners that during the heist first heard in “Criminal,” the getaway driver splits from the scene and the shooter is killed.
According to Billboard.com, the third track titled “Rhyme or Reason,” targets Eminem’s father. The track, while sampling “Time of Season,” examines the side-effects of the disappearance of his father in a comical yet sincere way.
“So yeah did, let’s walk/ Let’s have us a father and son talk/ But I bet we wouldn’t probably get one block without me knocking your block off/ This is all your fault/ Maybe that’s why I’m so bananas…,” raps Eminem.
Throughout the album, Eminem steps into shoes that actually fit and makes listeners realize that Eminem is aware of his self-destructive side.
The ninth track, titled “Rap God,” is a six minute, chorus-less song that features Eminem’s rapid rhymes on reigning rap, which is the underlying theme of “The Marshall Mathers LP 2.”
“Rap God” is a stunning display of Eminem’s champion lyricism and technical prowess that is laid in every single verse with brazen homophobia.
The twelfth track, titled “The Monster,” features Rihanna as she and Eminem speak on the woes of living under the steaming spotlight. Eminem raps about his haunting monster while Rihanna uses her vocals skills about hers.
“Love Game” is the heavily anticipated fourteenth track that features the rapper Kendrick Lamar. The track is sampled over the 1965 hit “Game of Love.”
In this track, Eminem continues to carry the comical side of the album while also bringing out the comical side of Kendrick Lamar, which most aren’t used to hearing.
Eminem closes the album with the sixteenth track, “Evil Twin.”
In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Eminem spoke on his album.
“Calling it “The Marshall Mathers LP 2,” obviously I knew that there might be certain expectations. I had to make sure I had the right songs,” said Eminem.
“There’s not going to be continuations of every old song on there or anything like that. To me, it’s more about the vibe, and it’s more about the nostalgia.”
The close of the album has a strong tone as Eminem proclaims his dominance over the rap game and also embraces the evil side of himself that he introduced to listeners at the start of his almost two decade long career.
