The Marshall Mathers LP 2
Marshall Mathers LP 2 review by Marco Warren
In the year 2013 the artist Marshall Mathers better known as Eminem one of the greatest hip hop artist of all time; arguably the greatest, released an album that serves as a part two to one of his highly respected and nominated albums (Marshall Mathers LP) from his earlier years. Em fabricated this masterpiece as proof he the Rap God (a newly utilized nickname) is still here and isn't going anywhere. He started calling himself the Rap God after releasing a single from the album before the full launch entitled Rap God. Along with the Rap God he released a couple of other songs titled Berserk and The Monster featuring Artist Rihanna. This caused great anticipation for the album due to his last highly nominated Rihanna featured song "Love The Way You Lie." As Eminem progresses through the album he dedicates songs to certain topics in his life such as, moving a lot as kid, being bullied, overcoming odds, recovering from an overdose due to drug addiction, making amends with his mother, and reclaiming his place. Marshall's album was nominated as the best Hip-Hop album of 2014 and it's safe to it's well deserved.
Survival (even featured in Call of Duty Ghost Trailer) and Legacy can be deemed as the soul and heart of the album. He previously had an interview on Sixty Minutes where he talked about his adolescence, overdose and unique gift.
Dealing out his unprecedented style he pulls in the audience with unparalleled word flow along with incorporating amazingly detailed stories into the songs. His intention behind the album is letting everyone know that he still has his gift although time and age are not on his side, he definitely has not lost his edge. In track number thirteen "So Far," He raps about how he can't figure out how to download Luda (Artist Ludacris Bridges) on his computer and waves the Nineties-geek flag with references to Jeffrey Dahmer and the Unabomber. So basically he is less concerned about old ways of being but more concerned about aging. Now that enough has been said about the preparation and commencement of the album, we can move on to the sales and awards for the album.
Em's LP2 easily grasped best hip-hop album of the year award due to its quality and having reached a staggering 792,000 copies sold throughout the first week of its release. Simply landing the No.1 spot in Billboard along with scoring the second biggest sale week of the year according to SoundScan. As amazing as that sounds the album's sales didn't match up to The Marshall Mathers LP1 which had 1,760,000 copies its first week. Now as unappealing as that may seem, sales do not portray the albums worth, remember quality over quantity. Not to worry because the iconic rapstar delivers with enough finesse to wow almost anyone, he never fails to deliver, unless in which case we mention his relapse album around the time of his overdose. Em himself even said that that album was his worse and is in his trash, so let it stay there and allow us to enjoy the creation from the guy that feels his hip-hop skills are divine.
The Skill
If I may? I will breakdown the album's tracks according to it's importance and track number.
No. 1. Title: Bad Guy
This song is tailored through the inner workings of a track from the LP1 entitled Stan (which also won awards). Continuing this story immediately grabs fans attention and soothes their anticipation for his storytelling, staying true to his style and fans he incorporates a thirteen year old story into his new work.
No. 9. Title: Rap God Song Length: 6:04
In this tongue twisting song the wordsmith breaks records for most words ever put into a song and is places the Guiness World Record. An astounding 1,560 words in one song with an average of 4.28 words per second... Wait!!! One record is not enough he breaks another where he effortlessly spits out 96 words in 15 seconds! On average that's around 6.5 words per second.
6.5 words a second delivery:
No. 5. Title: Survival
The track is self explanatory, he wants to display his talent and let it be known he's not going anywhere anytime soon, but there are twist here and there, where he inserts some witty anecdotes to keep the seriousness leveled.
No. 6. Title: Legacy
Em reveals his childhood story as to why he is the wordsmith he is today and the type of life he lived.
No. 11. Title: Stronger Than I was
In this song he is releasing himself from his past with his ex wife and addiction to make himself a better person.
No. 8. Title: Berserk
In this track he takes his skill and style back to the old-school hip-hop vibe.
No. 13. Title: So Far
In this purposely song witty he talks about how he can't download Luda's album due to his aging. It's purposely witty to show he is still at 100%.
-In a public stall, dropping a football, so every time someone walks into the John I get Madden. (John Madden) That can go over your head.
No. 15. Title: Headlights
Proud to say Eminem dedicates this song to his mother apologizing for all the things he said and did, and forgiving her for her actions.
No. 10. Title: Brainless
In Brainless he demonstrates how he was bullied growing up, how he overcame it, and how he grew from it.
No. 12. Title: The Monster
Teaming up with Rihanna again they create another beautiful song where he explains his interpretation on being famous.
No. 7. Title: Asshole
This song pleases his other set of fans that want him to stay true to his original apathetic asshole-ish style/comments.
There is a lot more that can be said or explained about each track but that would take fun out of the listening part.
A few Incentives:
Asshole:
A pessimist who transforms you to Optimus in his prime, so even if I'm half dead, I'm half alive
Groundhog Day:
Spot in that top position
Copping over the opposition
Looking like a dog that's pissing
Leg up on the competition
Promising complete dominance, Sugar Ray Robinson
I'm in a league Muhammad's in
Ali's my colleague bombing them
Probably end up on top of them
Stomping them like Ndamukong
I'm rushing like a Urkanian Ladanian Tomlinson
Flow vomits in your face
Competitors fall at my waist
You spit a rhyme, I spit in a rhyme's face
So name the time, place to battle
Bitch I'm still in that mind state
Don't make me step on you and make you wine grapes
Cry babies, maybe my way that I use words is loose
But you turds better be careful how you choose yours
Copping over the opposition
Looking like a dog that's pissing
Leg up on the competition
Promising complete dominance, Sugar Ray Robinson
I'm in a league Muhammad's in
Ali's my colleague bombing them
Probably end up on top of them
Stomping them like Ndamukong
I'm rushing like a Urkanian Ladanian Tomlinson
Flow vomits in your face
Competitors fall at my waist
You spit a rhyme, I spit in a rhyme's face
So name the time, place to battle
Bitch I'm still in that mind state
Don't make me step on you and make you wine grapes
Cry babies, maybe my way that I use words is loose
But you turds better be careful how you choose yours
Wicked Ways:
Cause baby, stable mentally I ain't, I need my meds I peed my bed
I'm going blind I don't see my legs I keep on falling down
No wonder you can't stand me I need my cane
Someone help me I think my face is melting
If you felt these migraines and see these maggots eat my brain
I'm going blind I don't see my legs I keep on falling down
No wonder you can't stand me I need my cane
Someone help me I think my face is melting
If you felt these migraines and see these maggots eat my brain
Love Game:
Thought we had a connect
No sense dwelling makes, never been a more compelling case
Than a model covered in L'Oreal and mace, who fell from grace
Eleven stories for story telling but the whore was yelling rape
So the vocal cords were swelling
And her voice were more hoarser than Tori Spelling's face
Still they swarm the gates and my fancy estates
To greet Norman Bates with a warm embrace
Unless you're Andrea Yates, don't ask me for a date, don't be late
Well the sentiment's great, but wait, think there's been a mistake
You want an intimate date, I wanna intimidate
I have infinite hate in my blood, it's mainly because of the game of
[*Message sound*]
Wait, dinner at eight
I have infinite hate in my blood, it's mainly because of the game of
[Outro:]
Love, love, love, love
No sense dwelling makes, never been a more compelling case
Than a model covered in L'Oreal and mace, who fell from grace
Eleven stories for story telling but the whore was yelling rape
So the vocal cords were swelling
And her voice were more hoarser than Tori Spelling's face
Still they swarm the gates and my fancy estates
To greet Norman Bates with a warm embrace
Unless you're Andrea Yates, don't ask me for a date, don't be late
Well the sentiment's great, but wait, think there's been a mistake
You want an intimate date, I wanna intimidate
I have infinite hate in my blood, it's mainly because of the game of
[*Message sound*]
Wait, dinner at eight
I have infinite hate in my blood, it's mainly because of the game of
[Outro:]
Love, love, love, love
L-l, l-l-l-love
Conclusion:
Coming to the conclusion that Eminem just wants to enjoy what he's doing, be respected, and keep his word of not letting his fans down again. Eminem fan or not it's a great album. His wits and unparalleled skills will either make you learn words you didn't know existed, causing mental stimulation, or just plain amazement. Highly recommend this album to people who love words, crossword puzzles, wits, creativity, but to most of all you reader. Last note: This album was also dedicated to his hometown and house in Detroit. Now! Go! Listen to it!
-Marco W.
