Eminem has experienced one of the most tumultuous, hectic, and controversial careers pop culture has ever seen. The proud Detroit-native needs no proper introduction; his legacy speaks for itself. From being one of the most critically celebrated, best-selling artists Hip-hop has ever seen, to his multiple Grammy wins, to the finger-pointing from authority caused by his earlier material, it is hard to find an artist from the past twenty years more polarizing and globally recognized than Eminem. Nowadays, or at least for a brief moment, there was a wave of social media dwellers who used Eminem as a punchline every chance they got, criticizing his new material while ignoring his run in the early 2000s. Sure, Em’s new material can’t hold a candle to his early aughts discography, but ignoring the artist’s legend is a disservice to its impact today.
Most, if not every, modern rapper points to Eminem as a significant influence. Tyler, The Creator has praised the artist, and artists like 50 Cent claim to owe their career to Em. At one point, everyone was an Eminem fan, and ask any Eminem fan what the artist’s most impactful and memorable album is, and most point to The Marshall Mathers LP. Originally released on May 23, 2000, we have hit the quarter-century birthday of Em’s most stirring and jarring LP. 25 years ago, Eminem released 18 songs that redefined the boundaries of Hip-hop, pushed what it meant to be a “horrorcore” emcee, and solidified Eminem’s place in the genre.
The Marshall Mathers LP would appear to be an instant hit on paper, but a deeper look tells another story. Sure, the album sold 1.78 million copies in its first week, making it one of the fastest-selling albums in history, but lyrically, some institutions were a bit hung up. In retrospect, Em’s lyrics of extreme violence, disgusted disdain toward authority, and his mother, and songs like “I’m Back” referencing tragic school shootings, it isn’t a complete shock that censorship came crashing down on Em’s third studio release. This was not the first time Em had to deal with censorship, considering 1999’s The Slim Shady LP wasn’t clean as a whistle, but that in part is what makes The Marshall Mathers LP such an interesting listen, even decades later. Throughout the album, we hear an artist battling for his free speech while simultaneously being taken away from him, giving the album the feeling of a warzone.
It’s safe to say that Eminem not only won the battle fought on The Marshall Mathers LP but ultimately won the war. The Marshall Mathers LP continues to garner critical acclaim, and even with the horribly violent references, these songs miraculously still resonate. Hits like “Stan” and “The Way I Am” proved Em didn’t need over-the-top lyrical tricks to be impressive as he spins the concept of storytelling in Hip-hop on its head, moments like “Amityville” and “Who Knew” feature face-melting rhyme schemes and infectious hooks that hint at Em’s growth as a songwriter.
While the lyrics of The Marshall Mathers LP almost caused Canada to ban Eminem from entering the country, all non-government stiffs fell in love with the record immediately. The LP received a nine out of ten from NME, four-and-a-half stars from the Los Angeles Times, and four stars from Rolling Stone and The Source. Commercially, The Marshall Mathers LP is still one of the best-selling albums of all time. The album has sold over 25 million copies worldwide, with over eight million coming from the first year of its release. The album received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year, and “The Real Slim Shady” won Best Rap Solo Performance at the 2001 ceremony.
The term “undeniable” has become somewhat cliché, but if there was ever a time to break the glass and use the adjective, the anniversary of The Marshall Mathers LP is better than ever. Despite the censorship roadblocks, Eminem’s third LP became one of the most essential albums of the early 2000s. The Marshall Mathers LP solidified Eminem as one of Hip-hop’s most prominent stars, a star that has yet to be topped, and may never be.
