I don’t think it’s arguable: “The Marshall Mathers LP” is Eminem’s best album.
STREAM
TOP 5 SONGS
Honorable Mention. Who Knew
This was one of the bangers from the project that absolutely went off in cars. The dark Dr. Dre beat rattles the speakers, while Eminem delivers a flow that I think is slicker than ever. Despite the track’s highly enjoyable soundscape, it’s the lyrics that stand out most. In it, Eminem reflects on being a negative influence on the world, pointing out that he isn’t much crazier than what you see walking around every day. He also mentions beating his wife, which, of course, adds to the chaos and controversy. All in all, I think this track is one of the simpler, easier, and more compelling listens on the project.
5. Criminal
Do you know what’s funny? I feel like calling Eminem a criminal is being nice. Based on the s**t he says in “Criminal,” you could call him way worse—like a pervert, homophobe, psycho, or even demonic. People who jaywalk are technically criminals.
Let’s recap: Em takes aim at the LGBTQ+ community, threatens Dr. Dre with an AK, promises not to kill a store clerk before doing it anyway, comes dangerously close to dropping the n-word, and talks about his scrotum way more than anyone asked. By every possible metric, this song is absolutely wild.
So… why do I still like it?
Simple. “Criminal” has a ridiculously catchy chorus, a gritty, head-nodding beat, and a level of dark humor that—depending on your tolerance—might leave you laughing, cringing, or both. It’s the musical equivalent of watching a car crash in slow motion: you want to look away, but you can’t.
So yeah, maybe I’m endorsing a “criminal.”
4. Kill You
“Kill You” might be one of the most disturbing and outrageous tracks in Eminem’s entire catalog—and that’s saying a lot. In the song, Em talks about unaliving and molesting his own mother. In between, he talks about being obsessed with chainsaws and wanting beef with anyone, including women.
What makes the track even more unsettling is its strange musical structure. The beat stutters and lurches like an old, dying car, yet it somehow works. As for Eminem, he contrasts his viciously aggressive verses with a surprisingly calm, almost restrained hook. What the f**k is wrong with this dude?
Yeah, I’m only troubled if you are.
3. The Real Slim Shady
MEGGSA: Make Eminem’s goofy songs great again! As great as this album is, Eminem chose to lead its rollout with “The Real Slim Shady”—an undeniably goofy track where he essentially lets every white rapper know (Including Bubba Sparxxx) they can’t touch him. Why? Because he’s the guy who couldn’t care less about a Grammy, who openly hates pop stars, and isn’t above spitting in your onion rings.
What’s wild about revisiting this track 25 years later is realizing just how clean and potent Dr. Dre’s production really is. The beat carries a slick, West Coast bounce—you could almost crip-walk to it. And while Eminem is clearly clowning around lyrically, he does it with razor-sharp flow and masterful delivery.
2. The Way I Am
You’re not Eminem—and you never will be—but “The Way I Am” has to resonate with you on every level. In this track, he vents about just wanting to live a normal life while being bombarded by obsessive fans. He also addresses the lawsuits thrown his way simply for defending himself and being unapologetically himself. And yeah, he’s perfectly fine playing the bad guy.
The production is insane—chilling piano notes that feel ripped straight out of a 1920s horror film, Eminem’s signature dusty drums, and an overall “mad scientist” energy that fits the theme perfectly. What’s genius is how Em uses this villainous, hugely annoyed tone to deliver a message that actually makes you feel sympathy for the antagonist.
Oh, and let’s not forget the wordplay—“I’ve been cursed with the curse to just curse”? Come on. That’s Em in his lyrical bag, no question.
1. Stan
Have you ever realized that “Stan” is a whopping 6 minutes and 44 seconds long? It doesn’t feel that way, right? That’s because the storytelling is absolutely captivating. Eminem pulls you in with every single word, weaving the haunting tale of an obsessed fan whose dark descent ends tragically—all because Slim didn’t write him back fast enough.
What’s wild is how subdued Eminem sounds on this track. Known for his chaotic, unfiltered delivery, he completely reins it in here to ensure his message feels authentic, raw, and all too real. His calm yet intense tone blends perfectly with the cold, eerie instrumental that still carries subtle hip-hop undertones.
And let’s not forget Dido’s haunting chorus—it adds an emotional weight and chilly vibe that ties the whole thing together seamlessly. Even though I know exactly how the story ends, I still revisit “Stan” often. It’s that well-crafted, that unforgettable.
SONG BY SONG RATING
WANT TO KNOW WHAT RATING WE GAVE EACH SONG? SUBSCRIBE BELOW!
RGM RATING
(94%)
Eminem will go down in history as one of the most brazen, untamed, and unapologetically wild musicians ever. But there are two things he accomplishes on The Marshall Mathers LP that deserve real respect: first, he fearlessly sparks conversations about America’s social and political climate at the time—something many artists weren’t doing—and second, he crafts some of the most complete, polished, and thematically rich tracks in hip-hop history.
Fueled by a barrage of cinematic Dr. Dre beats that occasionally give the album a distinctly West Coast feel, Eminem blends animated storytelling, villainous energy, and white-boy defiance to tackle topics like domestic violence, family trauma, fame, and society’s twisted relationship with media and music. From killing his wife and mother (metaphorically and literally) to mocking fans and industry elites, Em doesn’t hold back—not once.
On the surface, you could label this project as simply dark or deranged. But after 25 years and with a more mature perspective, I now see The Marshall Mathers LP as a powerful narrative about a deeply troubled individual shaped by neglect, poverty, and rage. The uncomfortable truth? That person could live right down the street—and we’d never know it.
This album was more than shock value. It was a mirror—and in 2025, the reflection feels more relevant than ever. And oh yeah, there’s a bunch of hits on the album.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
