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The Marshall Mathers LP 2
by
The Marshall Mathers LP 2 Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 1386 Ratings

  • Summary: Executive produced by Dr. Dre & Rick Rubin, the eight studio release for the rapper features guest appearances from Skylar Grey, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, and Nate Ruess of fun.
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Top Track

Rap God
Look, I was gonna go easy on you not to hurt your feelings But I'm only going to get this one chance Something's wrong, I can feel it (For six... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
  1. The Guardian
    Nov 8, 2013
    100
    The jokes, in places offensive, are relentless and ribald. There is no apology, though, no concession; just a considered, virtuoso application of talent.
  2. Exclaim
    Nov 5, 2013
    80
    Em's new songs give a facelift to old themes — but thanks to his still-astounding wordplay and creative beat choices (Rick Rubin's work on "So Far..." and "Love Game" is a hoot), you can still get lost in the wrinkles.
  3. The Independent (UK)
    Nov 8, 2013
    80
    His flow only truly ignites through anger and reproach, and there are moments when his verbal dexterity amazes.
  4. The A.V. Club
    Nov 5, 2013
    75
    After years of stagnancy and tedious anger, he shows real growth on The Marshall Mathers LP 2.
  5. The Line of Best Fit
    Nov 5, 2013
    65
    There are at least a half-dozen verses in this album alone that stand amongst his best ever. ... Problem is, saying a whole lotta nothing for 70-plus minutes doesn’t exactly make for a compelling rap record.
  6. Slant Magazine
    Nov 4, 2013
    60
    The album's production offers little that's new. Dr. Dre and Rick Rubin have crafted, or at least enabled, a few too many of the power-ballad slow jams that Eminem has grown increasingly fond of, alongside several guitar-driven anthems that come on as subtle as Jock Jams. Eminem is no one's hack, though, and the album has tantalizing moments of vintage performance.
  7. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Nov 5, 2013
    35
    MMLP2 makes it more plain than ever that Eminem is among a growing number of rap superstars who are little more than vestigial pieces shoehorned onto radio by inertia alone. The main takeaway of MMLP2 is that Eminem fails to realize that the formulas that worked so well for him in 1999 are at best tired and tame today, and can't be saved by his lyrical dexterity.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 195 out of 216
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 216
  3. Negative: 3 out of 216
  1. hiphop97
    Nov 5, 2013
    10
    Eminem is back! I was a massive fan of MMLP, SSLP and TES. I was disappointed with Encore, Relapse and Recovery but when this album came out,Eminem is back! I was a massive fan of MMLP, SSLP and TES. I was disappointed with Encore, Relapse and Recovery but when this album came out, I was so relieved! There was so much nostalgia listening to this album! I would have liked to hear production by Dr Dre but the album is still amazing tracks like "so far" and "bad guy" are my favourites. I would recommend the deluxe edition as the bonus tracks are amazing!… Expand
  2. JayJay17
    Nov 9, 2013
    10
    Without a doubt Eminem's best work since the Eminem Show. Slim Shady is back in full force to remind everyone that he is on a current lyricalWithout a doubt Eminem's best work since the Eminem Show. Slim Shady is back in full force to remind everyone that he is on a current lyrical plane far above the rest of the rap game. With must listens like "Bad Guy" (a continuation to the critically acclaimed Stan), "Rap God" (a six minute lyrical onslaught that sees him rapping 6.5 words PER second in one of the verses), and "Legacy" (a song that consists entirely of one rhyme scheme), Eminem showcases his talent in a way we haven't heard in years. Anyone who thought he fell off after the shock value driven "Relapse" and emotionally downing "Recovery" is in for a pleasant surprise. Is it better than the original? No. But it is a more than worthy sequel.… Expand
  4. Pro-Payne
    Mar 16, 2014
    10
    As crazy as this sounds, Eminem is my hero, his music has helped me through slumps and downfalls in my life. His music has helped me keep onAs crazy as this sounds, Eminem is my hero, his music has helped me through slumps and downfalls in my life. His music has helped me keep on task and push through. This album is no different for me, with funny songs and lyrics, to sad songs about betrayal. Being a fan since I was 7 (The Eminem Show was just released). He has hit it big with no "WTF" songs like "Kim" in MMLP, or "Drips" in The Eminem Show. If you like any kind of rhyming music, you will like this. (If you like country and don't listen to anything but, don't listen to this, your drunk asses won't be able to keep up with his fast rapping. Your big trucks won't be able to keep up either. :D)… Expand
  5. guiltyassassin
    Nov 5, 2013
    10
    This album is simply amazing! Just WOW! After listening to "Bad Guy", where he is talking about Stan's younger brother Mathew, it is just easyThis album is simply amazing! Just WOW! After listening to "Bad Guy", where he is talking about Stan's younger brother Mathew, it is just easy to say that this album reaches new heights that I haven't seen other albums do. No one can compare to this lyricism that Em shows on this album. Definitely not Lil Wayne. Not Drake, not J Cole, not Kanye, not Jay Z, not Kendrick (yet). Maybe only really Nas or Pac. Eminem's story telling ability is still at the top and for people to deny it simply means that they didn't truly understand the lyrics. People who don't like this album either don't get what Eminem is trying to say. I don't understand all the negative reviews here because this is an album, which is at such a high standpoint from a lyrical perspective that it's hard to argue whether any other rap album has this much genius summed up in one album. In my opinion, this is Eminem's greatest album that he's made. Just my opinion though. And he is definitely the greatest rapper of all time as he shows in "Rap God".… Expand
  6. Rap_Reviews
    Jan 21, 2019
    9
    Lyrically this is best Eminem album and best Eminem album after The Eminem show. Bad guy & Headlights are masterpiece
  7. Hel
    Nov 7, 2013
    8
    This is mainly based off of the single "The Monster" but from this single I can tell that Eminem is back and he is back for blood. There is aThis is mainly based off of the single "The Monster" but from this single I can tell that Eminem is back and he is back for blood. There is a reason why he is hailed as an amazing artist and a constant threat to all those opposing.… Expand
  8. tybizkitleigh
    Nov 8, 2013
    0
    this album is very misleading. Berzerk does not fit in this album whatsoever. This album is painful to listen through. Was hoping for a lotthis album is very misleading. Berzerk does not fit in this album whatsoever. This album is painful to listen through. Was hoping for a lot better. All i got was disappointment. Dont waste your money… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Most Discussed Album of 2013
30
#30 Most Shared Album of 2013