Shady XV
by Eminem
  • Record Label: Shady
  • Release Date: Nov 24, 2014
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 384 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 257 out of 384
  2. Mixed: 58 out of 384
  3. Negative: 69 out of 384
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  1. joshootMi
    Feb 23, 2015
    10
    I am very confused. At a technical standpoint.. this has some of Em's best verses ever. Also.. how are the user reviews for "The Re-Up" higher than this? That's just weird. Overall songs like Psychopath Killer, Fine Line, and Right For Me are freakin incredible. I would give this at least an 8 but as an Eminem fan I gotta give it a 10.
  2. encoregaga
    Dec 16, 2017
    10
    "shadyxv" é uma das melhores musicas do eminem, "fine line" é um hino amo , eminem eu tw amooo aaaaa preciso preencher 150 caracters entao eminem reizinho do rap
  3. SuchiB14
    Nov 1, 2018
    7
    Em is really good on this album, so is Slaughterhouse and Royce. The greatest hits were disappointing, but the new stuff was slick.
  4. Diavoloo
    Jan 28, 2020
    10
    Overall songs like Psychopath Killer, Fine Line, and Right For Me are freakin incredible.
  5. RemyEm
    Dec 9, 2014
    10
    This album proved that technically Eminem is still untouchable in the game. He has incredible flow on "Vegas". Tracks like "Psychopath Killers" and "Detroit VS Everybody" have great instrumentals and hooks along with great lyrics from Big Sean, Royce, Em and Danny. Crooked I and Yelawolf took the album on another level. "Fine Line" is like the best on the album. It reminds you "The EminemThis album proved that technically Eminem is still untouchable in the game. He has incredible flow on "Vegas". Tracks like "Psychopath Killers" and "Detroit VS Everybody" have great instrumentals and hooks along with great lyrics from Big Sean, Royce, Em and Danny. Crooked I and Yelawolf took the album on another level. "Fine Line" is like the best on the album. It reminds you "The Eminem Show" era. This album is on repeat since the day of its release.… Expand
  6. Bruce3222
    Nov 30, 2014
    10
    There's nothing more to ask for from Eminem but to bring Slim Shady and do him the ultimate justice he didn't quite get on MMLP2. There are more WOW moments in this album than you could have expected so, it also has the element of suprise from the very first track, "Shady XV". "Psychopath Killer" "Vegas" and "Twisted" are album's best, of course there are lots of other songs that'll makeThere's nothing more to ask for from Eminem but to bring Slim Shady and do him the ultimate justice he didn't quite get on MMLP2. There are more WOW moments in this album than you could have expected so, it also has the element of suprise from the very first track, "Shady XV". "Psychopath Killer" "Vegas" and "Twisted" are album's best, of course there are lots of other songs that'll make you find yourself stucked to your phone or computer; like singles "Guts Over Fear" and "Y'all 'Ready Know" and D12's cut (first in many years, also) is pretty interesting. So, to sum up, I guess we have to say.... SHADY'S BACK!!!!!… Expand
  7. Hypocritics
    Nov 25, 2014
    10
    I've been waiting for this Eminem for a long time. MMLP2 was a great start, but he's honing on a production style, this rock/hip hop infused stuff, that really works. His rhymes as as sinister as ever, throwback to 2001 with this Iggy Azalea stuff. Eminem fans should be happy with this one.
  8. ryguy2109
    Feb 2, 2015
    7
    Eminem sounds hungry, fresh, and interesting. The songs have potency and evoke emotions. I thought the production was solid, and I like the way the album introduced Shady label in digestible bits, while Eminem was the glue of the project. As a persistent Eminem fan, this was a very satisfying collabo project
  9. kathryn531
    Nov 26, 2014
    9
    All around, a very enjoyable listen. Many of the tracks from the new album gave me goosebumps. I laughed out loud at Shady XV and how Eminem uses his old nasal voice. He's as introspective and self aware as always. Fine Line takes us back into the sometimes very troubled mind of Marshall Mathers. His singing is endearing and downright good at times on Twisted. He wisely featuredAll around, a very enjoyable listen. Many of the tracks from the new album gave me goosebumps. I laughed out loud at Shady XV and how Eminem uses his old nasal voice. He's as introspective and self aware as always. Fine Line takes us back into the sometimes very troubled mind of Marshall Mathers. His singing is endearing and downright good at times on Twisted. He wisely featured himself heavily on the new album to make his legions of fans happy and satisfied. His collaboration with Slaughterhouse on Psychopath Killer invoked a range of somewhat difficult to describe emotions in me. Yelawolf was superb on his Twisted verse. I've had it on nonstop loop since Monday. Yay--thank you, Eminem, for a rather unexpected early Christmas gift this year!… Expand
  10. RapCritic
    Nov 26, 2014
    9
    I've had this on repeat since it was released, really loving this one although the D12 song, Bane, was a little disappointing. Still can't wait for their album.
  11. wrath_of_khan
    Nov 28, 2014
    8
    While the new songs on this track are worth the price of admission, most of the greatest hits chosen don't belong. Vegas and SHADYXV are fantastic.
    For those wanting Shady back, he is here. However if you want to listen to some of the old stuff, the tracks on here simply aren't that great.
  12. musicmindful
    Dec 13, 2014
    7
    If someone was to say this was a 10/10 album then they would probably give that rank to any album that they like. Ive been listening to eminem for almost my whole like and i would say this album was better then mmlp2 and i actually enjoyed this album very much. The song twisted feat. Skylar grey and yelawolf is good although it doesnt have much of eminem in it, i could see this being theIf someone was to say this was a 10/10 album then they would probably give that rank to any album that they like. Ive been listening to eminem for almost my whole like and i would say this album was better then mmlp2 and i actually enjoyed this album very much. The song twisted feat. Skylar grey and yelawolf is good although it doesnt have much of eminem in it, i could see this being the most commercial song on the album along side with guts over fear. Lyrically this album is outstanding and is probably some of marshalls greatest word play and flowing albums. I would definitely recommend giving phychopath killer and vegas a listen before going straight to the more mainstream songs. This album also has some "okay" songs like "right for me" and "fine line" but i think it may take some time to grow on the listener. Its been a slow year for music and i could say that this album is not one that i think you should miss. 7.5/10… Expand
  13. kellenryan90
    Dec 21, 2014
    8
    Solid album. Very lyrical, very twisted, very funny and occasionally introspective. More songs by other Shady labelmates would've rounded out the album more however, and the D12 song is pretty generic. Psychopath Killer, Vegas, Y'all Ready Know, Fine Line and Twisted are highlights.
  14. KAG
    Mar 1, 2015
    9
    Loved the new material, especially Psychopath Killer, Twisted, Detroit vs. Everybody, and Fine Line. Down by Yelawolf is pretty catchy too. This is fresh, innovative and original stuff. It is almost futuristic-sounding! I'm not really sure why some are such harsh critics of this album. Eminem fans get to hear him on 9 of the 12 new tracks and we get to hear the talents of the rest ofLoved the new material, especially Psychopath Killer, Twisted, Detroit vs. Everybody, and Fine Line. Down by Yelawolf is pretty catchy too. This is fresh, innovative and original stuff. It is almost futuristic-sounding! I'm not really sure why some are such harsh critics of this album. Eminem fans get to hear him on 9 of the 12 new tracks and we get to hear the talents of the rest of the Shady crew on a most enjoyable collection.… Expand
  15. StayClassie
    Dec 20, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Before I go into my take on the album, there is one thing that constantly pesters me about all Eminem reviews, and it's the same thing that everyone does when listening to his album. Instead of looking at the album individually everyone compares the album to Eminem's past work, most notably SSLP-TES Everyone I have spoken to about this album says it is a bad album because its not like his old work. They're all like, this album is bad because its not the "MMLP" and his songs aren't like his classics, such as, "Sing For The Moment," "Kill You," or "Just Don't Give A F***," to name a few. No they are not like these songs and to be honest no song out, by any artist, since those songs can compare with them. These songs are classic for a reason they are amazing, truly works of art, and when they came out no one was comparing them to old songs, they were just listening to the song and enjoying its content. Listeners can't expect to hear songs exactly like his old work because Eminem's done that already, he already rapped about that content on those classic songs why would he do it again. Another problem with people when it comes to Eminem, is the fact that everyone is so inconsistent on what they want from him. With his new songs, lets start with Recovery. People were not a fan of mature, grown up Eminem, yelling about his problems and begged for crazy Slim Shady to come back and a more lyrical Eminem. On "MMLP2", he did just mixed with Marshall Mathers. For the most part, people enjoyed "MMLP2" but once again everyone compares it to the "MMLP", which in retrospect is normal with an album that is named after his best selling album. However, the "MMLP2" wasn't a direct sequel, it was just revisiting the old style people loved mixed in with the new one. Once again, people still have a problem with Eminem, who was 41 at the time of the release, changing and want him to go back to how he was circa 1999-2003. Another aspect people noted on "MMLP2," was how Eminem is more focused on a lyrical aspect, with sick rhyme schemes, and a crazy flow and technical aspect in his lyricism, and he how he needs to focus on his punchlines and way with words. In other words they don't want what they asked for in 2010 after "Recovery." With the MMLP2, and Shady XV, finally talking about the album in review, people now have a problem with Eminem's "Slim Shady-like content." Wait, WHAT! Thats exactly what listeners said they wanted from Eminem, they wanted him to go back to Slim Shady, wasn't it?" Truly people who listen to Eminem, besides Stans, can never be happy with whatever Eminem is doing. Eminem, on Shady XV, is rapping about misogyny, making fun of women, raping women, violence towards women, the Boston Marathon bombing, his past, his male sex organ, and many, many, many sexual references and "inappropriate" topics all in a lyrical way with crazy rhymes and great wordplay. I'm pretty sure thats Slim Shady, in fact you can't get more Slim Shady than that. On a notable line on "Psychopath Killer," Eminem raps about having sex with the mother of a girl he mentioned in the previous line. In an interview in Germany, Eminem said the difference between Eminem and Slim Shady is Eminem would F*** you and Slim Shady would F*** you and your mother. This whole album sounds like Slim Shady content to me, but no people are saying its not Slim Shady, Why, because he doesn't hold his nose when he raps anymore? Eminem grew up, he matured, and sobered up he is not going to sound like a child anymore, in fact, he mentions holding his nostrils when he raps on "SHADYXV". "SHADYXV" is a hilarious opening 5 minute track, with no hook, filled with jokes, word play, references to "FACK," and the "Paul Skits," in something that truly feels like a 2014 version of classic Slim Shady in a good way if you actually just listen to the song. Everyone's problem with "SHADYXV" the album is how Eminem, is 42 and shouldn't be rapping about misogyny, raping women and all that stuff in this day and age. He is being inappropriate, childish, and has no respect for women, or anyone for that matter. No, he's being Slim Shady/Eminem. Earth to everyone, HE HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS. The thing was Eminem did this when people were more popular then him, now there's no one more popular than him and he stopped it for a while but he's back. So wait, now you don't want Slim Shady, you guys are saying you want more anger in Eminem with less homophobic lyrics, that's "Recovery". It's true everyone can't be happy with whatever Eminem's style is but honestly his lyrical aspect has never been stronger. Instead of listening to "ShadyXV" and comparing it to classic Eminem just listen to the album listen to the wordplay and the rhymes and see how great of an album it is on its own. Sure it doesn't flow or have a story like all other albums, but thats because its just a compilation album of Shady Records artists meant to show off their lyrical talent, which it did.… Expand
  16. Twalf
    Dec 3, 2014
    8
    I'm not going to give the album a 10. That's not a bad thing. I'm not too impressed with the "greatest hits" that they decided to go with. That said, the new material is amazing! Eminem's rhyme scheme in die alone is ridiculously good. This is a really complex album. If someone was to say that they didn't like it, I'd be fine with that. I understand that this isn't an album for everyone.I'm not going to give the album a 10. That's not a bad thing. I'm not too impressed with the "greatest hits" that they decided to go with. That said, the new material is amazing! Eminem's rhyme scheme in die alone is ridiculously good. This is a really complex album. If someone was to say that they didn't like it, I'd be fine with that. I understand that this isn't an album for everyone. Especially die hard eminem fans. Eminem is doing very different things in this album and I for one love it. I have always been a fan of Eminem's raw spitting ability and this album basically consists of just that. It doesn't sound that great though. But that's not the point of this album. This is an album that shows Eminem's skill as a rapper better than any of his others. I do however wish that it had some more of his classic style stuff. Eminem has evolved to solely showing his skill as a wordsmith and because of it, the lyrics are better but the production is lacking. Still love it though. Very impressive content.… Expand
  17. klepp0906
    Dec 18, 2014
    8
    you know. all you childish retards that could care less about anyoen or anything but yourselves need to grow up. All you do is skew the numbers and decrease the legitimacy of the site by acting like children. A zero? REALLY?!?! Give me a break. My dad HATES rap and HE wouldnt give it a zero. Come on. I could care less if we were commenting on liberace.... it isnt about eminemyou know. all you childish retards that could care less about anyoen or anything but yourselves need to grow up. All you do is skew the numbers and decrease the legitimacy of the site by acting like children. A zero? REALLY?!?! Give me a break. My dad HATES rap and HE wouldnt give it a zero. Come on. I could care less if we were commenting on liberace.... it isnt about eminem its about the foolish ignorant behavior skewing the numbers.

    More on topic, some of his new songs while not "innovative" are certainly good. His lyrical dexterity is improving constantly and he already set the bar so high, the only person he needs to top is himself. Coulda done w/out a rehash of the old material but I was surprised he even released a new album.

    Not much else to say. If you like eminem you'll love it. He certainly kills it on several songs. Hope he has another half dozen albums in him before he retires.

    Em if you read this, would be awesome if you werent so ungrateful and rude to your fans. Your very wealthy and live an ultra/hyper privelaged life we all dream about due to them and yet you belittle your fans at every turn. So people gawk at you when your out? Really big price to pay for a 9 figure bank account..... TBH some would LOVE that attention and to get astronomically overpaid on top of it.. shoot, you live better than heads of state and kings of old.... quit complaining.    … Expand
  18. Shady313
    Mar 21, 2015
    9
    9/10 .................................................................................................................................................
  19. RobVanHars
    Feb 5, 2016
    7
    Disappointed as a Stan. This might be a great mix tape but an album, nah. The production is not the best, production on the re up still better. gave it a 7 cause off guts over fear and Detroit vs. everybody
  20. flametail23
    Jun 27, 2015
    7
    Theres a decent amount of songs on this album, most of the new ones are great with a couple of acceptions and the old classics are well...classics. It's not the best album but I enjoyed quite a few songs on this.
  21. Urbanlistener
    Apr 23, 2015
    8
    After a great sequel for the MMLP album, expectations were high for Em's next album. I can say Eminem fully satisfied my expectations. On the technical side, Eminem is un-freaking-believable with his verses, the way he connects his rhymes like dots is amazing, he just eats the mic! Most of the beats are great and the guest features from our old favorites like D12 and Royce da 59 and ourAfter a great sequel for the MMLP album, expectations were high for Em's next album. I can say Eminem fully satisfied my expectations. On the technical side, Eminem is un-freaking-believable with his verses, the way he connects his rhymes like dots is amazing, he just eats the mic! Most of the beats are great and the guest features from our old favorites like D12 and Royce da 59 and our new favorites like Big Sean and Big KRIT are more than welcomed. Psychopath Killer is absolutely amazing and without any doubt the best song on the album. The only disappointment is the best of cd who is strange in its composition.… Expand
  22. TheCriticReview
    Nov 17, 2017
    8
    I am very confused. At a technical standpoint.. this has some of Em's best verses ever. Also.. how are the user reviews for "The Re-Up" higher than this? That's just weird. Overall songs like Psychopath Killer, Fine Line, and Right For Me are freakin incredible. I would give this at least an 8.
  23. ArkodeepSen
    Jan 23, 2020
    10
    Insant classic. This is the best album of all time. Nothing can be better than this. This is the greatest piece of music.
  24. shaly21
    Jan 20, 2020
    10
    I'm a big Eminem fan (though nowhere close to his biggest fan), so I got this album and am mostly pleased with it. Since Eminem's style is a little different than some of the other artists that appear on the album, not every song resonates perfectly with my taste, hence why I knocked off one star. No regrets on buying it, as Eminem is prominently featured throughout, so still pretty enjoyable.
  25. slimshady99
    Jan 22, 2020
    10
    This album shout every one facking mouth its was pure fire thanks agian em ❤️
  26. The-X-Territory
    Jan 24, 2021
    8
    Musically and Lyrically, this album is great. The members of Shady prove how time adds talent instead of taking it. With Detroit vs Everybody being the obvious but logical choice for best song, Guts over Fear showing how even Eminem doubts himself, Psychopath Killer being a lyrical masterpiece, Twisted being a much better singing song than Stronger than I was (probably Em's best singing toMusically and Lyrically, this album is great. The members of Shady prove how time adds talent instead of taking it. With Detroit vs Everybody being the obvious but logical choice for best song, Guts over Fear showing how even Eminem doubts himself, Psychopath Killer being a lyrical masterpiece, Twisted being a much better singing song than Stronger than I was (probably Em's best singing to date), this album is great. It would be a 9.... if it didnt sample FACK.... it would be better if we forgot that song ever happened.… Expand
  27. tombradygoat
    Nov 23, 2022
    10
    don't care what you think, i still love this one. "detroit vs everybody" is a hell of a banger
  28. behumblebtch
    Nov 26, 2022
    8
    Not a big fan of this one but still great. I consider it a solid 8 in my book.

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Most Discussed Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. PopMatters
    Jan 20, 2015
    60
    The “Greatest Hits” CD is made up more of deep cuts than big hits, but with a few well known tracks included. There is substantially less Eminem than on the first side.
    Read full review
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Dec 15, 2014
    50
    As a reminder of Eminem’s vocal showboating, ShadyXV is impressive. The problem--and it’s a persistent one--is that where once his anger was energetic, now it simply betrays lethargy.
    Read full review
  3. RapReviews.com
    Dec 9, 2014
    40
    Shady XV seems like it was made for: diehard fans of Marshall; and fresh kids who don't know no better. Otherwise, you'll probably have forgotten about the album by 2015, and 95% of the label's energy will soon be diverted to the next Eminem solo LP all over again.
    Read full review
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