The Marshall Mathers LP

The Marshall Mathers LP is the third full-length album from American rapper Eminem. The bulk of the album was written in Amsterdam, with Dr. Dre (who did much of the production) holding a telephone to his speakers so Eminem could hear the beats. "The Real Slim Shady", the first single and a huge hit, was written back in the United States, as the deadline neared and no radio-friendly singles were yet written.

Related Topics:
Eminem - Amsterdam - Dr. Dre - Production - United States

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The Marshall Mathers LP won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.

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Stylistically, The Marshall Mathers LP includes most of the same elements as his previous recordings. Perhaps most distinctive is his frequent changes in voices, sometimes rapping as three or four characters in a single song, as well as quickly changing emotions and temperament in individual songs; similarly, he frequently uses background sound effects, such as screeching tires. He switches wildly between Southern head-bopping drawls, to deadpan or raspy and desperate, even sobbing and screaming on "Kim". The production behind the lyrics is similarly varied, including Gothic bells, tinkling calypso music and deep, primal thumps.

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Eminem was frequently criticized, particularly for this album, for his violent and sexual lyrics. Parents groups complained that it was not suitable for its listeners. In spite of the criticism, the album received rave reviews from both mainstream media and rap outlets, becoming one of the best-selling rap LPs of all time. The Marshall Mathers LP was nominated for a Grammy for Album of the Year, but lost to Steely Dan's Two Against Nature. Many observers felt that the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (which awards the Grammies) did not want to give the award to Eminem due to the controversy.

Related Topics:
Grammy - Album of the Year - Steely Dan - Two Against Nature - Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences

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It is number 302 on the List of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

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The Marshall Mathers LP was ranked 77th in a 2005 survey held by British television's Channel 4 to determine the 100 greatest albums of all time.

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