Pretty much everyone on this planet has heard of Eminem. After all, he’s undoubtedly one of the greatest rappers of all time! With over 25 years of incredible work behind him, Eminem is one of the only rappers who has stayed consistent and kept up with legendary status.
To celebrate Eminem and his amazing career, we’re taking you through five of his best albums and our favorite songs that feature on them. Trust us when we say this guide wasn’t a walk in the park to create, especially as everything Eminem has produced is gold!
The best Eminem albums
- The Marshall Mathers LP
- The Eminem Show
- The Slim Shady LP
- The Marshall Mathers LP 2
- Music To Be Murdered By
The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
Crowned as the best-selling rap album of all time (and certified diamond!), The Marshall Mathers LP features some of the best Eminem songs to date. The whole album shows off Eminem’s incredible talent for storytelling, covering important topics such as misogyny, homophobia and rape.
Released in the earlier days of his career in the 2000s, The Marshall Mathers LP really helped Eminem to portray himself however he liked. “The Real Slim Shady” introduces us to the unruly blonde man who does what he wants, and when he wants. “Stan” shines a light on the difficulties that come from devoted fanship and “Kill You” is full of shocking twists and turns.
If The Marshall Mathers LP was the only album Eminem ever created, it would still be enough to crown him as a legendary rapper. But, as expected, we’re only just getting started.
Featured on: Best red cover albums
Top songs from The Marshall Mathers LP
- The Real Slim Shady
- The Way I Am
- Stan
- Kill You
The Eminem Show (2002)
When The Eminem Show was first released, it very quickly became the best-selling album of all time. And that’s all with good reason. In true Eminem fashion, this album goes even deeper into social issues, taking more of a focus on Eminem’s own troubles.
In terms of production, the sound used on The Eminem Show was a lot heavier than in previous work, combining both rap and rock-like elements. Our personal favourite tunes that are recognisable from the first beat include “Without Me” and “Superman”; both of which helped the album reach platinum status.
Top songs from The Eminem Show
- Cleanin’ Out My Closet
- Without Me
- Superman
- Till I Collapse
The Slim Shady LP (1999)
As the name suggests, The Slim Shady LP introduces us to Eminem’s alter ego. In fact, the whole album is told through the eyes of Slim Shady, which will almost make you forget it’s an Eminem production. The album won a Grammy just a year after its release, paving the way for more work for Slim Shady.
The Slim Shady LP is without a doubt the album that took Eminem from a respected rapper to a worldwide celebrity. This is thanks to the amazing tunes “My Name Is” and “Bad Meets Evil”; both tracks feature deep cuts and bold lyrics to assert Eminem’s dominance. It’s no surprise that this album made it to No.2 on the Billboard 200.
Featured on our top artists in the 1990s
Top songs from The Slim Shady LP
- My Name Is
- Bad Meets Evil
- Guilty Conscious
- 97 Bonnie & Clyde
The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013)
Releasing a follow-up album is always a bold move, especially 13 years after the original release. However, there was no need to doubt Eminem, as The Marshall Mathers LP 2 is just as incredible as the first.
The Marshall Mathers LP 2 combines Eminem’s old school beatboxing style with his many years of lyrical masterminding. This modern experiment was once again one that paid off, featuring tracks like “Berzerk” and “Rap God” which set the bar extremely high for rappers of the future. “The Monster” is another favorite from the album, featuring none other than Rihanna. This particular song went on to win a Grammy thanks to its unique mix of sounds.
Titled the seventh number-one album in his career, The Marshall Mathers LP 2 was yet another reminder that Eminem has just as much talent as he did when he walked onto the scene over twenty years ago.
Top songs from The Marshall Mathers LP 2
- Berzerk
- The Monster
- Rap God
- Survival
Music To Be Murdered By (2020)
You best believe that Eminem continues releasing some of his greatest work. To celebrate 25 years of legendary status, Eminem released Music To Be Murdered By in 2020. Giving Eminem the rare status of producing ten consecutive number-one albums, Music To Be Murdered By highlights the shift in rap music without straying too far from Eminem’s roots.
Featuring unlikely collaborations with artists like Juice Wrld and Don Toliver, Music To Be Murdered By is a unique masterpiece that carries all of Eminem’s true talents. While this album faced criticism for certain comments, this has never been something Eminem has shied away from. Eminem has always garnered controversy for his work and will never be able to please everyone.
Top songs from Music To Be Murdered By
- Godzilla
- No Regrets
- Unaccommodating
- Premonition
Final thoughts
Eminem has released many albums in his time, winning left, right, and center awards. While we’ve only highlighted five best-selling albums, his trophy cabinet is never-ending.
If you enjoyed this guide, we’ve got plenty more where that came from. Check out the top Kendrick Lamar albums or our suggested Kanye songs to listen to for more greatness!
