Photo: Eminem
As if big releases from Kayne West and Jay Z in 2013 weren't enough, Slim Shady is back with a bang - his inevitably controversial new album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2. The rapper has already scored a huge US hit with the track's first official single, the Rick Rubin-produced, Beastie Boys' sampling 'Berzerk', which shows Eminem back to his best on his first studio album since his 2010 release, Recovery.
Details are scarce on The Marshall Mathers LP 2, but we've pulled together what information we have on what is set to be one of the biggest rap releases of 2014. So turn your cap backwards, pull on a grey hoodie and turn your aggression to the max - here's everything we know about Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP 2...
It's a follow up to his most successful album
Well, this makes sense. Eminem claims the new album is a direct follow up to the most successful album of his career to date, The Marshall Mathers LP. Released in 2000, the album sold 27,000,000 copies worldwide and spawned massive hit singles 'The Real Slim Shady', 'The Way I Am' and 'Stan' - so, no pressure there then.
So will it have another track like 'Stan'?
We've heard Eminem back to his aggressive best on new single 'Berzerk' and Call Of Duty track 'Survival', but what of his softer side? The star scored one of the biggest hits of his career with his Dido duet 'Stan', which the duo performed live at this year's Reading Festival. Having revived this iconic hit, surely he'd be foolish not to include a new rap heartbreaker on his new album?
The album will have 'the element of surprise'
Eminem's new album has been delayed due to his work on the new album from rap collective, Slaughterhouse, who are signed to his own record label, Shady Records. Speaking to Gigwise recently, rappers Joell Ortiz, and Royce da 5'9" told us that The Marshall Mathers LP 2 would have an 'element of surprise' - like his previous work.
Royce admits, “Em’s whole thing is the element of surprise. That’s how it’s always been with him.”
“He gets in to his own world,” says Slaughthouse co-star Joell Ortiz. “But c’mon... that’s Eminem. That’s the homie now. I’m sure we’ll be working with him for it.”
But don't get your hopes too high, the album is 'nothing to get excited about' - apparently
Ever the master of bizarre self-promotion, Eminem first publicly discussed his new album in a interview on ESPN Saturday Night Football coverage - but didn't seem too excited about the album. When asked what excited him about The Marshall Mathers LP 2 he responded 'nothing', adding: "I'll probably be most excited to just be done with it."
50 Cent is on the album (or so he claims)
A long-time collaborator with Eminem, 50 Cent confirmed his appearance on the new album, and may possibly feature on the album's second single, having stated his collaboration with Slim Shady would be the first or second single from the record. Fiddy is notable for his absense from 'Berzerk', so maybe he'll be on the follow up?
His choice of producers isn't to be sniffed at
Shady has teamed up once again with Dr Dre, who first discovered and signed the young Marshall Mathers in 1998. Dre has been a driving force in Eminem's career, with the two working closely together across his seven previous studio albums. He has also added Rick Rubin to the mix on The Marshall Mathers LP 2, whose influence and style can be heard on his brilliant 'Berzerk' single, which is powered by a massive samples both 'The Stroke' by Billy Squier and 'Fight For Your Right' and 'The New Style' by Beastie Boys.
He's going BIG on Call Of Duty
As well as new single 'Berzerk', Eminem's 'Survival' track is taken from the new Call Of Duty video game - and American fans who buy this November's Call Of Duty release will get a free download copy of The Marshall Mathers LP 2. No doubt Eminem was handsomely rewarded with video game merchandise and great big piles of cash for his involvement and support.
Will the album discuss the extent of his drug addiction?
Eminem has never shyed away from discussing his drug abuse issues, but in the build up to the release of The Marshall Mathers LP 2, Eminem has opened up about the true depths of his abuse issues. In 2013 documentary, How To Make Money Selling Drugs, the rapper stated: "My organs were shutting down. My liver, kidneys, everything. They were going to have to put me on dialysis. They didn't think I was gonna make it," so will we see Mathers get more intimate and more personal than ever on his new album?
