The Marshall Mathers LP

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Art at its most angry and offensive; NOT for kids.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that if your kids listen to popular radio or watch MTV, they are going to get a dose of Eminem, so prepare yourself. Know that there is a lot of offensive language as well as sexual and violent images.

  • Rampant homophobia and hate.
  • Like the first album, filled with murder, torture, and suicide.
  • Disrespectful and explicit.

What's the story?

Eminem's second album, THE MARSHALL MATHERS LP, is darker than his first. Many of his songs reflect on the consequences that come with fame. Eminem claims to be surprised at the notion of being accountable for his music and its effects on kids, and he clearly rejects that responsibility while waving his favorite finger at the rest of the world. As he did on his first album, Eminem uses the shock value of his lyrics to get attention, and he does it with a dark sense of humor that requires a strong stomach. Unfortunately, he also says some very hateful things that escape all sarcasm. The homophobia is abhorrent, and needs to be addressed with kids who are listening to this music.


Is it any good?

 

Offensive content aside, there is some great music on this album. The singles "Stan" and "The Way I Am" are excellent, with catchy hooks and dark lyrics. "Stan" features a haunting chorus by Dido, and "The Way I Am" has a driving beat and an impressive rhyme scheme. Eminem brings out the complex problems of pop culture. He's talented but offensive, intelligent but negative, and although his albums are only appropriate for the most mature teenagers, every elementary school playground in America has heard this music.


Explore, discuss, enjoy

Families can talk about celebrity accountability. How do celebrities affect their fans? What responsibilities come with fame? Does Eminem think his success is worth it? Note: The edited version still contains explicit content.


This review of The Marshall Mathers LP was written by
Kid, 12 years old
July 5, 2009
 
marshall is darker more seroius the shady
the third album to come from eminem shows off real talent to do beautiful emotional songs more than slim shady this album was an indicater. of what to come from eminem and trust me the next album's are darker, in fact this one is just a preview of encore and the eminem show
What other families should know:

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 12 years old
August 7, 2009
 
noooooooooooo :'-{
it was afending and skary dont let ppl listen to this booo!
What other families should know:

Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
May 30, 2009
 
Extremely Violent
An excellent album, but it is super profane and violent. If you do not like offensive content, you do not have to listen to it. Period.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 14 years old
April 24, 2009
 
Not that bad
rap music is really not that bad. It is all i listen too. My partents listen to it too. Eminem is by far the best white rapper ever and i think we should appreciate his music

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 17 years old
July 24, 2009
 
It's a great album, but it does have objectional lyrics. Actually more objectional and messed up than the average rap album.

Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
June 2, 2011
 
It's not art, it's rap
Rap isn't music to start with. I think anyone that can't make music and talks over a drum beat (study music theory, this isn't music) is too STUPID to be a legitimate role model for your child. Studies show rock and classical take far higher IQs to understand. I just don't see why you'd let your kid listen to intellectually inferior GARBAGE! I was very upset to read the headline " 'Art' at it's darkest" when art takes creativity and brainpower to make. Eminem is a mindless idiot with nothing better to do with his waste of a life than write sexist illiterate rants...
What other families should know:

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 15 years old
December 4, 2011
 
EMIN3M
In "Stan" Eminem uses "Hey Slim, I've drank a fifth of vodka, dare me to drive?" But that is all. Eminem usually uses bad launguage.
What other families should know:

Flag as inappropriate 
Parent
June 6, 2011
 
TRUTH
kids need a role model. eminem is a great example.
What other families should know:

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 12 years old
January 9, 2011
 
What other families should know:

Flag as inappropriate 
Parent of 17 year old
March 13, 2011
 
This is eminems 2nd studio album and this album is very different to the first album for 1 big reason . his relationship with Kim . The song kim is about muurdering her . the whole album is just a Violent album and i like it

Flag as inappropriate 

This review of The Marshall Mathers LP was written by
Artist:Eminem
Release date:May 23, 2000
Label:Interscope Records
Genre:Rap
Parental advisory:Yes
Edited version available:Yes

This review of The Marshall Mathers LP was written by
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.

Learning Products Quick Finder

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors