Music to be Murdered By: Review

1.18.20

Music To Be Murdered By 1/17/20

Six months later, but I told you Em had something coming. Typically, I don't look at my notifications in the middle of the night, because I'll probably sleep-text something risky and never go back to bed. Last night, something made me look at my phone at 3 AM (figures), and there it was. A twenty-track, brand new, Eminem album. Music To Be MurderedByis Eminem's 11th studio album, and I'm still here for it, planned or surprise. 

I'll say I was quite nervous. I saw Ed Sheeran on the features again, Revival was not my personal favorite, I was nervous to see where he was taking this project, and if I would be able to enjoy it as much as I had wanted to. I would say I was pleasantly surprised - to the point where I even enjoyed the Ed Sheeran track. Yeah yeah everyone loves him - I don't. This is a big confession for me. Anyways, let's get down to the review. 

Track 1: Premonition [Intro]. 

This starts as what we would think was a skit, like some old Eminem horror movie skit. However, we actually get a whole song from Marhsall where he basically explains what he's been going through the past few years within the industry and where we are taking this album. I think what I love the most about Eminem and all of Shady Records is their ability to adapt to the times. If you're not an Eminem fan, you probably think I am crazy for saying this, but I do believe for it to be true. 

First of all, he explains to us how he's been listening to reviews and criticism and trying to find the happy medium for his music to be respected again. So yeah, he's trying to please everyone with what they're saying at the time, but I also think it's more-so that he is studying what is going on in today's era of music. The 2 Chainz annotations make sense because, he's been around for just as long. People just don't remember Titty Boy, and somehow he is making his presence known in the midst of the Sound-Cloud rapper generation. "Nobody said shit about 2 Chainz as long as he's been here." 

On top of this, I love this Tay Keith call out. Tay Keith is a 22-year old producer from Memphis, so you know the type of people he is used to working with (Yo Gotti, Moneybagg Yo, Blac Youngsta, Key Glock, Bloc Boy JB, etc.) This type of music had its moment for sure last year, but it is so different than what we've heard as of recent from Marshall, and I think this shows his dedication to adapting to what is happening in the music industry during present times (the Tay Keith call out is on this intro, but Tay Keith actually produced Not Alike in 2018).

Track 2: Unaccommodating 

This I think is one of my favorite tracks on the album. My first time listening to this, I had my phone on the other side of the room, and I hadn't really looked at the whole track list. I like to listen through an album once for a first listen, and then really study it the second time through. So as I'm listening I was like, who is this? This sounds like Young M.A, but how did she get a song on this playlist when I'm listening to an Eminem album? Well, this is a collab I did not know I needed. I really didn't see it coming, and I think it worked our really well. Young M.A did her thing with a few good bars. I'm typically not a huge fan of so many name drops, but she made punchlines out of them all that worked. Also, her intro was on par with an old, fun, goofy Eminem track.

I think he had a lot of fun with this song, too. Calling out the MGK beef is over, but leaving a last laugh for us all. I couldn't tell you how many times he changed up the flow, I think I counted eight. The third verse is hysterical, and no, I'm not phased by the chorus or the Ariana Grande line. "But I'm contemplating yelling 'bombs away' on the game/Like I'm outside of an Ariana Grande concert waiting." Absolute prayers to everyone who was at this show - but it's just an analogy that Eminem has been using his entire career to get a rise out of people. Don't mean to be insensitive, but if you're sensitive, Em told you, this album is not for you.

Track 3: You Gon' Learn

Shout out to Royce Da 5'9" for being on this album as an artist, and a producer. My favorite line from Royce is "Segregation is being told where I'm gonna go/Separation is being woke and going wherever I wanna go."The flow for this bar kind of reminded me of the Shady CXVPHER line "We both got marketing plans/ Yours is to sell records and try to net more than you gross before/ Mine is to punch you in the face if you ever try to disrespect me then go and invest into a grocery store" back in 2014, with no beat! I feel like he took certain things from then and with a beat on it, perfected it.

If you're wondering who White Gold is, I think I found him, but I'm honestly not positive. I found this guys, @whitegoldworld on Instagram, he looks like Riitz crazy uncle. But he's from ATL and his accent seems to be missing in this song. I hear autotune, and then Eminem make fun of autotune, but it's fine. This song overall I do really like, but juuuust missed my top five.

Track 4: Alfred [Interlude]

The first of a few actual skits. It is so eery and creepy. I am obsessed with it. I really felt like I was about to embark on a scary roller coaster rider or something. 

Track 5: Those Kinda Nights

Here is the Ed Sheeran song. The last Ed Sheeran song made me cry. I do not listen to sad music, I see no need to make yourself more sad. So as mentioned, I was skeptical about what this song would be. To be frank, I honestly do not know why this song is not on the radio yet. I think it would be a massive radio hit. "This beats taking me back to my D12 days." Marshall explains, and even name drops Bizarre, and Fat Joe who notoriously regrets not singing Eminem to his label back in the day. I think this song is SO much fun, and even Ed's chorus makes me want to dance and party. Pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoy this song. Don't think I'm listening to Ed's music now, though.

Track 6: In Too Deep

In a twenty track album, you cannot expect them to all be bangers. This is one of those weird toxic love songs Em loves to make. Sure it's an interesting story, relatable for many, unique music/beat. BUT - if it's not Love the Way You Lie or Twisted, I'm skipping.

Track 7: Godzilla

When I saw Juice WRLD on the track-list, I texted my brother at 3AM (he loves Juice WRLD). This is another feature that I definitely did not see coming, but the more I think about it, it makes sense. They're both a part of Interscope records, and I do think that Juice WRLD means to the Sound-Cloud generation what Eminem meant to hip-hop in the '90s/early '00s. Maybe that sounds far-fetched, but I do not see any other of today's new artists having the potential longevity and impact on music that Juice did.  He poured all his emotions, struggles, and thoughts into his music. I really didn't listen to him that much because it was mostly emotional music, but I know what he meant to my brother and this group of kids listening to what I would call emo hip-hop music today. Maybe Lil Peep, Trippie Red, XXXTentacion, etc. have all tried to be emotional rappers. But none of them had the credibility or star power of Juice WRLD. (RIP to 3/4)

I am sensitive about people releasing an artist's music after their passing. If you do not know this, Eminem did acknowledge the passing of Juice WRLD on the physicals of the album, dedicating the album to him (and his late bodyguard CeeAaqil Allah Barnes). I'd say this doesn't technically mean all the proceeds go to Juice WRLD's family or anything like that, but it does pay respect to the artist. And I do think this is a song Juice WRLD would have loved for the world to hear. Others shared photos from the day Juice was in the studio recording for this song, and he looked on top of the world. You cannot deny that a 21 year old artist, who grew up just a few hours away from the legend, which Eminem is, that this song is a dream. I am so happy we got hear this - and okay they both went off! 

Track 8: Darkness

Interesting that this is the first song we got to see in regards to this album? I feel like Eminem tried to make this the radio song, similar to Walk On Water. We had a video the day of album release and solo tweets about this track. I would say the fans said PASS - we like Godzilla more. 

Track 9: Leaving Heaven

Skylar Grey does have a voice from Heaven, doesn't she? I love when these two get together. They are like a perfect match of immense talent and insane history. The music is visual every time. Hits a nerve that you don't want to touch, but can't help but listen to, and feel. As I continue to tell you I don't listen to sad music, this is one of those exceptions where I want to skip it so bad, but I just jam out and embrace it instead. 

Track 10: Yah Yah

Royce is back, along with Q-Tip, Black Thought and Denaun. I do think the chorus is a bit weird. But the energy, the beat, and the flow reminds me of Shady XV Slaughterhouse vibes (which I love. I skipped class to go buy the physical when this came out in 2014). So yes, this song is in my top five of the album. These guys are lyrically insane, and with the upbeat energy, this is exactly what I needed from this album.

Em said he married the rap game, had a baby and named it Machine Gun Kelly. Sure, sure, the rap beef is over. Just remember who birthed you, MGK! 

Track 11: Stepdad [Intro]

Intro mid album? Well, Eminem made a whole intro, for a single song, Stepdad. This intro was a bit more horrific to me than the skits. We know about Em's relationship with his father and how he feels about him leaving. But his stepdad? Can you imagine the amount of hate one would have for this guy? So by this intro, we can tell what is about to come in the actual song.

Track 12: Stepdad

This song was direct, descriptive, pure evidence of all the reasons why he dislikes his step-dad. Having a horrible relationship with your dad, and an iffy relationship with your mother, it would be hard for anyone. However, I think we just learned a lot more about how messed up the family situation was. It's really not a song that I would continue to listen to for fun. But I do love a song that tells a good story. I mean, it's a horrible story, but I would love to continue to learn about Marshall and where he came from for as long as he will let us in. To understand why someone feels this way, helps you understand where they're coming from in the rest of their music. You can't just call someone aggressive without knowing their story. If someone killed my puppy, I would be angry, too.

Track 13: Marsh

Another super weird chorus. I don't know about this extraterrestrial alien nonsense. I mean I get it, you're extra, extra, out of this world. Just a bit cringe-worthy of a chorus in my opinion. However, I still love this song. In an album full of really great features, Marsh and Little Engine, two solo tracks, make my top five. I think that says a lot. The punchlines and analogies in this song are crazy. "How could you say I hit a dry spell, I'm named after the wetlands." The best way to close out the song, a punchline at the title of the track. Genius!!! 

Track 14: Never Love Again

I feel similar here as I do to In Too Deep. I think this one may have a bit more energy and upbeat pace during the verses. But the chorus, UGH. I just want him to be happy! Anyways, if you're going through a breakup or a tough time and you want to relate, go ahead and vibe to this song. If you're looking for a bump on your car ride to work, skip.

Track 15: Little Engine

As recently mentioned, a solo track that made my top five favorites. We get a skit at the beginning of the song from Mr. Alfred Hancock, suggesting we are enjoying the music. Again, especially on a song that is about to start called Little Engine,I feel like Alfred is the conductor of an evil train ride I am about the embark on. Totally creepy, but ready to see what's still to come. The chorus is a bit silly, but the energy and the rhyme scheme really got me. Psycho killer came up, which is another Shady XV reference that hit me. Multiple drug and scandal references, but we all know Marshall is clean. Just to prove that he can continue to be lyrically insane, while having a level-head (you know what I mean). I think this is one where you'll hear a new punchline every time you listen, and for that, it's one of my favorites. 

Track 16: Lock It Up

I loved Anderson.Paak on Dr. Dre's album, Compton,and I feel like he just a great fit with this group, being a part of Aftermath Entertainment. You can tell an Anderson.Paak track by the beat. It's slow and old school, but holding an interesting uptempo vibe. I like this song and I would put it on repeat, but I have an opinion. Imagine if they put other young talent on this song, in addition to Paak? Like, what if YBN Cordae had a short verse on the track? You know he's been in the studio with Dr. Dre, and obviously has a huge hit out with Paak currently. I just feel like if this duo was a trio to of some sort, it would've hit even harder. On the top five chart: You almost got it.  

Track 17: Farewell

Sad song that tried to be ignorant. I'm going to listen to the intro and laugh, and then I'm going to hit skip. 

Track 18: No Regrets

First of all, I think that it is so funny that the guy on the chorus is the same guy on Travis Scott's WHAT TO DO? and his own song No Idea. How did he get here? Not sure, but the vocals really went off on this chorus. This song is powerful in an emotional way. Em takes us through it. Friends, family, fans showing all the love, to wanting him to self-destruct. He takes us through his tough times of himself hurting his family and friends, and others in the industry that did not deserve it. We all make mistakes and go through it, but it's the journey that makes us who we are. So I guess that's why even though this song is heavy on the heart, No Regrets. 

Track 19: I Will

I mentioned Slaughterhouse and Shady XV, which is most heavy on this track. The whole gang minus Joe Budden, of course. If you're going to put drums and piano into a rap song, this is the way to do it. The beat is light, but it's there. I wouldn't be surprised if this was a freestyle. Feels like the days when each of them would just vibe off each other and go in verse for verse. Throw in an Eminem chorus and a stupid long verse at the end, we have a Shady 2.0 masterpiece. I would love for everyone to get along and for these guys to get the credit and respect that they deserve.

Track 20: Alfred [Outro]

"If you haven't been murdered, I can only say better luck next time." Alfred man, you are crazy. I am so scared, and so intrigued.

I basically talked highly of most of the album. There are many horrific, insensitive and ignorant lines throughout. As we hear through the various skits, those easily offended, will be offended. However, I think this album was genius. It hit all the areas an album needs to have: the banger, the club song, the slow song, the meaningful song, and all in-between. You'll continue to hear new punchlines every time you go through. The album did not disappoint. Eminem has still got it.