The Slim Shady LP [Explicit Lyrics]

Eminem | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: February 23, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Interscope Records
• ASIN: B00000I5JQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,192 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,493 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #7 in Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > West Coast
  • #22 in Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > Gangsta & Hardcore
  • #77 in Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > Pop Rap

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

On The Slim Shady LP, Eminem wants it all. He's conflicted, you see; the world has treated him badly, and he wants to respond in kind. But he isn't a straight-up gangsta--this is, after all, the first release on Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records, his post-Death Row-era venture--and Eminem (born Marshall Mathers) doesn't really want anyone to follow in his footsteps, which leads to some interesting contradictions on this album. In the first single, "My Name Is," he's self-deprecating, rapping about his poor upbringing and his hairy palms. But on the very next song, "Guilty Conscience," he plays the devil to Dr. Dre's angel--that is, until Eminem brings up an incident from Dre's devilish past, rapping, "You gonna take advice from someone who slapped Dee Barnes?" Later, on "'97 Bonnie & Clyde," he turns Will Smith's "Just the Two of Us" on its ear, making it a tale of murder; but on "My Fault," he actually feels bad--though whether it's for the girl he overdosed or for himself is tough to figure out. With his nasal Midwestern tone, Mathers has a clean, clear flow, and the production--by Dr. Dre, Marky, and Jeff Bass--is crisp but consistently fun. With his outlook, it's tough to take Eminem too seriously, but he's made an album you don't have to take seriously to enjoy. --Randy Silver

Product Description

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 54 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "It's me, Ken Kaniff from Connecticut..." February 13, 2003

By A. Estes

Format:Audio CD

'The Slim Shady' LP is one of those albums that you have to let grow on you. It took quite a few listens before this sunk in with me. This album isn't as catchy, or bouncy or as fun as his other stuff. Some of the tracks on this CD just get downright depressing. And that's the beauty of it. This album was written and produced before anyone knew who Eminem was (hard to believe there was such a time) and touches on some pretty heavy stuff and explores Em's very disturbed imagination. Listening to this, it is easy to see why most people hate Eminem. In the span of the album, not only does he take responsibility for the O.J. Simpson murders, but on '97 Bonnie & Clyde,' he also murders his wife with the help of his infant daughter. So yes, it's pretty sick. But that's what makes Eminem so great. He's skilled in theatrics and at times creates what can only be described as audio-horror (Note the loop used for "Just Don't Give A F..." which sounds like something straight out of the 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'). Of course, not everything on here is meant to be shocking. Eminem comes across as extremely genuine on the self-describing 'Rock Bottom' and gives a little humor to a bad situation on 'If I Had.' Oddly enough, Dr. Dre only produced the three main singles off this album and they really stick out like a sore thumb. As much as I love Dr. Dre's music, you can't help but feel that this album would almost be better off without those three tracks. As it stands, this is definetly one of the best rap albums I own. It proves that rap doesn't have to be about strippers and money. Too bad most people view this as a pop album and see Eminem as some kind of comedian. Anyone who gets past the third track on this CD will see a whole new side of Eminem they never saw before.

50 of 59 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent CD but Not for Everyone... April 8, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

The Slim Shady LP is an excellent album, but it's definitely NOT for everyone. One needs to see through the often shocking and possibly horrific lyrics to get the humor.

1)Public Service Announcement -- very funny intro to the entire album.

2)My Name Is -- I think everyone has heard this one before...

3)Guilty Conscience -- both Eminem and Dr. Dre do an awesome job on this track.

4)Brain Damage -- Excellent track, Eminem talks about his difficult childhood and takes the listeners into his life.

5)Paul -- Prelude to the Paul skit on Marshall Mathers LP

6)If I Had -- honest and heartfelt

7)97' Bonnie and Clyde -- one of the best tracks on the album IMO, but also one of the most disturbing. Not for people who don't like to hear about family murders. The track Kim from the Marshall Mathers LP is actually a prequal to this track, which is interesting.

8)B**** -- a funny skit about a girl's reaction after listening to this album.

9)Role Model -- a parody about people imitating whatever they see and whomever they idolize.

10)Lounge -- a very funny intro to the next track. Shows some of Eminem's vocal skills other than rapping...

11)My Fault -- another candidate for best track. The content is hilarious at times, although the entire song ends on a sad note.

12)Ken Kaniff -- this Kenneth Kaniff from Connecticut is pretty nasty...

13)Cum on Everybody -- resembles Drug Ballad on Marshall Mathers LP. An okay track, with a nice beat.

14)Rock Bottom -- Great track, takes the listeners into Eminem's mind when his life was extremely difficult. Shows his vulnerability and honesty.

15)Just Don't Give a -- nice beat and rhymes throughout the song.

16)Soap -- okay skit, not one of the best.

17)As the World Turns -- this is one of the weirder tracks IMO, but worth a listen.

18)I'm Shady -- dark humor in this song.

19)Bad Meets Evil -- I like the style of the song being embedded in the context of someone telling a story. Quite original.

20)Still Don't Give a -- better than its prelude, nice ending note to the whole album.

That's the Slim Shady LP for you... Enjoy the album!

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great CD, worthy of being in your collection December 27, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

What can I say about this CD. The term "White Rap" is a bit of an oxymoron. The sight of a white guy trying to be a rapper is usually enough to chill the blood. But look beyond the white rapper and you'll see a star in the making. Only future CDs will tell if this guy can make it into the realms of the Rapper's hall of fame. But I think he will make it. The only notable other white rap act being the Beastie Boys. Their debut album being still a favourite of mine. And much like the Beastie Boys, Eninem has taken a different approach to Rapping, that being witty, light hearted and begging to offend the easily offended. Thankfully Enimen has not tried to go down the Gangster Rapper route, as I think this should be left to such acts as Ice T, T-Pac and such, as they do it so well, and shouldn't be emulated by white rappers.

Enimem's flow in his lyric is pretty slick, with no real "cheesy" rhyming evident. And there is some real body to the words too, and they are generally funny in parts. And it must be said that he does go out to offend; though I think there is quite a bit of "tongue in cheek" going on in here. So if you don't like swearing and subject matter that is a bit sick (97' Bonnie & Clyde being one such song), maybe this isn't the CD for you. But if you find this CD offensive, I think you'll find most Rap offence, and maybe "Will Smith" is more appropriate. Though there is nothing wrong with Will's stuff, its just nice light music, you can play with the whole family around, and doesn't get the same reaction like the heavy side of rap does.

Like I've said, Enimem courts controversy. And such songs as "Role Model" is a direct challenge on that well-worn argument that "music, brain washes kids into doing things they shouldn't". But against all the potential controversial material, and swearing, this is a really funny and entertaining CD. It's one that you could play continuously, and could still find it enjoyable.

So to sum up. This is a great CD. And shows that maybe white guys can produce substantial rap music, which is humorous as well as original.