Top 10 Best Eminem Albums

The Top Ten
1 The Marshall Mathers LP

Dark, twisted, horrifying... amazing, a masterpiece, the best. Degrading, misogynistic, homophobic... but Eminem loves Kim, has matured, and doesn't hate gays. This album is deep, offensive in so many ways, and ridiculously irresponsible. But that's why it's the best. Only when you see all sides of Marshall and Slim can you have a masterpiece. It has skits, catchy songs (especially "The Real Slim Shady"), a Dido sample in one of the greatest rap songs of all time (of course, "Stan"), a new kind of love song ("Kim"), and "The Way I Am" is him raging with some of the most well-put-together lyrics of his career. It doesn't match up with "Stan," but almost nothing ever will. And these are just the most well-known songs. I'm sorry, but none of Marshall's, or Em's, or Slim's new albums will ever match up to this one, barring a miracle. The best.

This or The Eminem Show is the best. I also liked Relapse and The Slim Shady LP. This album had many great songs like: The Way I Am, Stan, The Real Slim Shady, Criminal, Kill You, etc. The Eminem Show had awesome songs like: 'Till I Collapse, Sing For the Moment, Cleanin' Out My Closet, Without Me, Superman, etc. Relapse had Déjà vu, Insane, Beautiful, Crack A Bottle, Elevator, etc. The Slim Shady LP featured Rock Bottom, Role Model, As the World Turns, My Name Is, etc.

To be honest, he has so many good songs and albums that it is hard to tell which is the best and worst because he is obviously the best rapper.

Eminem's worst album is probably an average rapper's best album.

2 The Eminem Show

Honestly, I love all his albums (except for Revival, don't get me started), but The Eminem Show takes the cake. If I were to rank Eminem's albums, it'd probably go:

1. The Eminem Show
2. The Marshall Mathers LP
3. The Slim Shady LP
4. MMLP2

I mean it when I say this album has no bad songs. Currently, my top 5 favorites from this album, in order, are:

1. White America
2. Without Me
3. 'Til I Collapse
4. Cleaning Out My Closet
5. Superman

Well, I'm not surprised that people of today's age don't see that this is his best album. This is the pinnacle of Eminem's skill set. He was the crazy Slim Shady, and that sold a lot of records. On this album, he seems to settle into his Eminem persona. "Till I Collapse," "White America," and my personal favorite - which I also think is Em's best song - "Sing for the Moment," completely capture the mood of a rebellion to this "democracy of hypocrisy."

Throw in some classic Slim Shady-esque tracks like "Business" and "Without Me," and I think you're good to go. Yes, "The Real Slim Shady" and "My Name Is" are classics and are remembered as Em's greatest hits, but you can't overlook the sheer power of this album. It's not until "Encore" that the Eminem we all loved and knew started slipping away to the "Relapse" Eminem.

3 The Slim Shady LP

The Slim Shady LP is raw Eminem with the great production of Dr. Dre. The fact that almost all of the songs have the "mic check, 1, 2" before their respective first verses displays his raw rapping. This is Em at his roots (after Infinite and the EP) but with better production values. I actually prefer the Marshall Mathers LP over this album, but this album really needs votes because it is behind Recovery.

This should be Number 1. I remember when my friends were talking about this nonstop because of the things they heard about him. This album has a song for any mood you're in. Feeling sad? Listen to Rock Bottom. Feeling angry? Listen to Bad Meets Evil (Feat. Royce the 5'9). Feeling humorous? Listen to Guilty Conscience, or My Name Is, and My Fault. This album is absolutely AMAZING. Please give this album a listen. It's great. I'd probably give a BestAlbumOfAllTime/10 rating.

This album, along with The Marshall Mathers LP, are the best! The Slim Shady LP is the real shady lunatic Eminem that we really like. The lyrics are pure awesome! Eminem brought with both of these albums a new mindset to the hip hop industry. I would put both of the albums somewhere in the top of hip hop albums of all times.

4 Recovery

His seventh studio album, Recovery, was confirmed during a press release by Eminem's label on March 5, 2009, and was originally titled Relapse 2. In June 2009, Eminem said that he expected a release during the fourth quarter of 2009, with Rolling Stone reporting a November 2009 release date. However, in November 2009, he stated that he would re-release Relapse, with extra songs, to hold fans over for the release of Relapse 2 in 2010. It was voted the most anticipated album of fall 2009 by XXL. It was slated to be the second Eminem album released in 2009, after Relapse, but was pushed back to 2010. Recovery was released on June 21 in the United States and the United Kingdom, and on June 18 in the rest of Europe.

Recovery was a great album, so stop trying to be cool by saying it wasn't because it was "too pop." Sure, there were iffy beats, but it is filled with some of his most emotional songs ever and very strong lyrics. I agree, I don't love 'Not Afraid', but stop saying Recovery was worse than Encore. I want you to play 'My 1st Single', 'Rain Man', 'Big Weenie', 'Just Lose It', and 'Ass Like That' straight in a row and tell me that Encore was a better album than Recovery.

Recovery is by no means my favorite album from Slim, but it does not deserve the hate it gets. I think he did a great job on the album and it deserves more respect.

5 The Marshall Mathers LP 2

I'm crazy about this album from start to finish. I honestly got drawn in from the very first line of "Bad Guy," which is such a fantastic example of storytelling. There's a twist there I never saw coming because I honestly took the song at surface value, possibly being about his ex-wife. I was so wrong. This album has such an eclectic mix of stellar songs. I have to admit that I slept on Eminem's last few albums because I thought he had lost some of that singular presence he had from the moment he exploded onto the scene 15 or more years ago. This album brought all of those memories back. It just solidifies his place as one of the greatest to ever do it, and certainly the greatest rapper alive.

Such an underrated album. People hear the song "Monster" and just assume this album is to make him a little more money. This album shows a new level of maturity and artistry from him, and once you really listen to the lyrics and the meaning, you then realize how great his talents are, if not understood before. Really look at "Evil Twin". The wordplay is wonderful.

6 Relapse

Best album for choruses and beats by far. Best for rapping? No (The Marshall Mathers LP is the best for that). Too much of the accent. But big Eminem fans would love this album best. I also love Relapse: Refill (best songs are Elevator and My Darling). My favorite songs (not counting Refill) are Insane, Beautiful, We Made You, Old Time's Sake, Déjà Vu, and Crack a Bottle. Eminem is the best rapper alive by far, and I think this is his best album. But I don't diss the other albums, though (except for Recovery and Encore).

Let me say this. This album changed my life. This was his comeback album before Recovery came out. This album was so dark and honest, yet so full of positivity - you know, the light at the end of the drug tunnel. My favorite besides The Eminem Show for second, and my first album at third by him, The Slim Shady LP. I freaking hated The Marshall Mathers LP though. Everybody jumped on the bandwagon then. Love ya, Em. Stay hard and underground, by the way, The Marshall Mathers LP 2 is at number 4 for me and is totally berserk. Laugh out loud.

7 Encore

My favorite album is The Eminem Show, and this album could have been a close second. The artwork is amazing and follows the story of Em going crazy with all the fame, so he kills his audience at a concert before killing himself (the CD disc being the beginning of what appears to be a suicide note). It's kind of like a sequel to The Eminem Show where he's just become a best-selling artist with The Marshall Mathers LP. If only Encore were shorter, by about 7 songs.

If he hadn't added songs like "Rain Man," "Big Weenie," "Ass Like That," or "Just Lose It," it could have been a great EP. This album has a lot of good tracks, like "Like Toy Soldiers" and "Yellow Brick Road," but then as soon as it got to "My 1st Single," it lost all credibility for me. It just feels lazy. Even the song "Evil Deeds," which has some pretty smart rhymes in the first verse but an unlistenable flow, feels lazy. Em used to be rhyming whole sentences together, but here we see him rhyming "me" with "scream."

I'm not saying the album is necessarily bad. He just needed to stop screwing around so much and trying too hard to be funny, because he's already hilarious and witty without talking about accidentally having anal sex with a quarterback.

He needed to focus more on quality over quantity.

8 Curtain Call: The Hits

Leaving aside the small FACT that Stan is THE greatest single of all time - even without it, this album is gold. It makes me laugh, shows immense empathy, and displays a refusal not to be himself. If Stan had been written by someone called a poet, then it would be taught in schools - as it should be. Eminem is whatever I say he is, and that is - the greatest wordsmith of our age. No question.

It's just like a "greatest hits" album. How could any album be better than a greatest hits album? If you didn't vote for this album and voted maybe for The Marshall Mathers LP or The Slim Shady LP, then just know your favorite song is probably in this album.

This album is not only his best rap performance but also the most iconic. Songs like "Lose Yourself" and "Stan" are most notable, but what about songs like "When I'm Gone" or "Without Me"? This album is his best work, and it's an album that truly exemplifies Eminem in his entirety.

9 Infinite

Infinite is unbelievable. Anyone who hasn't listened to it or hasn't heard of it needs to get it banging ASAP if they consider themselves a true hip hop head. It tops his other albums hands down lyrically, and each track has a thick bass line. You won't be disappointed. Dope.

This should really be top 5. Obviously, a lot of people have never heard this album, so I recommend that you all listen to it because some of his best lyrics are on this album, and Infinite is one of my favorite Eminem songs. Go listen to this.

It's not the best for its time, but it illustrates Em's versatility. He's a rapper that can adjust to the change in style of rap beautifully. Infinite showcases Em's great ability, even this early in his career. It's a personal favorite of mine, at least top 5.

10 Relapse: Refill

Rhyme schemes were awesome. The accent wasn't that much of a bother (except in the song Buffalo Bill). Overall, this is a fantastic album with some really great bonus songs. I liked Elevator, Taking My Ball, and Forever the best of the bonus songs. On the original Relapse, I would have to say Insane, Medicine Ball, and Old Time's Sake.

Despite the small number of tracks on this album, I had to include it in the list. Forever and Elevator bring a new sense of Slim back.

I don't know why, but I love the song Taking My Ball. It's hilarious, the beat is cool, and the chorus is awesome. It's an underrated track.

The Contenders
11 8 Mile

"8 Mile" is one of my favorite movies, probably in the top 10 or 15. This seems like the fade of the original Eminem, as he got drug-addicted after the movie and had to go into rehab. And now he is pop-oriented or whatever. While everyone is into "Lose Yourself", I like "Rabbit Run", "Rap Game", and "8 Mile".

The album and movie are so awesome, especially Lose Yourself. It's one of the songs that pumps me up.

Lose Yourself and Rabbit Run are my favorite songs. So, I vote for this.

12 Hell: The Sequel

Why is this album #10? This album was fantastic, and the songs had meaning! Songs like Echo, Lighters, and Fast Lane are what rap is all about. Loud Noises featuring Slaughterhouse was impeccable. The album overall was fantastic, and I am truly disappointed at it being this low.

I LOVE THIS EP SO MUCH. This is the first time I heard the real Slim Shady back! Maybe he did bring Shady back on Relapse a little bit, but in a different direction. Recovery was an album where he was going through his problems. Recovery probably only brought out Shady in like Cold Wind Blows, and the untitled track. But listening to this, this is Slim Shady back, just listen to the lyrics and the flow. It's so badass. Listen to songs like Fastlane, The Reunion, I'm on Everything, A Kiss, and Loud Noises. Lighters was good too.

Awesome Album. Eleven incredible songs with two of the best rappers of our time. A true masterpiece from Royce and Eminem.

13 The Slim Shady EP

Slim Shady was born here! Eminem made an album with his own unique style. This extended play was produced before he became famous. You can't help but relate to or understand where he is coming from as he poetically spills his heart out on some cool ass beats.

This is the one that started it all! The first Slim Shady album, and a lot of songs here are better than the LP version of those songs.

I really wish this was on Spotify. It shows what has never been seen in rap before and got Dr. Dre's attention through Jimmy Iovine. If someone from Interscope had never gone to one of Eminem's rap battles, Eminem might have remained an underground artist and been as popular as Royce da 5'9".

14 Revival

Extremely underrated album. Truly classic. Here are just a few of the genius phrases from Revival:

Bad Husband - And I heard the mockingbird and got the urge to jot some verses and thoughts, the purpose.

Arose - Marry that girl because she is faithfully down.

Arose - I will be in the back of your memory. I know you'll never forget me, just don't get sad remembering.

Walk On Water - That Dresden home is burned to the ground, and all that's left of my house is lawn.

Like Home - You aren't ruining our country, punk, or taking pride from us, and you can't define us like a dictionary.

Nowhere Fast - Hardheaded and we are stubborn.

And many more. Second best after MMLP2.

In my opinion, I think it's better than "Encore," the other two "Re-" albums, and MMLP2. I'd rate it higher than the guy in the link did, but it isn't as good as his classics. Top 3, though. 8.5 - 9/10 easily. Don't get offended. Like I said, just my opinion.

Revival and Recovery are masterpieces. The other albums like Kamikaze and Relapse are just Marshall showing insane rapping skills.

15 Kamikaze

Eminem came back to his 2002 style. As soon as the album came out, there were mixed reactions from the community, some saying the old Slim Shady's back, and some getting mad about their favorite rapper being dissed by Em. To me, it was the best thing that happened to hip hop in 2018.

Favorite Song: Stepping Stone

There is nothing more Eminem than attacking other "rappers," and this album does that. He also just goes hard on quite a few tracks ("Not Alike" and "The Ringer") where he's just straight spitting nonstop. This album has it all, including great beats to jam to. I would rank this album #2 or 3 behind the MM LPs.

Not many people realize this, but this album's cover is inspired by the artwork of the Licensed to Ill album, which was made in the 1980s by a very underrated rock-rap group called the Beastie Boys. I'm not saying that you should try them, but it won't hurt, and they have many great songs.

16 Music to Be Murdered By

This album allows Eminem to adapt to the new standards set by the new generation while still delivering as strong, or even stronger, bars. It was a wise move for him, especially since he's 47, and there's a common belief that as you age, your run in this game is going to be over and you're washed up. However, with this project, he has effortlessly attracted both generations. This album will increase the replay value of his legacy.

17 Shady XV

It has a couple of good tracks like Detroit vs Everybody, Fine Line, Vegas, but I didn't find any interest in this album. I would rather listen to The Re-Up instead.

This is an awesome album. Love tracks featuring Slaughterhouse and Yelawolf.

Either this or Recovery is the best. Eminem did great work on this album!

18 Greatest Hits
19 Devil's Night - D12
20 The Freestyle Show
21 Just Finish It
22 Back to Basics
23 Music To Be Murdered By - Side B

His "Side B" was better than the original "Side A" and is close to his pre-Encore or Relapse-era work.

Best deluxe album in his discography.

24 Soul Intent

Even though this album is old and not the best quality, it contains some of Shady's oldest recorded songs. It is hard to recognize him in some of them, but it really gives you some insight into where Shady started.

25 F****** Crazy
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