Shady XV
by Eminem
  • Record Label: Shady
  • Release Date: Nov 24, 2014
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 384 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 257 out of 384
  2. Mixed: 58 out of 384
  3. Negative: 69 out of 384
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  1. joshootMi
    Feb 23, 2015
    10
    I am very confused. At a technical standpoint.. this has some of Em's best verses ever. Also.. how are the user reviews for "The Re-Up" higher than this? That's just weird. Overall songs like Psychopath Killer, Fine Line, and Right For Me are freakin incredible. I would give this at least an 8 but as an Eminem fan I gotta give it a 10.
  2. KaliburX3
    Apr 19, 2015
    1
    Eminem on the first Disc of the Double Album, tries to recreate what he is good at which is lyricism but it comes off as choppy with the terrible beats that he has picked out for each individual song it is hard to believe this is the same man that created some of his previous works. The only song that stood out on the first disc was 'Fine Line' which had a decent beat and EM rapping andEminem on the first Disc of the Double Album, tries to recreate what he is good at which is lyricism but it comes off as choppy with the terrible beats that he has picked out for each individual song it is hard to believe this is the same man that created some of his previous works. The only song that stood out on the first disc was 'Fine Line' which had a decent beat and EM rapping and flowing with it, the only thing that put this song down was the terrible hook and this is present in a lot of Eminem's recent work.… Expand
  3. BIGMAN22
    Apr 26, 2016
    1
    the thing that made eminem's past work good was his ability to rap with incredible wordplay over beats that worked well with his style. hell his last work MMlp2 displayed he hadnt lost his style despite the bland production on a few tracks. but one of the problems here is the greatest hits part. the part had no reason to be here. one CD containing new songs should've been enough without 2the thing that made eminem's past work good was his ability to rap with incredible wordplay over beats that worked well with his style. hell his last work MMlp2 displayed he hadnt lost his style despite the bland production on a few tracks. but one of the problems here is the greatest hits part. the part had no reason to be here. one CD containing new songs should've been enough without 2 cds being here. but that's not the case here sadly. Problem 2 here is Eminem's lyricism isn't as great as we seen on his past works. seems instead of riding the beats hes trying to out rhyme them. the production is poor as well not executing well as should be to flow with eminem's rapping. as a compilation album its one of the worst i heard in awhile. hopefully he finds his way again with a real studio album not and not another one of these.… Expand
  4. darlinghaynes
    Sep 5, 2015
    0
    no me gusta para nada el rap de este señor, es muy rapido y bueno haciendo sus versos pero a mi no me gusta nada, esta muy sobrevalorado a pesar de que no es relevante
  5. encoregaga
    Dec 16, 2017
    10
    "shadyxv" é uma das melhores musicas do eminem, "fine line" é um hino amo , eminem eu tw amooo aaaaa preciso preencher 150 caracters entao eminem reizinho do rap
  6. SuchiB14
    Nov 1, 2018
    7
    Em is really good on this album, so is Slaughterhouse and Royce. The greatest hits were disappointing, but the new stuff was slick.
  7. Diavoloo
    Jan 28, 2020
    10
    Overall songs like Psychopath Killer, Fine Line, and Right For Me are freakin incredible.
  8. RemyEm
    Dec 9, 2014
    10
    This album proved that technically Eminem is still untouchable in the game. He has incredible flow on "Vegas". Tracks like "Psychopath Killers" and "Detroit VS Everybody" have great instrumentals and hooks along with great lyrics from Big Sean, Royce, Em and Danny. Crooked I and Yelawolf took the album on another level. "Fine Line" is like the best on the album. It reminds you "The EminemThis album proved that technically Eminem is still untouchable in the game. He has incredible flow on "Vegas". Tracks like "Psychopath Killers" and "Detroit VS Everybody" have great instrumentals and hooks along with great lyrics from Big Sean, Royce, Em and Danny. Crooked I and Yelawolf took the album on another level. "Fine Line" is like the best on the album. It reminds you "The Eminem Show" era. This album is on repeat since the day of its release.… Expand
  9. Bruce3222
    Nov 30, 2014
    10
    There's nothing more to ask for from Eminem but to bring Slim Shady and do him the ultimate justice he didn't quite get on MMLP2. There are more WOW moments in this album than you could have expected so, it also has the element of suprise from the very first track, "Shady XV". "Psychopath Killer" "Vegas" and "Twisted" are album's best, of course there are lots of other songs that'll makeThere's nothing more to ask for from Eminem but to bring Slim Shady and do him the ultimate justice he didn't quite get on MMLP2. There are more WOW moments in this album than you could have expected so, it also has the element of suprise from the very first track, "Shady XV". "Psychopath Killer" "Vegas" and "Twisted" are album's best, of course there are lots of other songs that'll make you find yourself stucked to your phone or computer; like singles "Guts Over Fear" and "Y'all 'Ready Know" and D12's cut (first in many years, also) is pretty interesting. So, to sum up, I guess we have to say.... SHADY'S BACK!!!!!… Expand
  10. Tracingyourip
    Jan 22, 2015
    2
    Shady XV is a decomposing shell of what made Shady great. Speaking on the first album only every song that featured Eminem was ruined by Eminem. His awful ear for production and his choppy flow make most the songs on this album unbearable. Y'all Already Know and Detroit Vs. Everyone (up to the end of Danny Brown's Verse) are the only two songs worth salvaging from this sinking ship.Shady XV is a decomposing shell of what made Shady great. Speaking on the first album only every song that featured Eminem was ruined by Eminem. His awful ear for production and his choppy flow make most the songs on this album unbearable. Y'all Already Know and Detroit Vs. Everyone (up to the end of Danny Brown's Verse) are the only two songs worth salvaging from this sinking ship. However I cannot speak on behalf of the Yelawolf because I personally cannot stand his voice. So I have no opinion on his contribution to the album seeing I've heard those songs once. Eminem has traded his incredibly smooth delivery and ability to ride beats for his ever advancing technical ability. Something I believe is a bad thing.… Expand
  11. Hypocritics
    Nov 25, 2014
    10
    I've been waiting for this Eminem for a long time. MMLP2 was a great start, but he's honing on a production style, this rock/hip hop infused stuff, that really works. His rhymes as as sinister as ever, throwback to 2001 with this Iggy Azalea stuff. Eminem fans should be happy with this one.
  12. atotalnerdwiths
    Oct 18, 2015
    2
    so i loved marshal matters lp 2 and when i found he was making a new album i was so pumped. but it's a compilation album which i would be fine with if it was promoted as such and i felt cheated. but that's not why i hate this album it's that eminem's actual song he made for this album are complaning about his life in an album called SHADY XV he should be singing about murder and being aso i loved marshal matters lp 2 and when i found he was making a new album i was so pumped. but it's a compilation album which i would be fine with if it was promoted as such and i felt cheated. but that's not why i hate this album it's that eminem's actual song he made for this album are complaning about his life in an album called SHADY XV he should be singing about murder and being a maniac instead of how much he hates his life. their are some cool stuff for fan but besides that i felt ripped off.… Expand
  13. ryguy2109
    Feb 2, 2015
    7
    Eminem sounds hungry, fresh, and interesting. The songs have potency and evoke emotions. I thought the production was solid, and I like the way the album introduced Shady label in digestible bits, while Eminem was the glue of the project. As a persistent Eminem fan, this was a very satisfying collabo project
  14. kathryn531
    Nov 26, 2014
    9
    All around, a very enjoyable listen. Many of the tracks from the new album gave me goosebumps. I laughed out loud at Shady XV and how Eminem uses his old nasal voice. He's as introspective and self aware as always. Fine Line takes us back into the sometimes very troubled mind of Marshall Mathers. His singing is endearing and downright good at times on Twisted. He wisely featuredAll around, a very enjoyable listen. Many of the tracks from the new album gave me goosebumps. I laughed out loud at Shady XV and how Eminem uses his old nasal voice. He's as introspective and self aware as always. Fine Line takes us back into the sometimes very troubled mind of Marshall Mathers. His singing is endearing and downright good at times on Twisted. He wisely featured himself heavily on the new album to make his legions of fans happy and satisfied. His collaboration with Slaughterhouse on Psychopath Killer invoked a range of somewhat difficult to describe emotions in me. Yelawolf was superb on his Twisted verse. I've had it on nonstop loop since Monday. Yay--thank you, Eminem, for a rather unexpected early Christmas gift this year!… Expand
  15. RapCritic
    Nov 26, 2014
    9
    I've had this on repeat since it was released, really loving this one although the D12 song, Bane, was a little disappointing. Still can't wait for their album.
  16. Leonando_souza
    Dec 10, 2014
    0
    Terrivel... Ofensivo e sem sonoridade, isso define esse álbum Shady XV, precisamos de mais Kanye's na musica e muito menos Eminem's, o rapper tem muito a aprender ainda.
  17. wrath_of_khan
    Nov 28, 2014
    8
    While the new songs on this track are worth the price of admission, most of the greatest hits chosen don't belong. Vegas and SHADYXV are fantastic.
    For those wanting Shady back, he is here. However if you want to listen to some of the old stuff, the tracks on here simply aren't that great.
  18. musicmindful
    Dec 13, 2014
    7
    If someone was to say this was a 10/10 album then they would probably give that rank to any album that they like. Ive been listening to eminem for almost my whole like and i would say this album was better then mmlp2 and i actually enjoyed this album very much. The song twisted feat. Skylar grey and yelawolf is good although it doesnt have much of eminem in it, i could see this being theIf someone was to say this was a 10/10 album then they would probably give that rank to any album that they like. Ive been listening to eminem for almost my whole like and i would say this album was better then mmlp2 and i actually enjoyed this album very much. The song twisted feat. Skylar grey and yelawolf is good although it doesnt have much of eminem in it, i could see this being the most commercial song on the album along side with guts over fear. Lyrically this album is outstanding and is probably some of marshalls greatest word play and flowing albums. I would definitely recommend giving phychopath killer and vegas a listen before going straight to the more mainstream songs. This album also has some "okay" songs like "right for me" and "fine line" but i think it may take some time to grow on the listener. Its been a slow year for music and i could say that this album is not one that i think you should miss. 7.5/10… Expand
  19. kellenryan90
    Dec 21, 2014
    8
    Solid album. Very lyrical, very twisted, very funny and occasionally introspective. More songs by other Shady labelmates would've rounded out the album more however, and the D12 song is pretty generic. Psychopath Killer, Vegas, Y'all Ready Know, Fine Line and Twisted are highlights.
  20. Holocene
    Feb 26, 2015
    0
    Hell no...

    Raping Iggy Azalea? Punch Lana Del Rey twice?

    It seems that Eminem is dissing them for money...

    Not emotional.

    Eminem is not lyrical at this album at all, and it seems that he wouldn't be, forever.
  21. POKKOLLOKKO
    Jul 19, 2016
    0
    Eminem is the corniest rapper of all time. Of ALL TIME. I'm ashamed to be white, which says quite a lot, because even Donald Trump didn't make me feel this way. I hate Donald Trump. Kodak Black would murder Eminem any day of the week. And Kodak Black is a **** wank **** **** stain.

    Mamba out
  22. SeaBassMon
    Nov 26, 2014
    4
    Was expecting Eminem to showcase true rhyming ability coupled with better storytelling. MMLP2 was an album that bridged old Shady with new Marshall, and I sincerely enjoyed it. This album was a major letdown for me. The collaborations are adequate to extremely good - "Y'all Ready Know" is a solid piece of work involving a great crew, but other songs were so poorly written and the rhymeWas expecting Eminem to showcase true rhyming ability coupled with better storytelling. MMLP2 was an album that bridged old Shady with new Marshall, and I sincerely enjoyed it. This album was a major letdown for me. The collaborations are adequate to extremely good - "Y'all Ready Know" is a solid piece of work involving a great crew, but other songs were so poorly written and the rhyme scheme was out of whack at times. It felt, at times, as if Eminem was trying to outrap the beat and it created a dissonance that, if there was a good message to the rap it would have worked. I've listened to every Eminem CD from Infinite onwards and this one is probably my least favorite to date. There's no denying the quality in Eminem's rapping, and it shines in some of the songs. But overall the album left a bad taste in my mouth and was a poor followup to MMLP2.… Expand
  23. Nurkhan
    Nov 28, 2014
    2
    i was really expecting something great from this album. But if in earlier albums (except mmlp2) everything was perfect ( beat. voice . skills. meaning), this album is really weak. Beat is awful, his flow too/ i am dissapointed. Miss times when you could listen to all his songs in an album and not get bored, when his voice could make a lame song 100% better than it was at first place, wheni was really expecting something great from this album. But if in earlier albums (except mmlp2) everything was perfect ( beat. voice . skills. meaning), this album is really weak. Beat is awful, his flow too/ i am dissapointed. Miss times when you could listen to all his songs in an album and not get bored, when his voice could make a lame song 100% better than it was at first place, when his skills in rapping were ideal. my heart is broken because now i am totally don`t know who i m gonna listen to. Sorry for bad englisn… Expand
  24. Spangle
    Nov 29, 2014
    6
    As a whole, Shady XV is both disappointing and what I should have expected. These record label collaboration albums are always a mixed bag and this one is no exception. Thus, I will focus on individual artists. Royce da 5'9" and everyone else in Slaughterhouse were great. Lyrically on point with great flow and delivery. Their track “Y'all Ready Know” is the best on the album. “PsychopathAs a whole, Shady XV is both disappointing and what I should have expected. These record label collaboration albums are always a mixed bag and this one is no exception. Thus, I will focus on individual artists. Royce da 5'9" and everyone else in Slaughterhouse were great. Lyrically on point with great flow and delivery. Their track “Y'all Ready Know” is the best on the album. “Psychopath Killer” is also great, while Royce has the best verse on “Detroit vs. Everybody”. Yelawolf is also a winner here as his hook on “Psychopath Killer” is perfect, while his solo track “Down” is my second favorite here. He is also very strong on “Twisted”. In terms of losers, Eminem lost here. “Guts Over Fear” is good and “Shady XV” is pretty good. However, “Die Alone”, “Vegas”, “Fine Line”, and “Right for Me”, are all incredibly weak and scream of him trying to recreate old Eminem and falling flat on his face. As an Eminem stan, it kills me to say that, but is is entirely true. He is the weak link on all of those tracks thanks to terrible flow and delivery, in spite of his lyrics being strong throughout (except on “Vegas”, where they are incredibly juvenile for a 40+ year old man with a daughter almost in college). D12 also lost here as “Bane” is absolutely putrid. As a collective, “Y'all Ready Know”, “Down”, “Psychopath Killer”, “Guts Over Fear”, and “Twisted”, are the best tracks here. Meanwhile, “Vegas” and “Bane” stand out as the worst, though none of the Eminem solo tracks (other than “Guts Over Fear”) and “Detroit vs. Everybody” are good and certainly hold this album back from being better.… Expand
  25. KAG
    Mar 1, 2015
    9
    Loved the new material, especially Psychopath Killer, Twisted, Detroit vs. Everybody, and Fine Line. Down by Yelawolf is pretty catchy too. This is fresh, innovative and original stuff. It is almost futuristic-sounding! I'm not really sure why some are such harsh critics of this album. Eminem fans get to hear him on 9 of the 12 new tracks and we get to hear the talents of the rest ofLoved the new material, especially Psychopath Killer, Twisted, Detroit vs. Everybody, and Fine Line. Down by Yelawolf is pretty catchy too. This is fresh, innovative and original stuff. It is almost futuristic-sounding! I'm not really sure why some are such harsh critics of this album. Eminem fans get to hear him on 9 of the 12 new tracks and we get to hear the talents of the rest of the Shady crew on a most enjoyable collection.… Expand
  26. afroafroafro
    Dec 2, 2014
    0
    I have listened to shady for half of my life. You might practically say I grew up with his lirycs. And it was a blast. But now, theres just a retireing man, with some links to other crappy rappes that are his friends/whatever. What I'm trying to say is - don't buy this album. Don't even listen to it if you can help it. This isn't even an album its just a **** waste of time. I'm sorryI have listened to shady for half of my life. You might practically say I grew up with his lirycs. And it was a blast. But now, theres just a retireing man, with some links to other crappy rappes that are his friends/whatever. What I'm trying to say is - don't buy this album. Don't even listen to it if you can help it. This isn't even an album its just a **** waste of time. I'm sorry that eminem had to go that low for whetever the reason. WORST ALBUM EVER.… Expand
  27. geedup
    Nov 25, 2014
    6
    THis was a double disc release....thoguht to be reminicent of encore. But what we get is a full 2nd disc of songs previously released. Which, obviously makes my anticipation significantly less. Then listening to the CD, I can say M's lyrics are tight but with nothing new to say. I like the fact he is away from the "rock" infusion we heard recently from him-despite one track on this releaseTHis was a double disc release....thoguht to be reminicent of encore. But what we get is a full 2nd disc of songs previously released. Which, obviously makes my anticipation significantly less. Then listening to the CD, I can say M's lyrics are tight but with nothing new to say. I like the fact he is away from the "rock" infusion we heard recently from him-despite one track on this release in that category. But the "winning over losing" the songstress hook infused songs, the pill poppin has all been done-by him in particular. There is nothing new here. New word play for sure, but over the same subject matter.… Expand
  28. samyradwan
    Dec 9, 2014
    0
    This was pure ASS and i love shady he got me into hip hop but this album just purely sucks he needs to stop trying so hard to be a lyrical god and go back to just rapping and if he can't stop before you tarnish your legacy.
  29. StayClassie
    Dec 20, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Before I go into my take on the album, there is one thing that constantly pesters me about all Eminem reviews, and it's the same thing that everyone does when listening to his album. Instead of looking at the album individually everyone compares the album to Eminem's past work, most notably SSLP-TES Everyone I have spoken to about this album says it is a bad album because its not like his old work. They're all like, this album is bad because its not the "MMLP" and his songs aren't like his classics, such as, "Sing For The Moment," "Kill You," or "Just Don't Give A F***," to name a few. No they are not like these songs and to be honest no song out, by any artist, since those songs can compare with them. These songs are classic for a reason they are amazing, truly works of art, and when they came out no one was comparing them to old songs, they were just listening to the song and enjoying its content. Listeners can't expect to hear songs exactly like his old work because Eminem's done that already, he already rapped about that content on those classic songs why would he do it again. Another problem with people when it comes to Eminem, is the fact that everyone is so inconsistent on what they want from him. With his new songs, lets start with Recovery. People were not a fan of mature, grown up Eminem, yelling about his problems and begged for crazy Slim Shady to come back and a more lyrical Eminem. On "MMLP2", he did just mixed with Marshall Mathers. For the most part, people enjoyed "MMLP2" but once again everyone compares it to the "MMLP", which in retrospect is normal with an album that is named after his best selling album. However, the "MMLP2" wasn't a direct sequel, it was just revisiting the old style people loved mixed in with the new one. Once again, people still have a problem with Eminem, who was 41 at the time of the release, changing and want him to go back to how he was circa 1999-2003. Another aspect people noted on "MMLP2," was how Eminem is more focused on a lyrical aspect, with sick rhyme schemes, and a crazy flow and technical aspect in his lyricism, and he how he needs to focus on his punchlines and way with words. In other words they don't want what they asked for in 2010 after "Recovery." With the MMLP2, and Shady XV, finally talking about the album in review, people now have a problem with Eminem's "Slim Shady-like content." Wait, WHAT! Thats exactly what listeners said they wanted from Eminem, they wanted him to go back to Slim Shady, wasn't it?" Truly people who listen to Eminem, besides Stans, can never be happy with whatever Eminem is doing. Eminem, on Shady XV, is rapping about misogyny, making fun of women, raping women, violence towards women, the Boston Marathon bombing, his past, his male sex organ, and many, many, many sexual references and "inappropriate" topics all in a lyrical way with crazy rhymes and great wordplay. I'm pretty sure thats Slim Shady, in fact you can't get more Slim Shady than that. On a notable line on "Psychopath Killer," Eminem raps about having sex with the mother of a girl he mentioned in the previous line. In an interview in Germany, Eminem said the difference between Eminem and Slim Shady is Eminem would F*** you and Slim Shady would F*** you and your mother. This whole album sounds like Slim Shady content to me, but no people are saying its not Slim Shady, Why, because he doesn't hold his nose when he raps anymore? Eminem grew up, he matured, and sobered up he is not going to sound like a child anymore, in fact, he mentions holding his nostrils when he raps on "SHADYXV". "SHADYXV" is a hilarious opening 5 minute track, with no hook, filled with jokes, word play, references to "FACK," and the "Paul Skits," in something that truly feels like a 2014 version of classic Slim Shady in a good way if you actually just listen to the song. Everyone's problem with "SHADYXV" the album is how Eminem, is 42 and shouldn't be rapping about misogyny, raping women and all that stuff in this day and age. He is being inappropriate, childish, and has no respect for women, or anyone for that matter. No, he's being Slim Shady/Eminem. Earth to everyone, HE HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS. The thing was Eminem did this when people were more popular then him, now there's no one more popular than him and he stopped it for a while but he's back. So wait, now you don't want Slim Shady, you guys are saying you want more anger in Eminem with less homophobic lyrics, that's "Recovery". It's true everyone can't be happy with whatever Eminem's style is but honestly his lyrical aspect has never been stronger. Instead of listening to "ShadyXV" and comparing it to classic Eminem just listen to the album listen to the wordplay and the rhymes and see how great of an album it is on its own. Sure it doesn't flow or have a story like all other albums, but thats because its just a compilation album of Shady Records artists meant to show off their lyrical talent, which it did.… Expand
  30. sosezzusux
    Dec 15, 2014
    0
    Shady XV is undoubtedly my least favorite release of the year, somehow topping disappointments like Iggy Azalea's debut album (which, despite being a long time fan, I couldn't even bring myself to want to listen to). Eminem has approximately three good verses that are interesting and relatively in their messages. Despite many claims that his flow has changed, I would argue theShady XV is undoubtedly my least favorite release of the year, somehow topping disappointments like Iggy Azalea's debut album (which, despite being a long time fan, I couldn't even bring myself to want to listen to). Eminem has approximately three good verses that are interesting and relatively in their messages. Despite many claims that his flow has changed, I would argue the opposite--his flow is mostly the same, but somehow even more annoying, especially on Vegas.

    Unfortunately, the utter travesty that is the chorus and the production completely overpowers whatever semblance of decency there is. The vocal effects are annoyingly distracting, the beats don't at all compliment Eminem's aggressive verses, and the weird synth effects nearly made me cry. The intros to most of the songs are interchangeable and really kill the whole "psychopath" sound--the sound way too generically produced to be particularly unhinged sounding. The choruses are ridiculously repetitive and stretch on for an unnecessarily long time and the transitions to these choruses are pretty bad.

    At least on "Detroit Vs. Everybody," the most hyped upon song, the beats somehow managed to compliment Danny Brown's killer verse. Unfortunately for everyone else (especially Big Sean), their verses just aren't done the same honor by the production.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Most Discussed Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. PopMatters
    Jan 20, 2015
    60
    The “Greatest Hits” CD is made up more of deep cuts than big hits, but with a few well known tracks included. There is substantially less Eminem than on the first side.
    Read full review
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Dec 15, 2014
    50
    As a reminder of Eminem’s vocal showboating, ShadyXV is impressive. The problem--and it’s a persistent one--is that where once his anger was energetic, now it simply betrays lethargy.
    Read full review
  3. RapReviews.com
    Dec 9, 2014
    40
    Shady XV seems like it was made for: diehard fans of Marshall; and fresh kids who don't know no better. Otherwise, you'll probably have forgotten about the album by 2015, and 95% of the label's energy will soon be diverted to the next Eminem solo LP all over again.
    Read full review
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