A Review of Hell: The Sequel by Bad Meets Evil

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How does one review an album/EP that's been anticipated for longer than Dr. Dre's Detox album which feels like its been in production forever (12 years to be exact but Dre, release the fucking album already). As unbelievable as that seems, it is the case with Hell: The Sequel, Bad Meets Evil's debut album, one which was originally talked about way back in 1997 even before Eminem's Slim Shady LP came out. Royce Da 5'9 (Bad) and Eminem (Evil) met in the late 90's and released their first single as Bad Meets Evil called Nuttin' to do. The duo would look to release a full length album together but before that happened, Eminem went to California to work with Dre on his critically acclaimed and commercially successful "debut" album (Infinite was first but no one calls it his debut for some reason) The Slim Shady LP. Em and Royce's relationship was still very strong at the time which led to Marshall calling Royce to Cali to work on Dre's sophomore album 2001 (Royce ended up writing the song "The Message" for Dre which ended up on the final cut of the CD.). After the release of 2001 Em and Royce still frequently collaborated, the most memorable being Rock City, a song off Royce's debut album of the same name.

Things all went downhill for the duo after the release of Rock City as Royce and the members of D12 got involved in a public falling out or in hip-hop terms: beef (does anyone know how that term started?) which led to several diss tracks made by both parties (Eminem was never involved with the diss tracks but people have speculated that he did address the issue in the song "How Come") and the end of Eminem and Royce's relationship for the time being. Eventually the two motor city rappers would reconcile their friendship; possibly due to the death of mutual longtime friend Proof who got killed in 2006, something that might have brought the two closer together. They would begin to make music together again shortly after Eminem and his label Shady Records signed Slaughterhouse (a hip-hop group that consists of Joe Budden, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz and Royce Da 5'9) which brings me to the point of this article in the first place (I felt that the history of the group was important in writing a review for their album so that is the reason for the first two paragraphs).

Eminem - Old and New

Tweet I've been listening to Eminem since the Marshall Mathers (MM) LP was released back in 2000. I think it's accurate to say that it was his peak. Even though critics seem to favor the Slim Shady LP over the MM LP, for the majority of Eminem fans, the battle is between the MM LP and the Eminem Show. There is a good argument for both sides, whether it is the quantity of good songs on each album, or the quality of the songs on the album. Regardless, those two albums set the bar so high that Eminem himself hasn't come near it, and probably never will. Encore was a disappointment, and Relapse was ruined by the accent he used throughout the album. Recovery was an attempt to regain credit among critics and his fans, and for the most part, it worked. The album was good, but it should not be compared to the albums which placed him so high up in the music industry. The first reason is that it really just does not measure up to the other albums. The album had numerous good songs, but if you compare it on a song by song basis with the other albums, MM LP and Eminem Show will be the winners. As someone who has listened to Eminem for 11 years, you can trust my opinion when I tell you the old albums are superior to his new one. The second reason that the album is not as good as Eminem's new style. I'm not implying that it is bad. However, if a rapper came into the game with one style and managed to earn the respect and consideration that he did with that style of rap, it may be difficult to argue and say he can create a style that will be better. In the Slim Shady LP and MM LP, Eminem showed through his music and lyrics that he really does not care what others think, and that he is not afraid to speak his mind about controversial topics. This is seen in songs such as Just (and Still) Don't Give a F***, Kill You, and Criminal, among other songs. He looked and acted very immaturely, but that was his charm; it was what made him an icon for his fans and for upcoming musical artists. Eminem's new style is, and this is a fact, somewhat angry. I respect him for pulling through when he overdosed and I am thankful he is alive so he can continue to satisfy his fans. He is a much more serious person for it, and it is shown through his style of rap. Lyrically, Eminem hasn't really fallen by much, but, in my opinion, he is making too many personal songs. Back in his prime, Eminem had many songs in which he expressed his opinions, but he is focusing more on telling people his story in his newer songs. If Eminem can somehow shift back into his old style, less angry, and focus less on personal topics and more on expressing himself, he might just be able to reach that bar he set so high back in 2000. I don't doubt that some people will disagree with some of my opinions about his new style of rap, but the majority of people should agree with me when I say that Eminem's old music was his best. I haven't mentioned Infinite because I personally do not like it as much. I consider some of the songs to be good, but I am not a repeated listener of them. Regardless, I still acknowledge the quality of the songs on that album, and for people who like that style, I am sure they would put that album among his best. For now, Eminem can continue making music in his current style, but I would like to see the old Eminem once again, though I know that it is unlikely, and therefore unfortunate.

I will continue writing posts about Eminem as he continues making music. There will also be a post about who should be considered the best rapper and the reasons for it. In my opinion, Eminem is the greatest, but that's for another time.