Mic Navarro's Corner: Shady XV ALBUM REVIEW

For fifteen years, Eminem has silently lead one of hip hop's most successful labels of all time. Shady Records. I say silently because if you bring up the conversation of the best rap labels and/or cliques all time, the usual suspects get named. Death Row, Bad Boy, Cash Money, Ruff Ryders, Roc-A-Fella and so on. Shady Records seems to always get missed. Despite it, the label has held on and lasted this long because of all the success and talent Eminem has brought on over the years. From D12 and Obie Trice, to 50 Cent and G-Unit, to Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse. Eminem knew what it took to build the perfect rap army and should be recognized more for that besides him being one of the greatest lyricist ever. So, to commemorate Shady Records fifteenth anniversary, Eminem has put together this label compilation album. Shady XV. After listening to this, I thought for what this album was, it was pretty dope. Originally I was made to believe that this would be an Eminem album with just features from Shady artists but it's not that at all (although Eminem is doing a lot of the heavy lifting on here). The album comes as two discs. The first one, disc X, is all new music (which I'll be reviewing). The second disc, disc V, is Shady Records greatest hits. Songs like "In Da Club", "Lose Yourself", "My Band", "P.I.M.P." etc. So I won't review that disc because y'all already know about those songs. But anyway, this album was dope. Nothing but dope lyrics and dope production. As you would expect from any project Eminem is involved with. So with that said, here's the break down:

1. ShadyXV (by Eminem)

Well...the album begins here with Eminem being...Eminem. Another over the top lyrical slaying on a very happy production. Nothing but the typical hilarious, rude, misogynistic and and straight up shock lyrics that he's been doing for years. Sounds like he pretty much freestyled this song. Dope overall though.

2. Psychopath Killer (by Slaughterhouse featuring Eminem and Yelawolf)

This is one of the rare instances where you see Eminem, Slaughterhouse and Yelawolf come together on one track. Well in this instance, it was awesome. First I like the production with the haunting piano keys and the even more haunting background vocals. It totally fits the mood of the album and matches the song title perfectly. Although I would have liked to heard a verse from Yelawolf, I really liked him on this hook. Of course lyrically the song is on point. Everyone did their thing here. Awesome song here.

3. Die Alone (by Eminem featuring Kobe)

If it's one thing we've learned over the years is that Eminem always have relationship issues. He always has such a vivid way of describing the drama between him and some chick and that's the case here. It sounds like he can't stand the fact that they are broken up now and has dreams that he'll see her again when both of them are gone. I'm kinda shocked to see this kind of song on a compilation album like this instead of one of his albums. Sounds like it could have fit well on The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (a few songs on here do for that matter). But overall the songs okay at best. It will have to grow on me some more.

4. Vegas (by Bad Meets Evil)

At first listen I didn't like this but it grew on me quick after more listens. I do like the distorted heavy metal sounding beat. Both Em and Royce bring the heat lyrically but of course Em just stands out. Crazy word play ("but I bet if I lick her (liquor) she'll try to chase me), and taking shots at females like Kesha, Foxy Brown and even imitates Nicki Minaj's flow. This track was cool because it took me back to that awesome Bads Meets Evil album Hell: The Sequel from 2011. Hopefully they drop another one.

5. Y'all Ready Know (by Slaughterhouse)

Of every song on this album, this is the first one that I immediately pressed the repeat button right after the first listen. There's nothing like a awesome, boom-bap production from DJ Premier. All the members of Slaughterhouse have their own style and flow but over this beat it flowed so well together that you can barely spot their differences. This is nothing but pure hip hop. Dope lyrics over an authentic hip hop beat. I love it.

6. Guts Over Fear (by Eminem featuring Sia)

Well we all know Eminem never shy away from pop features. Usually they end up being singles...just like this is. This is one of those songs where Em just vents about the highs and lows of his life and career. Things he wish he had done different, things he hope to change now and in the future and so on. I thought Sia's hook was a just little bit too much. She has so many lines on it that it sounds like a verse. But it's easy to see why this is a single because it's one of two songs on the album that sounds anything close to it. Not sure how I feel about this song yet. I guess I'm on the fence.

7. Down (by Yelawolf)

This is the second song I ended up repeating after the first listen. I loved this fast paced guitar filled beat. The intensity of it gives it an adrenaline rush feel. Like a high speed chase as the beginning sound effect depicts. Only Yelawolf does beats and sounds like this justice because of his southern country style and his unique flow. It just takes me back to both his projects. Trunk Muzik 0-60 and Radioactive. Awesome hype song.

8. Bane (by D12)

Man...this song is so nostalgic for me. It seems like it has been fifteen years since I heard a new D12 track. It's refreshing to hear them again. Anyway, I did like this. The beat, done of course by Mr. Porter (aka Kon Artis), sounds very evil and eerie. Which is right up their alley. It feels weird hearing them with out Proof (RIP). But it is good to see that they haven't changed with they're hilarious shock lyrics and humorous antics. Songs is good overall. I like it.

9. Fine Line (by Eminem)

This song is very much similar to "Guts Over Fear" in content. He's basically talking about the struggles dealing with a life a fame. How there is a "fine line" between goods and the bads of it. It just seems to me that the fame to him is getting tiring and just wish his could live a normal life at times. I think a lot of celebrities hit this point in their career where money fame and popularity just isn't at all what it was and they get sick of it. Song likes this just sounds like Em is really in an office talking to a psychiatrist and just venting everything. He's done that a lot and it doesn't change here.

10. Twisted (by Skylar Grey, Eminem and Yelawolf)

One pop feature that Eminem has had a lot of recent success with is Skylar Grey. Here they do a duet together where Eminem is singing with her. It's been quite a long time since we've heard him singing so this was interesting. They sing together about "twisted", dysfunctional and out of control relationship. You don't often hear Yelawolf dapple in love songs but man his verse on here was one of the best on the album. This song has just as much single potential as "Guts Over Fear". In fact, it could probably do better as a single.

11. Right For Me (by Eminem)

Here we have another lyrical massacre by Eminem. This beat is the most creepiest on the album. It has these eerie drum/snare/horn combo that sounds something like a haunted carnival from hell. Which something like that goes right with all the horror-core lyrics on this song. Even the singing on the hook sounds like something out of a nightmare. The title references how he believe no woman is right for him. Even thought he only makes note of that on the last line of each verse. All in all it's a dope song. Creepy as hell...but dope.

12. Detroit vs. Everybody (by Eminem, Royce Da 5'9", Big Sean, Danny Brown and Dej Loaf)

You can begin the argument right now. This is probably the collaboration of the year. This was the song I was looking forward to hearing the most once I saw all who was involved. Royce and Eminem both did their lyrical duties as usual (although I think Em kinda held back from really going in. I guess so he doesn't kill everyone on here). Danny Brown brought his usual wacky and animated style. The surprise was Big Sean who in general doesn't even fit with the people on here but he held his own I must say. Then Dej Loaf, who's has gotten very popular of her single "Try Me", does a simple yet dope hook. Five different styles and it all came together nicely. It makes you really see how different MC's out of Detroit really are when most thought they were all the same. Awesome record and an awesome anthem for the motor city.

In closing, I thought the album was dope for what it was. A perfect way to celebrate fifteen years of Shady Records and showcase it's past, present and future. I give it a final grade of a B+. So what's next for Shady records? What will the next fifteen years consist of? Honestly, at the rate Eminem is going, he could do this until he's over 50. With vets like D12, Obie Trice and 50 Cent, the newer guys like Slaughterhouse and Yelawolf, and the potential new acts that Eminem will bring along in the future, Shady will continue to grow and continue to get better and better. He has an ear for talent so I know whoever tags along next will make the team much better. Here's to fifteen years of dope music. Congratulations. End.

Final Grade: B+