The Marshall Mathers LP 2 by Eminem

The Marshall Mathers LP 2 is the eighth studio album by American rapper Eminem. It was released on November 5, 2013 by Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records. This album serves as a sequel to his third album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). Dr. Dre and Rick Rubin served as executive producers for The Marshall Mathers LP 2. It was recorded from 2012 to 2013 with several producers, including Rick Rubin, Luis Resto, Emile Haynie, and Alex da Kid. The Marshall Mathers LP 2 also features guest appearances from Skylar Grey, Rihanna, Nate Ruess, and rapper Kendrick Lamar, among others. The album title was revealed during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards on August 25, 2013, alongside a preview of its lead single "Berzerk", which subsequently peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was followed by two more singles: "Survival" and "Rap God"; the former debuted at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the latter debuted at number 7 and became certified quadruple platinum by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the United States. "The Monster", featuring Rihanna, was released as the album's fourth single on October 29, 2013; it went number one in several countries and was certified sextuple platinum in the United States. The album's fifth single "Headlights", featuring Ruess, was released on February 5, 2014. The Marshall Mathers LP 2 received positive reviews from critics, who praised Eminem's technical rapping abilities and production choices. The album marked an improvement in reception over Eminem's previous three albums, and was named on multiple "Albums of the Year" year-end lists. It also debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and was the second-best selling album sales of 2013. As of early 2014, the album has sold 3.8 million copies worldwide. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 57th Grammy Awards. It is Eminem's final album to have the involvement of the independent label Web Entertainment.