Few albums have shaken up the music industry quite like The Marshall Mathers LP. Released in 2000, it transformed Eminem from a rising rap star into one of the most controversial and influential artists of his generation. Packed with raw lyricism, cutting social commentary, and some of the most iconic tracks in hip-hop history, the album continues to stand the test of time. But even after more than two decades, there are still some fascinating details about the album that many fans might not know. Here are five surprising facts about The Marshall Mathers LP that make it even more legendary.
1. The Album Almost Had a Different Name
Before settling on The Marshall Mathers LP, Eminem strongly considered naming the album Amsterdam. This was inspired by a wild trip he took to the city after The Slim Shady LP’s release, where he and his crew indulged in the city’s liberal drug culture. The experience greatly influenced some of the album’s themes, particularly his unfiltered approach to discussing substance use. Ultimately, he opted for The Marshall Mathers LP to reflect the deeply personal and introspective nature of the record, which explored his real-life struggles, fame, and relationships beyond the Slim Shady persona.
2. “Stan” Almost Didn’t Happen—And The Original Version Was Lost
One of the most iconic songs on the album, Stan—which tells the chilling story of an obsessive fan—was built around a sample of Dido’s Thank You. But what most people don’t know is that Eminem’s first recording of the song was accidentally erased by an engineer. While recording at a studio, Eminem requested to redo just the last three lines, but the engineer mistakenly rewound the tape all the way back and recorded over the entire third verse. Despite the setback, Eminem re-recorded it, though he later admitted that he felt the lost version was even better than the final one fans know today.
3. “The Real Slim Shady” Was a Last-Minute Addition
Believe it or not, The Real Slim Shady wasn’t originally planned for the album. Interscope Records’ Jimmy Iovine pressured Eminem to include a lead single that could match the impact of My Name Is, the breakout hit from The Slim Shady LP. With the album already complete, Eminem and Dr. Dre went back to the studio and created The Real Slim Shady just hours before the final copy of the album was due. The song’s satirical take on pop culture and its infectious hook made it an instant hit, giving Eminem his first number-one single in the UK and winning him a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance.
4. Eminem Wrote “Kim” in One Sitting—And It’s a Prequel to Another Song
Kim is arguably the most intense and disturbing song on The Marshall Mathers LP, depicting a violent altercation between Eminem and his then-wife. What’s even more shocking is that he wrote the entire song in one sitting while under the influence of ecstasy. Originally, he intended to write a love song, but after watching a romantic movie alone in a theater, he flipped the idea on its head and created a horror story in musical form. Kim actually serves as a prequel to ’97 Bonnie & Clyde from The Slim Shady LP, explaining the events leading up to that song’s dark narrative.
5. The Album Almost Broke a U.S. Sales Record
When The Marshall Mathers LP dropped, industry insiders predicted it would be massive—but no one anticipated just how massive. The album sold 1.78 million copies in its first week, making it the fastest-selling rap album in U.S. history at the time. It came remarkably close to breaking the all-time first-week sales record set by No Strings Attached by NSYNC, which had sold 2.4 million copies earlier that year. Despite missing the top spot, The Marshall Mathers LP remains one of the best-selling hip-hop albums of all time, with over 25 million copies sold worldwide.
More than two decades after its release, The Marshall Mathers LP continues to be one of the most influential hip-hop albums ever made. Its raw storytelling, fearless lyricism, and cultural impact made Eminem one of rap’s greatest artists.
