Revival (Eminem album)

Revival (Eminem album)
source
Name	Revival
Type	studio
Artist	Eminem
Released	December 15, 2017
Recorded	2016–2017
Studio	Effigy Studios, Detroit; various studios
Genre	Hip hop
Length	76:17
Label	Shady, Aftermath, Interscope
Producer	Rick Rubin, Dr. Dre, Emile Haynie, Skylar Grey, Fred Ball, Eminem
Prev title	The Marshall Mathers LP 2
Prev year	2013
Next title	Kamikaze
Next year	2018

Revival (Eminem album) is the ninth studio album by American rapper Eminem, released on December 15, 2017, through Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. The record features collaborations with artists including Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, P!nk, Kehlani, X Ambassadors, Adele (sampled), and producers such as Rick Rubin and Dr. Dre. Thematically, the album blends political commentary, personal reflection, and pop-rap crossovers, generating polarized responses from critics and sparking debate across music publications and news outlets like Billboard and Rolling Stone.

Background and recording

Following the commercial and critical attention for The Marshall Mathers LP 2, Eminem reunited with long-time collaborators and new producers for sessions spanning Detroit and Los Angeles, involving Rick Rubin, Dr. Dre, Alex da Kid, Havoc (musician), and Emile Haynie. Recording occurred amid public events including the 2016 United States presidential election and cultural responses to figures such as Donald Trump and movements like Black Lives Matter, which informed lyrical direction. Guest vocalists were brought in through connections to labels like Shady Records and managers associated with Paul Rosenberg (music executive). The production incorporated live instrumentation, samples from artists including Adele and references to the catalog of Bob Dylan and Nirvana-era sonics, while sessions used studios tied to Rick Rubin and Aftermath Entertainment.

Composition and lyrics

Musically, the album blends hip hop with pop-rock, soul, and gospel influences drawing on the styles of Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Queen, and contemporary pop figures such as Adele and Ed Sheeran. Songs range from politically charged tracks referencing Donald Trump and policy debates to confessional cuts addressing Eminem's struggles with addiction, past relationships with public figures like Kim Mathers, and career retrospection invoking Dr. Dre and 50 Cent. The lyricism alternates between multi-syllabic internal rhyme schemes reminiscent of work with Proof (rapper) and hook-driven choruses intended for radio play alongside voices like Beyoncé and P!nk. Production choices included sparse, stripped-down beats on tracks recalling Rick Rubin collaborations and dense, layered productions akin to Mark Ronson and Alex da Kid.

Release and promotion

The album was announced via social media accounts associated with Eminem and Paul Rosenberg (music executive), accompanied by the release of promotional singles and teasers premiered on stations such as Beats 1 and publications including Pitchfork and Complex (magazine). A high-profile campaign featured livestream appearances and televised spots on programs hosted by figures like Jimmy Kimmel and outlets tied to MTV and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Promotional tie-ins included performances and interviews at events connected to Billboard and iHeartRadio, with distribution managed by Interscope Records and marketing overseen by teams linked to Shady Records.

Singles and music videos

Lead singles and promotional tracks featured collaborations and videos that referenced public figures and cultural touchstones. "Walk on Water" featured Beyoncé and premiered alongside a performance-oriented video invoking imagery comparable to clips by Kanye West and Jay-Z. "River" featured Ed Sheeran with narrative visuals exploring themes of consequence similar to videos by Eminem's contemporaries like Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Other singles included collaborations with P!nk and appearances by artists affiliated with Aftermath Entertainment. Music videos were released on platforms connected to YouTube channels operated by Interscope Records and promoted across networks such as BET and VH1.

Critical reception

Upon release, the album elicited mixed to negative reviews from critics at outlets including Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, The Guardian, NME, and Spin (magazine). Some reviewers praised the technical skill and production contributions from veterans like Rick Rubin and Dr. Dre, while others criticized the album's length, pop-leaning collaborations with Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran, and lyrical focus on politics and contemporary figures such as Donald Trump. Academic and cultural commentators in publications like The New York Times and The Atlantic debated the album's role in Eminem's oeuvre compared to landmark works such as The Slim Shady LP and The Marshall Mathers LP, noting a split between commercial ambition and critical expectations.

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and achieved top positions in international charts including the UK Albums Chart and the Canadian Albums Chart, driven by first-week sales and streaming totals tracked by Nielsen SoundScan and Official Charts Company. Certification organizations such as the Recording Industry Association of America and the British Phonographic Industry later awarded sales-based certifications. Singles from the album charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned radio play across networks monitored by MRC Data and Nielsen Audio.

Track listing and personnel

The album's tracks feature songwriting and production credits spanning veterans and contemporaries: producers Rick Rubin, Dr. Dre, Emile Haynie, Alex da Kid, and contributors including Skylar Grey, Fred Ball, and Eminem himself. Guest vocalists include Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, P!nk, Kehlani, and X Ambassadors, with engineering and mixing handled by professionals associated with Aftermath Entertainment and studios linked to Rick Rubin. Detailed credits enumerate instrumentalists, background vocalists, and technical staff who participated in sessions across Detroit and Los Angeles.

Category:2017 albums Category:Eminem albums